Baby measuring very big for dates

[MuffinMclay]

Yet more pregnancy-based angst from me...

I saw the mw and she says the baby is measuring very big for the dates. I'm 26 weeks, and it is the size of 31/2 weeks. Until now, it has always been on the smaller side of average (ds1 was a small baby too), but I've expanded rapidly in the past week or two. There is no confusion over the dates.

What might this mean? Is it a problem? Will it just be a more painful labour, or an earlier one? Mw said it was often a sign of gestational diabetes, but there is no glucose in my urine.

I've been referred to the hospital for a scan and blood tests next week, but that seems ages away!

Hi MuffinMcLay - Im guessing they measured you with a tape measure? I really wish they would get rid of this outdated and completely inaccurate waste of time, as it has as much to do with the womans body shape as the size of the uterus and baby. Ive often delivered women who looked huge and yet only had 6-7 lb babies

However, they will do a scan and measure the size and also probably a blood glucose test next week. If that is raised then they will do a full glucose tolerance test, probably the following week. You dont need to always have glucose in the wee to have gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).

The m/w is right though in saying that a big baby is a sign of GDM, but it can also just be a big baby, or the measurements can be wrong etc. So dont panic yet

Good luck next week - let us know how you got on.

This happened to me from about 26 weeks and at one point baby was 7 weeks ahead of my dates (ACCORDING TO THE TAPE MEASURE)

However by the end of the pregnancy I had caught up with the baby and she weighed in at a not SO huge 8lb 10oz

Don't worry too much

When I was expecting my now 6 year old I was measuring too big for dates too. I had a second scan to check this at 38 weeks and thank God I did as it saved him. I had polyhydromnious. While it seems a pain, please go to all check ups. It really is for you and your babies best interest.

Thanks everyone. It was with a tape measure, and she did say that she wasn't entirely sure where my pubic bone or the top of the uterus were.

think tutter had this problem, measuring 10 weeks ahead or something , and her baby was a perfectly normal size

I too think tape measure measuring is inaccurate. My MW re-measured me 3 times last week until she had a number she was happy with. She actually said "Oh I'm making you far too big, lets try again..."
Good luck with the scan and blood tests next week x

Oh, that is a new one for me. I have never heard of being measured with a tape measure. I live in Germany and the only measurements that were done were during the scan. Even then, the gynae told me that it only gives a idea of size/weight as the measurements can be up to 10% off.

tbh, it sounds about as scientific as dangling a ring over your bump to determine the sex of your baby.

Go and get yourself checked out though, it will put your mind at rest. Good luck!

Hi MM - I measured 47cms at 36 weeks and was checked for GD also but no sign. When I went for my scan they told me he 'looked' to be a 10lb plus baby and they decided to induce me at 38 weeks as they thought he would be 11lb+ at forty weeks and with me being only 5ft it might be hard!

DS came out at 9lb 10.5 oz at 38 weeks so I was glad it was noticed!

Good luck

Aside from the inaccuracies of the tape-measuring technique, I know that the bump is big. Last time, it was only right at the end that I struggled to get dressed, put on shoes, see my feet etc, and I'm like that now.

I'm really short too, so a big baby is a scary prospect. Hopefully I'll get some straight answers at the hospital on Thursday.

An update. Seems there is nothing to worry about after all (probably).

I saw the consultant today. He measured me and came up with the same size as the mw. He then pondered on this for a while, poked around, then remeasured and decided I was 2cm smaller than his original measurement. He wants me to go back for a scan in a month's time just to keep an eye on things.

He wrote in my notes 'large but not extremely large, NOT polyhydromnios'. When I asked about gestational diabetes, he said "oh no, that's just something for fat people" LOL. He complemented me on my stomach muscles (much to my surprise) and sent me on my way.

Hmm. I know a very very very skinny woman who gets gestational diabetes with her pregnancies, so that comment from your consultant doesn't fill me with confidence.

Just a change in the baby's position can affect your fundal height measurement, though. Sounds as though the extra scan to check in due course is a good way to go.