Measuring 33 weeks at 28?

[Tgilaura]

Hi all.

Has anyone had any experience of measuring larger than they should be?
I feel like I ve really popped in the last couple of weeks, and the midwife confirmed that when she measured me off the scale at my 28 week appointment yesterday.

All of my blood tests so far have been normal, baby measuring 50 percentile at 20 week appointment. They’ve booked me in for a growth scan on Friday to see if the baby is big or if it’s excess water or something else.

I was quite calm yesterday thinking it’s probably because I m 5ft 1 and the baby has nowhere to go (I can already feel her in my rib cage) but after too much googling I m worried.

Anyone with similar experiences who could offer some advice?

Yes, more than once.

Our last 4 have all been average at 20wk then way above average by 28wk and that was on growth scans not just fundal. Our 2nd was 4wk ahead on growth and had polyhydramnios, came out at 40+5 10lb 12oz (natural unassisted delivery). Our 3rd was a bit smaller but also had polyhydramnios, came at 40+2 9lb 10oz (natural unassisted delivery). Our twins we're estimated at 5lb each at 32+5 (Upper one had mild polyhydramnios), were breech so elcs at 38wk 8lb 5oz & 8lb 11oz (I was HUGE!). Pregnancy was uncomfortable and I had spd but I got through them and it didn't put me off having another. I'm due August, this one was average at 20wk but bump is growing super fast now so will see if she's another big one later on, 24wk atm. Our 1st was a very average 7lb 7oz (39+6) and is still fairly small at 15yr.

If they think your baby is too big and at risk of problems they may offer you induction or elcs.

I don’t think it’s particularly unusual to measure big or small and then a growth scan shows the baby is measuring ok.

I would say though that measuring large with my son meant I was referred for a growth can and it was subsequently picked up that I had gestational diabetes. I wasn’t tested as standard as I didn’t have it in my first pregnancy. Have you been tested?

I think you should ask for a growth scan as I though that was standard policy if you measure over two weeks ahead?

It's because your small. I'm tiny and measured big but popped out a completely average sized 7lb 6 baby. My mum measured do big with her third there was nowhere to plot her measurements on the graph! They weren't worried because it was her third and she'd done it all before!! The to thought she'd be over 10lbs and she was 8lbs. Measuring big doesn't necessarily mean big baby, they'll monitor you as you get closer to due date.

Yeah at my 28 week appointment I was measuring 34 weeks! But as I'm already having extra scans my midwife wasn't to worried and explained every midwife measures different and if you have a exterior placenta it can sometimes make you measure bigger. Xx

@Teakind

I don’t think it’s particularly unusual to measure big or small and then a growth scan shows the baby is measuring ok.

I would say though that measuring large with my son meant I was referred for a growth can and it was subsequently picked up that I had gestational diabetes. I wasn’t tested as standard as I didn’t have it in my first pregnancy. Have you been tested?

I think you should ask for a growth scan as I though that was standard policy if you measure over two weeks ahead?

Hi Teakind.

I haven’t yet been tested for GD, I think in my area they are only testing people who are at higher risk, so I imagine if the baby does measure big maybe they ll test me then?
They have referred me for a growth scan on Friday, but that seems so far away at the moment!!

@Cotswoldmama

It's because your small. I'm tiny and measured big but popped out a completely average sized 7lb 6 baby. My mum measured do big with her third there was nowhere to plot her measurements on the graph! They weren't worried because it was her third and she'd done it all before!! The to thought she'd be over 10lbs and she was 8lbs. Measuring big doesn't necessarily mean big baby, they'll monitor you as you get closer to due date.

I hope this is the case! My graph was similar to your mothers I imagine. I laughed when I saw it because my cross was so far above the lines where it should be. Good to know it can be just because you are small, I suppose it makes sense it would make a difference.

@Mylasmummy2102

Yeah at my 28 week appointment I was measuring 34 weeks! But as I'm already having extra scans my midwife wasn't to worried and explained every midwife measures different and if you have a exterior placenta it can sometimes make you measure bigger. Xx

Oh thank for your comment - very similar to me! I do also have an anterior placenta near the top which is where it’s most uncomfortable. Maybe that is also having an impact on the measurements like you say.

They usually do test for GD if baby measures big on scans.

I had the test twice with our biggest but was within normal ranges both times, once in each of the other pregnancies and results were normal. Got the test for this one in a few weeks.

@Tgilaura it’s strange how different trusts have different policies isn’t it. Ours has just updated to check everyone. I had no risk factors so was quite shocked to be told I had it.

Hopefully it’s not that and it’s just an odd measurement. My friend was told her bump was measuring far too small so was sent a scan and her baby was big!

@Tgilaura
With my other 2 children I measured small which they put down to my hypothyroidism so had lots of extra growth scans they were both just over 7lb so pretty average size.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It’s good to know that things can work out okay even if they are big or have a lot of water.

I also measured 33 weeks at 28, had a growth scan which confirmed I was pregnant with a big baby. Had growth scans at 36 and 38 weeks and they said he was actually average size and he probably just had a growth spurt before. They did tell me that the tape measure is often unreliable and growth scans nearer to term are more accurate. My baby boy was born 6 weeks ago, average size and 8lbs 3oz :)

@WhiteHorse92

I also measured 33 weeks at 28, had a growth scan which confirmed I was pregnant with a big baby. Had growth scans at 36 and 38 weeks and they said he was actually average size and he probably just had a growth spurt before. They did tell me that the tape measure is often unreliable and growth scans nearer to term are more accurate. My baby boy was born 6 weeks ago, average size and 8lbs 3oz :)

Thank you, that’s interesting to know. So even if they measure big now they may slow down so it evens out towards the end? The midwife did tell me before she measured it was a notoriously inaccurate measurement, but I think the massive difference is what alarmed me!

I had this at 36w (I'm now 39+3w). My bump at that point was measuring 3 weeks ahead. I was booked in for a growth scan to check baby and fluid. All was fine. No excess fluid and baby was measuring on average (46th percentile), so that was that

I’m 35 weeks and have been measuring 3 weeks ahead since they first measured me at 25 weeks, just got a growth scan at 38 weeks.

The tape measure thing never feels very accurate to me, I’m sure the scan will put your mind at ease.

Just wanted to provide an update in case anyone searches the thread in future with a similar email question - I hate finding my exact problem with no final answer!

So I had the scan today. The baby measured perfectly, not big or small. The deepest pool of amniotic fluid was 8.4cm, apparently the normal cut off is 8cm so it was very mild / borderline polyhydramnios.

The midwife said it could be that my body makes a bit more fluid than others, or it could be gestational diabetes. I m going back for the GTT on Sunday, then they will check the fluid levels next Saturday, and take all new measurements of baby the following Saturday.

I hope this might be helpful to someone in future! I still think that being short in height makes you measure bigger!