Large abdominal circumference at 20 week scan

[Gigitree]

Just has my 20 week scan today, he couldn’t complete the scan because baby was lying in an awkward position (nothing new there she did that at the 12 week scan)

But he did say that her abdominal circumference is measuring big. On my scan report it’s saying more than 95th percentile.
The sonographer wasn’t particularly forthcoming with info, just said if it’s still measuring big at the rescan in 2 weeks time then it could mean gestational diabetes and they’ll refer me for a GTT.

Anyone else ever had this? I don’t know whether I need to be concerned or not at this stage and if there is anything I should/could be doing differently.

Trying my hardest not to worry, but like I say the sonographer didn’t really give us much to go on, so I can’t help but worry.

Usually as long as it's within the margins they don't say or do much. If it's still be at your rescan they'll probably send you for the GTT (glucoses tolerance test) because it could be gestational diabetes causing it.

All my babies have had bigger end measurements I'm for abdominal and been born with perfectly normal tummy sizes! In fact they've all been fairly skinny things and I was expecting something much bigger.

I had similar but was told not to worry too much about it as it means that the baby is getting plenty of nutrition. I wouldn't worry at this stage - it'll be a good thing if they do test you for GD then you can manage it if you do have it but I know women whose baby's had large measurements that didn't have it. And if like I did you're imagining a massive Buddha type belly it doesn't mean that at all

I had the same! She said since it's in normal range it's fine, and that it shows my placenta is working well.

I didn't have a rescan as they got everything they needed and didn't seem worried!

I'd say it's fine

I had GTT and came back clear - my AC was measuring 95th and looking to go off the chart. It actually tailed off in final 4 weeks so I had to have additional scans to check growth.

Gave birth to a perfectly normal sized 7lb 4oz baby - the lightest in my NCT group!

Nothing to worry about - if it's still looking big in 2 weeks they'll just keep monitoring you and further scans. If gestational diabetes - I'm not sure I'm afraid.

Ahh thank you all so much! That’s really put my mind at ease. Phew such a relief!! ❤️

Omg @AuntieMaggie i was exactly imagining a Buddha belly 😂

OP im exactly the same. All measurements at 20 weeks scan were on 50th centile, except for the abdo which was 95th. Im 34 weeks now, and the baby is measuring at 50th centile overall.

I think its ok, nobody seems concerned anyway!

Thanks that’s good to hear that they can sort of even themselves out over time ❤️

Gigitree 😂 I was told a 10lb baby with lots of hair, chubby face, big head and big belly. Infact I got a 7.5lb bald baby!

With Ds I had a scan at 35 weeks for reduced movements, his abdominal measurements were 4 weeks further on than expected. He measured on the 95th percentile, GTT came back negative. We were both monitored regularly from then on. I had a urine infection that cause an irritable uterus, an infection in the amniotic fluid then sepsis from E.coli. He was born 4 days early and weighed 8lb 13oz so not overly big, I had a natural birth with no intervention. He is now on the 99th percentile for length at 10mo and is amazing.

@AuntieMaggie omg they can get it so wrong sometimes can’t they!?

@TinyPop14 wow sounds like you really went through it! So glad that you and your little one were good in the end though ❤️

Hi OP. I had this at 25week bump measurement. Got sent for a growth scan, told baby on 97th percentile for AC. (at 20 weeks it was 50th) I had the GTT test which came back negative then at 29 weeks bump was too small based on earlier measurement! Went for another scan and they told me they probably had it wrong the first time, now 80th percentile for AC which they dont class as big! Moral of story is they need a few scans to take an average and they can get it pretty wrong. One midwife said they are just giving their "best guess"! I'm 31 weeks now.

@veeboo wow that really goes to show just how much guess work goes into it, despite all the advances in technology etc.

My dd's tummy was enormous. I didn't have diabetes, he was just fat. Midwife was unconcerned as "tummies are squidgy. It would be different if he had an enormous head". He was a 8'10" when born just before 37 weeks. Most pleasant of all 3 of my births.

I had this with 3 of my pregnancies who were all girls ab either just under or just over 10lb. They sent me for a diabetes test (you have to go to the hospital without eating, have a blood test, drink a foul sugary drink, go away for 2 hours then come back for another blood test) but I didn't have it just big babies.

Mine has had big AC all along (now 37 weeks), been having growth scans and this is the only consistent bit between them! Had 3 tests for GD, don't have it so the two aren't necessarily linked. Even if it turns out you have it, much better to know so you can manage it. I wouldn't worry too much, imo better to have a bit of a tummy than being too skinny as they lose weight after birth anyway so to my mind, reserves are good!

Thanks all, sounds like it’s pretty common then and nothing to be worried about! I like your thinking @catlady3 about them having more reserves, that’s a good way of looking at it! Less likely to get stressed during birth too then if they aren’t all diddy ❤️

I had the same but it was ges diabetes,they said she was going to be big,i got induced at 37wks and she was 6lbs 6onz my biggest baby but still tiny.

I had a growth scan as bump was measuring small at around 29 weeks. Growth scan showed baby was >99th centile. Referred for GTT - negative - growth scan again on Friday at 39 weeks and still 99th centile but as I seem healthy and everything else is okay they don’t seem concerned. Midwife says these things can be +/-20% and tend to be overestimated.

@Gigitree I just found your thread and wondered if you had an update at all? I’ve just had my 20 week scan today and she didn’t say anything so I’m not worried but on my scan report it’s showing as the highest end possible so just curious.

@TwinkleStars15 hey, I’m so sorry I’m so late replying to this. I don’t know how I didn’t see it!
Had the GTT but it was clear so no GD for me.
Had a growth scan at 33 weeks and all her measurements are on the same trajectory, so head, femur length etc all still good in the 50th percentile but her AC is still 95th percentile.
They don’t seem worried because her weight is measuring as normal and all her growth is on the same trajectory so as far as I can tell it just means she has a big tummy! 🤷🏼‍♀️
I’ve asked midwives/consultants etc and no one seems willing to actually go on record and say it’s fine, it’s not a problem etc. But they all just say her growth is normal and she just has more reserves.

Hope everything is going well with your pregnancy ❤️

I had a growth scan at 28 weeks and got told the AC was above 95th. Sent for GTT and came back negative just before 30 weeks. At 32 growth scan -belly is 97th percentile. They said since I passed the GTT that it’s just got a big belly -still can’t help but worry a bit as diabetes can develop later on but I guess I need to trust the doctors. I’m trying to eat lowish sugar just in case! 36 week scan tomo -I’m miraculously hoping he has dropped a few percentiles!! It seems it’s quite common on this thread to have a big baby but no GD.

I just had the same yesterday at my 20 week scan - measurements range from 34th percentile for somethings and 93rd for abdominal circumference. My sonographer also didn't give any info when asked but I need another scan within 2 weeks as they couldn't see baby's face and to re-check the stomach. Looking like some scary things online (including baby being very big, I really don't want intervention or a c section) but hopefully the next measurement is more normal?! They tested me for gestational diabetes a few weeks ago and I was fine, hope that hasn't changed.

My baby showed above the 95th percentile for abdominal. Tested for GD-didn’t have. He was born two months ago vaginally, no issues apart from a few months ago. I worried a lot but all turned out well. Good luck.