Almost 31 weeks, 97th percentile?! Worried

[BRDouble]

Hi everyone. I will be 31 weeks this Thursday, first baby. Just had a midwife appointment and I asked for the third time why is my due date from the scan different to what’s on the growth chart. Finally this midwife (I’m supposed to have one but have seen 4 so far) said that’s not right I’m going to have to do a new one as your due date is what you were told at the scan not what’s on the chart. Turns out he is in the 97th percentile and maybe a little large. I was told not to panic (which I did) and that I might be referred for a growth scan. Im 5’6, weighed just under 10 stone before getting pregnant and so far have put on 17lbs. I thought you only have larger babies if the parents are large? I’m worried and would appreciate any thoughts. Could he have something wrong with him? And what happens if he stays big, early induction and c-section?! I know my mind is running ahead. Bursting into tears after getting that text from the midwife has also actually shown me how much I love and care for him already as up to now I haven’t felt a huge connection. Thank you

I haven't been in this situation but wanted to bump this up for you. If there is an issue (an it's just an if!) then it's good to have it investigated, however anecdotally I'd say that measuring baby isn't terribly accurate especially if you're talking about having your bump measured which I think you are?? If you've had a text from the midwife can you not give them a call and maybe they can calm your nerves a bit xx

Thanks so much @Milkteefs. Yes I’ve had him measured three times with a tape measure but it was only today they listened to me when I said my due date is different on the growth chart to what’s on my 20 week scan notes so they’ve had to do a new chart 🙄 I’ve calmed down a bit now and will give the midwife a call. Getting a text saying ‘don’t panic but I will send you for a scan next time’ makes you panic! X

If you've not even had a growth scan yet I'd really really not panic. I was referred for a scan last week for measuring too small. Results of the scan actually found baby is too big! Not ideal as I've now been referred for having a too big baby -- but certainly shows that the bump measurements are not very accurate!

I'm 5ft4, was about 9.5st before pregnancy. DH is 5ft8 and probably weighs 10st if he's lucky so both smallish people. We had one 7lb baby who has stayed tiny. Then one 9lb little chunk who has nearly caught up to his 2yo sister in weight before he's even 6 months 🤷🏼‍♀️

I measured big by tape measure at 33 weeks and got a scan that said he was measuring at the size for 37 weeks. Got tested for gestational diabetes, have they offered you that test? I was borderline but they didn't give me the test kit so I just tried to follow a GD diet as best I could until he was born.

Do you know if it's a boy or girl? How much are your dates out by?

Should also say that pushing out the 9lb baby was much easier than the 7lb one! I got my knickers in a bit of a twist worrying about inductions etc but he came on his own at 40+5.

I'm 5'1 and my bump measured off the chart (massive ) at my 31w appointment. The midwife wasn't concerned and said if it was still big next time she'd refer me for a scan. The next 2 measurements have been smack bang in the middle of average, so I've just had one random high one and the rest have been average. Don't panic, there's a lot of variation even just in the way different midwives measure you.

@Whatshouldicallme thank you, hope all goes well which I’m sure it will. Yes you’re right, that method doesn’t seem completely reliable

@fluffybunny98765 thank you, that’s really helped. I haven’t been offered a GD test. He’s a boy :-) My partner is 6’3 and about 15/16 st, so neither of us particularly big at all, and his children from a previous relationship were all under 8lb as was he

@mooloop oh thank you! I’be definitely calmed down a bit now haha. Off the chart measurements and 5’1 😂

@fluffybunny98765 sorry, forgot to answer that the dates are out by 4 days. 20 week scan said 16/12 EDD and growth chart says 12/12 EDD which midwife says is wrong and to go by scan

After your growth scan if your baby is big (remember the midwife is meassuring you, fluid and baby) then they will do a diabetes test to see if you have Gestational diabetes.

Also, some people just have big babies.
Please try not to panic/ worry until you have some more information.

I can't see 4 days making much of a difference to the percentile. As PP said, someone has to have the big babies! I'm sure I read a thread recently about someone worried about giving birth to a big baby and lots of people with stories of how the bigger babies came out more easily so have a read of that!

Bless you. You are right when you say that your body grows the right size of baby for you! Like a PP, I am also 5’1 and was alarmed when my baby measured >97th centile at my 36 week scan. I went into labour at 37+6 and he was born at 38+2 weighing 7lb5oz, on the 49th centile.

Moral of the story: measurements are inaccurate, and get more inaccurate the closer to term you get. Excepting issues like GD, your body knows what to do and when it’s ready to do it. You’re going to be great!

I was referred for a growth scan at around that stage and tested for gestational diabetes, which turned out negative. I'm 5'4 and normally 8.5 stone. The scan apparently showed he could be 10lbs. The consultant freaked me out by saying I 'might be able to give birth naturally' and talked about induction. Labour started naturally and he was born at 39+1 weighing 7 lb 12 in a pool with only gas and air. So try not to jump ahead and worry: easier said than done, I know.

I had a growth scan at 32 weeks with DS2. He was measuring 99th centile.

He was an easy labour/birth and arrived just over 2 weeks early, 9lbs 2oz. I had been told I'd be offered induction at 40 weeks.

Don't panic until you have a growth scan and a better idea of what's happening.

Dont worry about it regardless of what charts and scans say. I was 8stone and 5 foot 1 before my daughter.. she was 8.6 at 40+4 and I was about 8 stone 2 before getting pregnant again im now 33 weeks pregnant with a little boy and he was 3.6 at 28 weeks so he's gunna be a big one haha. Aslong as they're healthy all is good! I did have a section with my first after been induced but it was ok and this time I'm having a planned section. Had test for GD all fine. Partner slim and 5.11 Apparently I just make big babies!

I had two growth scans and DD was measuring at 99th percentile. She was born on her due date bang on 50th percentile.

My bump measured massive and was always well over what they expected, I have a short body tho and am 5’3. My baby measured 97th percentile and his head was significantly over 100th percentile. He arrived at 36 weeks naturally, 6lb 12.5 oz, and was perfect. I had the gestational diabetes test and a Torch screen which was positive for CMV but at birth he presented normally. I now have a strapping tall 13 year old!
My pregnancy was fraught with worry and I wish I’d enjoyed it more.

Thanks @Getoutofbed25, I will take that advice and try to just focus on the now 😊

@SylvanasWindrunner my old work colleague has just said exactly the same in her experience!

Thanks @jellybe I’ve definitely calmed down now and will just wait and see, I haven’t even been told I’ll definitely need a scan yet anyway!

@fluffybunny98765 yes you’re right, there are so many instances of the scan/midwife measurements being incorrect. It will be what it will be 😊

@LabradorFiasco that’s so lovely thank you, I really appreciate it ❤️

@Needingsupportplease @JazzTheDog @Rosie55 I really appreciate your responses thank you, I do feel much more positive and him being healthy is the most important thing

Thanks everyone! 💕

Just to say those bump measurements are notoriously inaccurate (far more so than the growth scans which are also fairly inaccurate!) and there are a plethora of reasons why the measurement might be off which don’t all mean big baby!

On the opposite side, I measured fairly average through my last pregnancy and baby came out 9lb7 which was a surprise (it was also an easier birth than my smaller first baby)

Thanks @Narwhalsh I do keep hearing this actually! I feel so much better. Will wait for midwife app in a couple of weeks

I would take it with a pinch of salt. I measured 95th my whole pregnancy. My little boy was 3 days over due and 7lb14. My friend measured way about the top line and her little boy was 4 days late and only 7lb15 despite the growth scan showing him at 8lb at 39 weeks. Same happened with her first. He was predicted by scan to be 9lb at 40 weeks he was born at 42 weeks and 7lb8 xx

Size can be scary but it isn't everything. I had a tiny 5lb 5oz premie baby and the labour was horrendous. Her shoulder got stuck behind my pubic bone and it was all very scary. My 5ft 0, size 6 colleague had a 10lb+ baby and her labour was a breeze. She was doing her make up while her DH was texting everyone to announce their new arrival shortly after the birth.

Try not to worry. I had a growth scan around 32 weeks and they said my baby was measuring about 5-6 weeks ahead of schedule. I panicked because I myself am very petite and booked an elective induction for the earliest day (37 weeks I think) baby was 7lb 3 smaller than average for a boy!

@BRDouble I'm going through the same thing right now and I'm literally having an anxiety attack! Is there anyway I can talk to you via private message?

I was told my baby was bigger, she was 6.7lb

They're really not always right.

It's based on the fema bone I believe so you can have a long legged light baby! Or a heavy short legged baby!

What is your biggest worry? I don't think that birth weight necessarily indicates how easy/difficult your birth will be.

This is an old thread 😊 my son was born last December and was a healthy 8lbs with no issues