Stressing about bump measurements

[ELBlack]

Hi all, ftm 35+1. Looking for a bit of advice please, as I may be panicking for no reason.

Since I started getting measured at 25 weeks, they've been all a bit up and down, but what would be considered normal. I.e. I measured 24cm at 25 weeks, 28 at 28, but this is where it gets a bit...odd...

I went to triage at 31 weeks, the day after my midwife appointment with suspected amniotic fluid leakage, it wasn't, but the midwife in hospital measured me at 28 weeks and then referred me for a growth scan. The day before, my community midwife measured me at 32! Growth scan came back okay, baby is on the smaller side but consultant wasn't concerned so sent me on my way with no further referrals. I put it down to one of those things and just mentioned it to my normal midwife when I saw her at 33 weeks. She measured me twice and said it was coming up bang on 33 and said everyone has different techniques and baby might have been in a different position.

I was in triage again at 34+3 for reduced movements and the midwife there measured me at 32cm. I was worrying about my babies movements and it was late at night so I didn't really think to say anything, but I'm now anxious that I keep getting 2-3cm behind my gestation. I have felt baby moving since I went to triage on Sunday, but her movements feel softer, or more just like a pushing sensation under my ribs.

Should I call my midwife and insist on being referred for another growth scan? I don't know if I'm being silly. I'm coming towards the end of my pregnancy and feeling stressed and worried about everything at the moment, so I don't want to catastophise!

Thank you for reading and any advice x

My midwife told me I was measuring at "45 weeks" when I was 38 weeks pregnant. It's not an exact science. I was induced due to large bump size / big baby and had a pretty horrendous birth. Baby was 8.12.

I would go by your community midwifes measurements as she’s the one measuring you each time so it’s consistent.

It’s not an exact science. With both of my pregnancies I was measuring huge so was referred for growth scans with both. First baby fine on scan but born at 10lbs, 2nd baby also fine on scan but 7.5lbs. But was measuring the same, 3cm over.

@movingadviceneeded ah that's not a big baby at all! I'm aware it's not an exact science, but my biggest concern is that whenever I go to the hospital I measure behind what midwife is measuring me as.

I'm sorry you're feeling stressed about this.

Fundal height measurements are notoriously inaccurate and inconsistent if different people are doing it each time. The growth scan is what matters, and it's great that the consultant wasn't worried.

Has the pattern of baby movement changed, as in the times of day you would normally feel them? My midwife said that after 32wks the movements will feel different but I should still feel them at the usual times. I would call if you are worried in any way, even if that means multiple trips to the hospital. They really don't mind.

If you are anxious, there is no harm asking for another growth scan. The important thing is that baby follows whichever centile line they are on from the growth scan you've had. I'm 32wks and measuring a week ahead for fundal height, but baby has been plotting on the 50th centile for every growth scan.

@Boombadoom okay, that makes sense as my community midwife has always been consistent. I'm seeing someone else at my 36 week appointment next week because she's on holiday, so I'll see if that's any different.

I guarantee she will be huge now 😂 maybe she's hiding in my back!!

@marplemead all of her measurements at the growth scan were on or just under 50% apart from her weight which was 25%. It aligns with the measurements of my 20 week scan.

Her movements have definitely changed in the last couple of weeks. I wasn't feeling her any less, until the last week or so where they started to feel more like tapping right near my public bone, more little kicks or pops in my side and then just this weird pushing sensation right under my ribs/ all across them. Which I'm totally baffled as to whether they are Braxton Hicks or her just pushing out!

I will keep a close eye today and then call DAU again if I feel like I haven't felt her as much again. It's all such a worry! X

As others have said, it’s really only of any value if it’s consistently the same person measuring. I have a colleague who’s clinic I hate covering because I know I’ll spend half of it doing scan referrals because she’s a really generous measurer.

@JazzerMcCreary thank you!

I'm feeling better now as my midwife has been consistent throughout her measurements!

I'm 35+4 and the hospital measured differently to community midwives, but baby is following the curve so its all good. My movements are softer too, I figured its because baby has less room to move. I told the midwife this and its only a concern if the frequency changes

I was measuring small all the way through and had 3 growth scans too, they predicted he would be 6lb at birth...he was 8lb. I think it's very hard to be accurate.