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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Fundal height measuring big

40 replies

RGPargy · 08/08/2007 13:04

Can someone tell me what this actually means? I went to the MW this morning and she measured me at 27cm, when i should have been 24cm.

She said 3cm either way was ok, otherwise we'd have to worry. Worry about what exactly?

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Tinkjon · 08/08/2007 19:07

I wouldn't worry about it RGP - I was measuring 4 weeks too big a fortnight ago but today I measured exactly right. My midwife said that the baby could just have had a growth spurt the last time I was measured. Also it's not actually the baby they're measuring, it's the uterus - so the baby could be any size within that. m/w said it was a rather medieval way of measuring...

And yes, GTT isn't to tell you whether something's wrong with the baby, only to tell you whether you have GD or not, so don't worry about the baby, Hayley! When women have well-controlled GD, the baby is usually completely unaffected.

mears · 08/08/2007 19:14

Don't worry - it is so inaccurate we don't measure bumps in our unit!

bananabump · 08/08/2007 19:22

Mears, can I ask you a really quick question?

(RGPargy so sorry for brief thread hijack!)

I'm in slow or early labour, been getting painful contractions since midnight but really irregular. Have had a bloody show and can't really talk through contractions, but they're being really weird! If I sleep/walk around/take a bath they stop, if I sit on my arse and do nothing they get nice and regular. They're painful and obviously doing something down there as I can feel baby being squeezed down against my cervix (ouch) Do you think they're braxtons even despite all of that? Should I just ignore them as much as possible and get on with my day? I don't want to call the hospital to ask in case they think I'm going to be a pita... any advice appreciated!

mears · 08/08/2007 19:42

If they stop when you are in the bath then you are not in established labour. Sounds as though they are more than Braxton Hicks though.

I would ignore them as much as you can. Eat snackes and have as many baths as you need to be comfortable.

Rest if you want to - don't keep walking around to try and get them going as you will end up exhausting yourself before labour starts in earnest.

You will find that when they become stronger you will not want to sit through them.

It is best to stay at home as long as you possibly can. When you are in true labour your contractions will become very rhythmical and will last longer and be more painful.

How far away from the hospital are you?

bananabump · 08/08/2007 20:08

Thanks I really appreciate your advice, I wish I hadn't paid attention so soon! I'm only 5 mins away from the hospital.

Tutter · 08/08/2007 20:10

my mw measured me 39cm at 29 weeks

there ensued hospital referral and fortnightly scans

all were agreed i was going to have a big baby - estimated to be 97th centile

ds2 was born 3 weeks ago, weighing in at 7lb 6oz

mears · 08/08/2007 22:55

If you are only 5 minutes away from the hospital I would stay at home until your contractions are coming at least 3 every 10 minutes and lasting 60 seconds or more. You want them to stop you in your tracks that you have to lean on something and breathe through them.

No need to go in unless you are concerned about baby's movements, you have bleeding (not just sticky 'show' or your waters break and look green in colour.

Good luck

bananabump · 08/08/2007 23:10

Thanks. I was a bit undecided what to do because at the back of my mind I'm thinking about what the anaesthetist I saw a few weeks back said: he recommended I have an early epidural as soon as I thought I was in labour, so when contractions were still 10 or 15 mins apart.

But it seems stupid to have an epidural before it hurts, just for their convenience (I'm overweight, no other health problems at all) I've since heard that a lot of doctors want to get a line in early because they assume that all big women will need assistance or a section. I have no intention of adding to their statistics. Every midwife I've spoken to thinks epidurals aren't necessary UNTIL you're in pain and none of them have said they think I'll have any problems in labour!

It's times like this you wish you had a crystal ball!

mears · 08/08/2007 23:18

Do you want an epidural?

mears · 08/08/2007 23:23

Just in case I am gone when you come back, you are right that there is an expectation that 'larger' women may have complications therefore an epidural is a good idea.
However, an epidural itself can interrupt the natural flow of labour and can in itself cause problems that need intervention such as contractions slowing down therefore the need for hormone drip to get them going again. It can also cause you to have difficulty pushing because you lose the urge to puch, therefore making vacuum or forcep delivery more likely.

On the otherhand, if an epidural is the type of pain relief you want then it is best put in while you have space between contractions to be able to sit still. Having 3 contractions in 10 mintes should be fine for that.

lulumama · 08/08/2007 23:24

what mears said

and best of luck if this is 'it', if not, then try to get some rest, and it won;t be long now x

bananabump · 08/08/2007 23:43

Sorry, was off talking to dp. I don't know if I want an epidural, to be honest all I want is to get through it with minimal trauma to baby, mind and body. The anaesthetist did say I could have a low dose one, made it out to be wonderful stuff. Even though I know it's going to get a lot worse I can't help but think I'll probably cope ok with G+A and stuff, and I'd like to be able to see what the pain is like before I make that choice.

As I said, I wish I had a crystal ball. I'm going to bed, thanks once again for your advice guys.

3madboys · 08/08/2007 23:59

good luck bananabump

just a quick point in relation to the op, i think fundal heights are not all that relevant to the babies size, all three of my bumps measured small and with the first two they insisted on growth scans to check babies size, they said ds1 would be 5lb he was 8lb 7oz, ds2 they again thought would be 5lb he was 9lb 3oz, they tried to say the same about ds3, i ignored them as i knew he was healthy, consultant felt my bump when i was in labour, insisted the baby was small, he was 9lb 5oz, if thats small i would hate to know whats big

anxiousmum2b · 09/08/2007 14:14

Last Thursday I measured 27.5cm and I was 24 weeks and I had a growth scan on Tuesday. Baby measured spot on and fluid normal so a worried weekend for nothing! As I've always been a 'large' person I thought that would make a difference in that I have more padding than most anyway! Try not to worry and good luck!

Original poster

RGPargy · 09/08/2007 14:38

Thanx - i think you're right about the extra padding on the tummy area How can it NOT make a difference?? I'm not going to worry at all!

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