Baby measuring big at 34 weeks - Experiences please!

[BeingATwatItsABingThing]

I’m just after some stories from people who have been in a similar situation. Sorry for the long post. I didn’t want to leave out anything relevant.

I had a private scan on Sunday (34+1) because DH hadn’t seen DD2 since the 12w scan and I thought it would be nice for him. It was done with Ultrasound Direct and they did head, abdominal and femur measurements and estimated baby’s weight from that. Those measurements put me at 35+5 and said baby was currently weighing around 6lb3oz. I know it’s not an exact science.

Now, my concern is that I still have 5-7 weeks left to go for DD2 to get bigger. My DH was induced 2 weeks early as his older brother was born weighing 10lb2oz. DH’s older sister (first baby) was 8lb something. DH, two weeks early, was 9lb12oz. I’m 5ft 4 and DH is 6ft. I was 8lb12oz but my mum is significantly taller than me.

I told all of this to my midwife today at my 34w appointment and she looked at my 20w scan notes to see what percentile I was measuring at then to see if I’ve remained consistent. I was around the 50th percentile (sometimes a little under) and now I’m 90th percentile. She said she would speak to the hospital about it and see if they’d scan me as they won’t just go off the private scan.

Has anyone had any experience of this? What happened? Were you induced early? DD1 was 8lb6oz and the thought of a nearly 10lb baby is really scaring me.

My baby was estimated to be 6lb5oz at 36 weeks exactly -this was just over the 50th percentile for my growth chart. He’s estimated to be around 8lbs when I’m 40 weeks. I’m still pregnant (38+5) so no idea if it’s accurate or not though.

I think babies weight gain start to slow after a while so she won’t be gaining half a pound a week right up until your due date.

DD measured > 98th centile at my 34 week scan. They made me have a gestational diabetes test as a result and fasting at that point in pregnancy was grim!

She was born (via ELCS for reasons other than size) at 39 weeks weighing 9lb, so not enormous. Me and DP are the same heights as you and your DH. Some babies are just on the bigger side but growth scans are not an exact science and there are lots of stories of women told to expect tiny/huge babies who have nothing of the sort.

I had 4 diabetes tests because my bump was off the centile chart (they where all fine) Also a scan at 32 weeks (which showed he was well padded and measuring big)

Clearly he ran out of room as he arrived at 37 weeks weighting 8lb 10oz in an hour and a half (basically sneezed him out, his smaller brother took 3 days)

So he would have been a very big lad if he stayed in for another 3 weeks but was swifty evicted before that could happen

Thanks all.

I think my concern is that I’ve jumped up the percentiles massively. If she naturally comes early, I’ll be a bit relieved. I am now desperately trying to get everything ready for her.

I swear I didn’t worry even half as much with DD1.

Hi,

My measurements jumped at 34 weeks, I was diagnosed with polyhydramnious (too much fluid) which was why my bump was so big but they were also concerned baby was big too. I had a diabetes test (negative) and was booked in for an induction on my due date. I was told DD would be ‘well over 9lb’, she turned out to only be 8lb 4!

During my pregnancy I was told at 32 weeks my twins were around 6 and 7 lb, a week later 2 and 3 lb, with different people carrying out the two scans. Later estimates put them both at 8lb, so I had a section at 37w6. DS was 9lb 2 and DD 5lb10. DS has been on the 98th centile since week 24 apart from the 3lb blip, so was pretty accurate. DD they put down to measuring her abdomen at an oblique angle so it looked larger than she was.

I was another one who got sent for diabetes tests a few times, but I guess it comes down to it not being an exact science as PP said. Hopefully another scan will set your mind at rest.

My midwife is hoping to speak to the hospital on Friday so hopefully she’ll have some news for me then. I’ll really stop panicking when she’s here and all fine. 🤞

DS2 was estimated at 6lb at 33 weeks and was 10lb 5 when he was born at exactly weeks.

It was a much much easier labour than DS1 (who was 9lb 4).

Is there any history of gestational diabetes in your family? Have your midwife recommended getting one done? Estimated weight from scans have an error of +/- 10% but even then, I wouldn't want to take any chances.

Has your midwife*

Probably not much help sorry but my DS measured big and came out big via c section. Think he was measuring 2 weeks ahead or something. 10lb3 with a big head!

My DH’s cousin had gestational diabetes but that’s the closest relative that I know of who has had it.

Midwife didn’t mention it.

My first was 8lb 8, second was 10lbs. Honestly it was no different except first labour was 38 hours, second was 5 with no epidural.

Here are my charts if that helps.

I measured big and scheduled for section at 38 weeks. Baby decided to come at 37 weeks (waters broke) and was 10lbs 4oz. Long baby (I'm confident on dates as had period during honeymoon then baby eight and a bit months later).
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes even though I had no symptoms other than measuring big. I became type 1.

10lb 4oz at 37 weeks?!?

I've been reassured by many health professionals that bigger babies are actually easier to birth and push out because the muscles in the uterus have more to hold onto. My baby is measuring big but I'm not worried about it. The skull bones arent fused so the babys head can squeeze through and the bones move over each other to help this happen. And the tummy is just squishy. So even if baby is measuring big this doesnt mean you wont be able to birth to them just as well as you would a smaller baby.

I hope you’re right @UrsulaSings

DH ended up being delivered by ventouse, his brother ended up in NICU after being born and my sister was induced, attempted forceps and then eventually an EMCS. I don’t want forceps or ventouse. I would rather have an ELCS at that point.

My youngest was supposed to be a big baby (lots of extra scans due to previous stillbirth) DS was a tiny 6lb dot of a boy. We had to go out and buy tiny first clothes for him as the 0-3 were massive on him.

I hope they give me an extra scan and either tell me the first measurements were wrong or offer to induce early.

Measured large. Got 2 NHS growth scans, in think approx 32 weeks and then approx. 36 weeks. Booked in for sweep at 38 weeks, didn't work, induced at 39 weeks. Baby was 9lbs, not as large as growth scans predicted at all. Got test for gestational diabetes which involved testing my own sugar levels via pin price 4 times a day for a few days but was negative. The consultant told me the weight is over estimated on the scans a large proportion of the time.

I had to have weekly growth scans and diabetes tests. Lots of flap about this "huge baby". Had stand up fights about them wanting to induce me. Eventually went in to labour at 41 weeks and after 3 days and an emergency c section they handed me... DD who was 6lb. I wanted a recount!

Try not to worry. All the best!

My experience is that it’s a really inexact science.
DC1 was nearly 10lb
At 36 weeks DC2 was predicted to be over 10lb so I had ELCS at 39 weeks - she was less than 8 lbs

But if you are worried and your DC looks that big, the staff will be happy to do ELCS - and for me it was a really positive calm birth experience.

Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’ll hopefully know more on Friday and try and update this thread.

and for me it was a really positive calm birth experience.

This is what I want. I want that calm and positive birth. I wasn’t worried about labour at all with DD1 but I don’t want to be in a panic about DD2 because I’m worried about how big she’s going to be.