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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baby measuring big

11 replies

Fae1989 · 30/05/2019 17:25

Hello all,
I am in a bit of a flap and could use some advice. My regular midwife was on holiday when I was measured at 27 weeks (my appointments are a bit ahead) and measured me at 28 - which was apparently on the big side but nothing to worry about. My regular midwife measured me at exactly 30 weeks as being 29. She referred me for a scan citing it could be static growth (again, said it was nothing to worry about and probably just that different midwives had measured me).

Went for the growth scan today and baby is measuring big! He's estimated to be 4lbs already at 30+2 (and his stomach was measuring as if he was 32+6).

I am relatively slim, no health concerns or diabetes in the family. I've been told I have to have a glucose tolerance test which has worried me something chronic. I spoke to my regular midwife who said not to worry too much, that there's no glucose in my urine at regular appointments and that I don't really have the risk factors.

I'd appreciate any advice anyone has!

Many thanks :)

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Mikewazowskismrs · 30/05/2019 17:45

All I can say is take these things with a pinch of salt and try not to stress.

My bmi was over 30 and have a family history of diabetes but gtt was fine however baby was on 96th centile and I was induced because of it!

He was born at 39 + 5 at just 8.2lbs so they often get it wrong !

Shadow1234 · 30/05/2019 18:07

First off, congratulations on your pregnancy.

Agree with 'Mike'. - My daughter also measured big throughout her pregnancy and had 4 or 5 growth scans in total. At 39 weeks she was told her baby would definitely be over 9lb, and the lady doing the scan even commented that baby had a very rounded pot belly! (not sure how relevant that was tbh).

My daughter was induced two days before her due date (due to a failed sweep that broke her waters accidentally), and ended up giving birth to a beautiful baby girl weighing 7lb 15oz, very much in proportion, and without a pot belly!

With regard the glucose test, my daughter had this with both pregnancies, (both negative), I wouldn't worry too much about it, just see it as extra monitoring, and a reassurance, more than a worry. (but if it was to come back positive, it's good to know that it's all in hand and can be treated immediately).

Good luck x

DoingItForTheKids · 31/05/2019 09:39

As tough as it is, I agree these things are unfortunately still so unreliable that they are likely to be completely wrong so try to relax and not worry.

I don't know how we haven't managed to get better at this stuff. Sizing babies seems to still be wildly inaccurate. One consultant told me babies are likely to be + or - 3lbs their estimated weight and another said measurements are usually about a 15% variance.

Last time my baby measured straight down the middle centile, estimated 8lb and she was 10lb 2. This time they have done loads of measurements and extra scans and say it's not a big baby but I still expect it to be!

My 'big baby' birth was uncomplicated with minor tears and so I'm hoping to go naturally this time again. Big babies don't mean difficult births. Good luck.

Original poster

Fae1989 · 01/06/2019 07:57

Thank you all so much :)

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Crackery · 01/06/2019 07:59

I was also told I measured big from 20sometjing weeks onwards . I did look pretty big. Freaked me out a wee bit.

I had ds 12 days early at 6lbs 11 so he was bang on average!

NorthernRunner · 01/06/2019 08:00

Oh don’t worry, it’s so difficult to measure size of baby in the womb. I can recall at least 4 close friends who were all told incorrect information about the size of their babies. (And the weight wasn’t just a touch off, it was very wrong)

Original poster

Fae1989 · 01/06/2019 22:19

Thank you all. @Crackery - did you have to have the glucose tolerance test? Weirdly I think I look quite small (which obviously means nothing haha!) 6lbs 11 is the perfect size! I do wonder if babies that come a bit earlier measure a bit bigger because they've been destined to come earlier all along? If that makes sense.

What worries me is the way they worded it. The midwife certainly didn't say it was routine (which is what my midwife said when I called her in a panic) and the sonographer kept referencing his big belly as 'enormous'. I've had my anxiety under control throughout this pregnancy but this has tipped me over the edge. It's really worried me :/

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smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 01/06/2019 22:35

@Fae1989 don't know if it helps but I was given an app for a glucose tolerance test at the same time I was given my date for my 12 week scan, it's in September! This is because of a high BMI and not based on any issues I've had in my pregnancy. I do know of women who've had GD and they've all gone on to be absolutely fine and their babies were too so even if it is "the worst" you'll both still be fine.

Crackery · 01/06/2019 22:42

I can't remember about the glucose tolerance test. Sorry. (Was 15 yrs ago)

They monitored me quite closely as I moved house - about 150 miles- at week 32. When I arrived in new city GP seemed quite convinced that I wouldn't go to term. I took no notice. But did go early!

When ds was born he was totally perfect but the skin on his wee hands felt a bit plasticy. MIL ( retired GP) said that showed the start of pre- eclampsia in me...

Original poster

Fae1989 · 01/06/2019 22:51

@DoingItforthekids - I forgot to say, I agree that it's bizarre that they can still be so out on the these things! Here's hoping things are straightforward for both of us! :)

@Smartcarnotsosmartdriver - an app? That sounds good, better than the anxiety of waiting for a test and then loitering in a hospital for two hours! Thank you, I know this in my mind but I've always been pretty healthy and it just freaks me out. I just want to know now, which makes me sound incredibly impatient but it's the joys of an over anxious brain!

@Crackery - sounds like it was good that he came early if you were starting with pre-eclampsia! It also sounds like they haven't made much progress with sizing based on scans etc.

I think it's good that they're so cautious but to someone with pretty much no risk factors I just feel like it causes extra anxiety and cost to the NHS - given that they can't rely on a scan which has something of an error margin. I'll still have it done but if they offer again (and it's negative the first time) I might refuse :/

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Bjones123 · 02/06/2019 09:24

I had a GTT at 26 weeks because my bmi was 30.1 on my check-in appointment but my midwife wasn't worried as she felt this was literally just over the mark. Everything came back fine with no indication of gestational diabetes. The only thing is prepare for how disgusting the drink is they give you!

I had a private growth and wellbeing scan due to anxiety and they measured baby as being 2 weeks ahead so I'm preparing for larger baby, but midwife says they can be inaccurate just like the bump measurements, it's all a lot of guessing still it seems!

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