Likelihood of being induced

[Anon1324]

I’m 35 weeks and a FTM. I went for a growth scan at 32 weeks which I found out my baby is rather big. She was already weighing 5lb 4 and was off the grid on her measurements. I have another scan next week to see if she is still big and if so to talk about what happens next. Being a first time mum I have no idea what to expect if she is still measuring really big. Anyone been through the same?

Growth scans can be very off in terms of guesstimates of weight, by next week you might find your baby is measuring average! If they still think she’s big they may offer you an induction at 39 weeks. I was induced for other reasons and I found lots of horror stories on here but my birth doesn’t sound much different to my friends natural ones, so I don’t think it was a bad choice for me. With inductions don’t feel pressured into any choice as you have the right to choose. Stay informed :) I hope all goes well xx

Can't really help with your predicament but agree that growth measurements are none too accurate. I was literally bang on the middle average line throughout pregnancy, but then DD, despite being 9 days overdue, was actually quite small.
I was going to be induced but then gave birth less than 12 hours before, after 2 cervical poke things. Presumably you can ask for that first?

Do you have GD?

Do you want to be induced? I had a large baby and did want to be.

It'll vary from trust to trust but my growth scan at 36 weeks showed baby was measuring 7lb 4oz and my consultant was only going to discuss inducing due to his size at 40 weeks. I've heard growth scans can be +/- 2lb later on in pregnancy though, there are lots of stories of people being told their baby was going to be 9/10lb and born at 7lb/8lb

I was induced at 38 weeks as baby was measuring off the chart but I did have GD diagnosed (diet controlled from 28 weeks, so he was just big!)

I could have refused as far as I know but obviously wanted to go off the advice I was given as they were concerned about shoulder dystocia, with hindsight I don't know if I would have left it a bit longer because he was not ready at all, did weigh 8lb 9 so they weren't too far out

Have you been tested for GD? x

Thanks for all the comments, I have been tested for GD but came back negative. My family has a history of big babies… my nephew was 10lb12!! I’m happy to be induced but just hate the not knowing part! I’ll wait and see what my next scan brings:)

The negative for GD is good then - no medical reason to induce (I assume no other issues), big baby doesn't mean induction per se. They might suggest induction around 40 weeks rather than letting you go to 42 but ultimately will be totally up to you :)

Wouldn't worry about scans measuring big because they can be out by quite a bit.

I hear ya on the not knowing! For me it is conflict between VBAC and ELCS, driving me mad! x

You might be offered a sweep first to see if that works? My friend was given at sweep at 37 weeks and it worked!

With our first, he was always measuring big. I had the GD test which was also negative. It probably varies from trust to trust but I wasn't booked in to be induced until 41±6 but thankfully I just so happened to birth naturally on the same date.
I wasn't treated any differently because they thought baby was going to be bigger. They just did regular growth scans.
DS was 9lb 5 but he was a long baby and we have big babies in our family. Birth wasn't any different because he was bigger and they didn't want to induce me early either because of it.
I don't think your scan at 32 weeks is anything to be concerned about. Like others have said, they aren't necessarily accurate. I had one at 33 for this pregnancy and baby was 5lb 10 but at 36 weeks had only put on a lb which they were fine with. Baby had a spurt and then went back on track on his graph. Baby has been on the 50th percentile throughout (pregnancies after your first are measured slightly differently as they take into account previous birth weights etc).
Try not to worry, it's good they are monitoring you..you just may not need too many newborn clothes!

'pregnancies after your first are measured slightly differently as they take into account previous birth weights etc'

Wow @PuddingPie16, I did not know that! So if you had a previous 'big' baby do they plot higher than if it was your first, and visa versa?

@Amz6219 I'm not 100% of all of the technicalities but yes, they take into account previous births (or maybe just your one prior - not sure?). My chart for this baby has my DS weight, term he was born and what percentile he was too at the top.
I only found this out recently too when I mentioned to the Consultant and Midwife "Oh, the baby is measuring average at the 50th percentile?" and they chuckled and went "yes 50th percentile specifically for you." So baby isn't measuring as big as DS but likely higher than someone who is on the 50th percentile with their first baby. Hope that makes sense! I found it quite interesting

@PuddingPie16 that is really interesting! Worrying for me too because my first was off the chart and this one is already 90th centile! If they underestimate then she must be another giant! :-D

I am only petite (5 ft 2 and slim), don't know how I grow these massive babies!

My baby has consistently been measuring big - had a 33wk scan yesterday and baby estimated at 6lb 6oz and 97th percentile. Have tested negative for GD but they’re going to test again as it can apparently be variable and not always show up. I’ve been advised I’m looking at making a decision around 36wks whether to go for an early induction, c section or let things take their course naturally and hope for natural birth by 40wks. Such a headache!