Baby measuring off the scale big - midwife doesn’t seem worried. Should I be?

[Babyaug2020x]

Hey,

I’m wondering if anyone has any advice on this,

I’m 34 weeks pregnant and my baby has been measuring well over the 97th centile the whole time, my bump is currently measuring 36 weeks.

Based on my chart baby is estimated between 10-11lbs.

My frame is very small and I’m very short (my midwife even commented that my small frame is possibly why I’ve been having such terrible PGP as my bump is quite big for my size), however they added a note to my record today saying they’re not concerned about the size of baby because the GD test I had was negative and I’ve not been referred for any scans or anything.

I’m really really worried though, the last thing I want is to have to try deliver potentially an 11lb baby and end up with an emergency Csection or for baby to get stuck 😩 I’ve had a lot of anxiety this pregnancy and I’m getting myself in a bit of a flap over this.

Any advice

My bump was on the 97th centile. Dd was 8lb 3oz so not huge.

DS1 was on the 90th, but was very long rather than possessing the massive head that I was so worried about! A friend gave birth to a 10lb baby and was/is one of the tiniest people I have ever known. She went on to have two more children, so clearly wasn't put off too much!

Have you read much about perineal massage? Probably worth a go.

Hi, FTM at 35 weeks and OP I’m exactly same as you. I did mention it at my 34 week appointment and she looked and measured for that appointment. As I was having a scan anyway at 36 weeks for placenta/fibroid placement we both agreed no need for anything else. They do tend to be very arbitrary measures and they are just looking for consistency rather than actual size. Wish they would make that clear and remove the size estimates to stop all this worry! I am 5’10 though, if I was small like you I would be concerned. However, they are personalised to your height and weight, so take comfort in that

Hey OP my midwife reassured me in the same situation when I was freaking out saying that it's a matter of millimetres.

The other thing is dimension, not weight. A short fat person can right the same as a short muscly rugby player or a tall very lean person. Someone can have thicker legs and a smaller head or shoulders. So the weight in itself doesn't necessarily mean a problem. My friend had a baby that weighed the same as mine (who was built like a prop forward), and hers was like a beanpole (but cuter).

Best thing is to speak more to your midwife and tell her that you're confused why she's not concerned given your bump size etc.

Also remember the bump includes the placenta which can be big, plus lots of fluid too. It's not an indication of just the baby!

I was a size 6 and had 2 over 10lb, both natural deliveries.

I was told both times they would be average sized. meanwhile I had friends told their babies would be huge and they were only 7 or 8lb.

Really try not to worry about it. measurements and size scans are notoriously inaccurate x

My midwives told me those measurements leave a lot of room for error. I ended up having extra monitoring in the last 4 weeks of my last pregnancy because my fundal height didn't change after 37 weeks. My baby turned out to be slightly larger than average.

Lol I've literally just come from a scan to make sure DS2 was growing ok. I'm 36+4, his body is measuring at 38 and his head... is measuring at 40 weeks.

Pray for me.

I was in a similar situation to you and was repeatedly dismissed by my mw. My waters later broke and I didn't go into labour resulting in an inducement, whilst being induced I was repeatedly quizzed by the midwife and consultants on the size of my baby, how many scans id had and what my midwife had done for me which was nothing, ultimately I resulted in an emcs (which was a breeze compared to being induced) and my 9lb 11oz daughter was born. This pregnancy my consultant has told me that my first child was never coming out vaginally due to size and although this baby is measuring on the 50th (this time round I'm getting growth scans) she would recommend another section.
Please push your midwife if you have concerns, I wish I had!

I’m in exactly the same situation as baby is 99th percentile and had been since 28 weeks. I’m 33 weeks currently and baby is measuring 36 I’ve argued with them that I strongly think the dates wrong and there not listening. I got a very rude midwife that told me I was having a big baby due to a big BMI (which is rubbish) and that she was the professional and knew better!
I’m pushing for an elective Caesarian because I do not want an emergency situation and I know it’ll happen if I end up delivering naturally. They won’t see me now till week 36 which by my calculations is week 39 so hopefully they’ll listen this time

Im 5"6 and was a size 8-10... my son weighed 10lb 6oz and i had him naturally with no issues. Will be having growth scans for this bump!

I've found those scans to be very inconsistent. First I was monitored as my baby was too small then they said actually he's too big. I fought tooth and nail for my homebirth (with constant guilt traps from the midwife of endangering my huge baby). My ginormous baby was barely 7lb and sat at the 25th percentile.

I wouldn't give too much thought to those estimations. They can cause a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. Deal with things as they come.

There’s also a theory that big babies are actually easier to deliver as they put more pressure on the cervix and you dilate faster.

I measured 5 weeks ahead during the last 15 weeks of my pregnancy, had plenty of scans that showed baby was exactly on the 50th centile. I am only 5ft 3 with longish legs and a short torso which I think made my bump bigger. My baby arrived 8pounds 14 days overdue so try not to worry.

My baby was big, growth scans proved he was big. Midwife said he felt "7lb" and that she'd been doing this for 36 years so she's incredibly experienced. (This was Monday, he was born on the Thursday)

My baby was 10lb 1oz

I requested a csection for other reasons, which was accepted. This was the right choice for us, we had lots of complications that hadn't been picked up through scans so csection was the safest route.

However, I have friends who's baby's measured big and were born at a nice 8lb weight

In my experience scans over estimate. Sometimes by a lot. Having said that, I would mentally prepare to have a section, just in case. If the baby's head engages that is a good sign.

As people have said, scans aren't always reliable and lots of women give birth to big babies without issue.

My DS2 measured big, was 10lb2oz, I'm small framed, he did get stuck and I did have an emcs under general anaesthetic. I'm not telling you this to scare you, I'm just being honest - yes there is a small chance this might happen and whilst it wasn't the birth I would have chosen, we were both fine, recovered well, breastfed successfully and bonded easily.

Try not to worry to much about things you can't control, perhaps prepare yourself for the fact that an emcs might happen - and that's ok because if it does that's because it's needed to keep you and your baby safe. I feel immensely grateful that we was able to have access to the expert medical care that we needed - so many women don't.

My bump was on the 97th centile. Was sent for growth scans and told baby would be at least 10lbs. His tummy was measuring 40 weeks when I was 34weeks. Induced at 39 weeks due to reduced movement and he was born a very healthy 8lbs 11oz.

At my 36 scan I was told the baby was big and to expect a 10lb if I went full term. I went 2 weeks and 3 days over due. I repack my hospital bag with bigger clothes for the baby, having a wee cry that the newborn outfits would never be worn. When he finally arrived he was a bang average 7lb8oz and I had to get DH to bring in some newborn clothes!

Midwives kept telling me that DD was a very big baby and saying I should be induced, fortunately my consultant didn’t see why I couldn’t deliver a big baby and I was 41+3 weeks when I delivered this HUGE baby - just over 7lbs! She was, and still is 22 years later, tiny!

With DS they kept telling me he was very small, not growing, etc etc. He was just under 10lbs!

Ok, this is a long read, but a really, really useful one. Based in proper scientific research and the upshot is that we should not be worried:

evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-for-induction-or-c-section-for-big-baby/

Is it just the bump measurement that is big or have you actually had any other scans? A big bump by itself isn't necessarily a cause for alarm and it's not a reliable way to estimate the birth weight. The general advice is anything 1-2 weeks ahead is within normal fluctuations.

I had two big babies. Eldest was 9lbs at 41 weeks. Youngest was 8.5lbs at 38 weeks. He probably would have been 10lbs if born at 41 weeks like his brother. I had an EMCS with my eldest because of complications with an induction, not because of his size. Youngest was a c-section also. Again, not related to size. With my eldest, I measured spot on the entire pregnancy. And had no indication of how big he would be until he arrived.

With youngest, I measured two weeks ahead throughout. I also had protein and glucose in my urine on and off from around 28 weeks. My BP was on the threshold of high the entire pregnancy and my GTT were also borderline. I had GTT about every 2/3 weeks. I had two extra scans to check him towards the end. At the scans they were more concerned with excess fluid and making sure he was growing well, as well as his position. Pre-eclampsia actually stops the baby from growing apparently. As soon as they saw fluid was fine and he was big, then heard how big my eldest was they just shrugged and told me I had big babies.

They told me dd1 could be 10lb 13oz. I’m 5’2” so they gave me a caesarean. She was 8lb 6oz. Honestly, don’t pay any attention to these estimates.

(I then vbac another 8lb 6oz and a 9lb) no idea what they predicted as I ignored it as it was clearly irrelevant.

No, it's not an exact science and is often inaccurate. Don't let it make you afraid.