Experiences when measuring big

[Tolo210]

Hi, I’ve been consistently measuring 2 weeks ahead since 28 weeks, however this week the 2 week gap has jumped to 3 weeks. I am 34 weeks and measuring at 37. Midwife didn’t explain what this means for my labour when I asked…I was just wondering if people that have experienced this could offer any insight. Were you induced early? Was it a normal induction or because baby was big did you need a section? At my next appointment I should be 36 weeks measuring 39 weeks…do they let you go over 42? (Talking about measurement not actual gestation) thank you!

Is this your fundal measurements or growth scan measurements of the baby?
I’ve been measuring big (well above the 100 percentile) every time I have been measured. After three “big” measurements my hospital get you to come in for a growth scan, which is what happened after my last appointment at 31 weeks. Turns out he’s measuring just above 50% and it’s just the way I carry so nothing to worry about, so if it’s you measuring bigger I’d ask about a growth scan.
If the baby itself is measuring bigger then I was told I’d be offered an early induction but I’m not sure of the details of when that would happen.
Have you been tested for gestational diabetes?

@Pizzaandsushi thanks for your reply! It’s fundal measurements. No I haven’t been tested for gestational diabetes, I’ve searched it myself but the midwife hasn’t even mentioned this to me either…in fact at my last appointment she said to me “I don’t have time to have a chat about labour this time or at your next appointment but we can try the time after that”…I’ll be 38 weeks! So yeah she doesn’t give me much confidence anyway I’m afraid

I am following this thread as I am in a similar situation. It’s odd how different trusts work though isn’t it, the moment I measured small, I was sent for a growth scan where he was above 90th percentile. I then measured big at my next appointment so had another growth scan and he’s above 97th percentile now. I have had my glucose tolerance test already due to diabetes in the family, but they did test my urine for glucose after my last growth scan again to make sure. I am due in again for another scan at 35 weeks to check on size.

I have been happy with the extra monitoring but I am wondering if it means my midwife is more likely to push for intervention. I do feel like he’s big in there, but I will be reluctant to induce based purely on growth scans as it’s all so inaccurate. Will be interesting to see others experiences!

I'm 35 weeks measuring 39 weeks. I have been measuring ahead by 3-4 weeks since 28 weeks. I was sent for growth scan which detected polyhydraminios and I was then investigated for gestational diabetes which found out I had it.

I’ve measured big on both babies, but they were never that concerned. First was 8lb and second was a whopper at 10lb 5, but she was 13 days late so she probably would’ve been around 8lb too at due date. And anyway the second labour was a doddle despite her size!

I measured big on my last baby, I was consistently told he would be over 10lbs and he was 8.

Oooof yeah that’s not comforting at all coming from your midwife.
They usually do a check for gestational diabetes at 28 weeks. I don’t know if it’s routine for everyone though as being mixed ethnicity automatically included me in the group to be tested but they can definitely still test you at any point until birth so don’t worry you’ve missed your chance.
Has your urine always come back clear for glucose?
I suspect if you don’t have any of the symptoms or risk factors for GD you’re probably fine but you never know and it’s not great that you’ve been measuring ahead every time and your midwife hasn’t given a reason why or if anything needs doing.
Do you see the same midwife every time and does your midwife come to you or do you go somewhere for your appointments? I’m wondering if you have to go somewhere for the appointments if you could speak to someone else.
The other option might be to ring your maternity assessment unit and explain the situation and if a growth scan is recommended or if they can at least tell you what it means to be measuring ahead.
In fact that’s what I’d do and say you’re well into your third trimester and are concerned given the fact you won’t get a chance to speak to your midwife properly until 38 weeks.

I measured big on both my pregnancies. Had lots of growth scans and was tested for diabetes again. First time I was induced on due date, wasn't the best experience. Baby was 10lb4. Second time, same situation, told me baby would be over 11lb wanted to induce me early etc. I was measuring more ahead than you are now. I didn't want induced again and read around lots and nice guidelines etc. I went into labour naturally 2 days after my due date, had a great birth and baby was 9lb10!!! So I know it is quite scary with all the measurements but in my experience they can be wildly wrong. On my third pregnancy now and I am going to take the same approach again, just so much stress for no reason! The risk they spoke about with big babies is shoulder dystocia but I also had a friend who's baby was 8lb and ended up being stuck, so it is a risk but they are aware of that and can act appropriately and be prepared.

At 36 weeks I was told my daughter was already over 10lbs! When she was born at 39+4 she was 8lb2 x

With DS1 I didn't measure big, size was never mentioned and I didn't have any growth scans etc. He arrived 2 weeks early and was 8lb 12oz - so definitely on the big side. I often wonder what he'd have weighed if he'd reached his due date!
Midwife said to me after "oh, I didn't have you down as having a big baby."

With DS2 I measured big by fundal height and was sent for a growth scan. Scan suggested a reasonably big baby, but just under the 90th centile, or whatever it was which was the benchmark for them considering any alternative plan of action.
He arrived just after his due date at 8lb 9oz....so a healthy size but not massive and certainly smaller than his brother!

So in my experience there's not necessarily any rhyme or reason to it. It can be a useful tool to check and flag up potential issues, but it's also definitely not accurate so don't take it as gospel.

If your MW has any concerns based on the fundal measurement then they'll send you for a scan

@Pizzaandsushi she’s never mentioned any problems with my urine. I didn’t actually know they check it for glucose though I thought it was just protein. I go to my doctors and she’s the only midwife there, so no one else to advise me. I may speak to the maternity unit. Just hope they don’t see who my midwife is and then tell her I called to ask questions as i don’t find she’s much help!

I measured big and scanned every couple of weeks. I was eventually told that they recommend I be induced as baby would likely be 10.6 full term and I would likely need a section if I didn't get induced.

I was induced 39 weeks and it took 6 days. Baby was born 8.6 a day before due date so in hindsight I wish I hadn't been induced

As a previous poster said I’m sure if there was any concern she would have said something and as you can see from mine and others experience these measurements can be wildly off! It’s just frustrating she’s not been clearer in the first place or provided any extra information.
I completely understand your worry about phoning the MAU and them possibly then speaking to your midwife. I’d be the same and wouldn’t want to rock the boat or cause difficulties but if you do decide to phone, I’d phrase it to say you forgot to ask her at the time and wasn’t sure of her availability so thought best to phone the MAU directly instead.

I measured big and was sent for a growth scan and a gestational diabetes test. I had GD as it turned out but it never showed on the urine tests they do. Ask her next time for a scan. She sounds useless.

Incidentally, my baby was born at 35 weeks (unrelated issue) at 6lb10 so he would have been a big baby at term!

I'm currently measuring big, growth scan was showing 8lb6 at 38w5d. Doctor wanted to book me in for early induction but senior doc said no to keep me go 10 days over due date.
My 1st born was born at 37w5d at 7lb15.5 so he is history of me having big babies. Pretty much the same line the current one is on.

Really wish this bubba would come out soon!!

I measured 2 weeks ahead consistently. I had s private 4D scan at 27 + 6 where they said baby was big and to let my midwife know. Midwife seemed annoyed when I tried to tell her and wouldn't even look at the measurements from the scan. It was confusing because sonographer from private scan said that the scan was more accurate but midwife said fundal height was!
I went to the maternity assessment ward on 3 separate occasions over a few weeks for reduced movements and at the 3rd time they referred me for growth scan because the Consultant said baby felt big. Scan was at 34+2 and baby was on 97th centile with extra fluid present and estimated weight of 6lb 9oz. They also said to ask my midwife to arrange GTT (which was fine). Plus she was breech. Had a rescan at 37+2 where she was now off the chart at estimated weight of 8lbs 7oz. I also developed severe SPD at around 35 weeks. After scan at 37+2 I went through the options with Dr (induction was recommended 'sooner than later') and I've chosen a planned section due to baby's size, the SPD being so bad, plus anxiety from previous miscarriage around the sane time of year. Consultant was happy to support my decision.
I would definitely keep pushing to speak to someone else- your body, your baby. Had I not been in for the reduced movements I don't know if anything would've been done as my midwife kept dismissing the measurements as OK because they were consistent.

I wouldn't be worrying about fundal height measurements tbh, they're not reliable.

I measured big and the babies were big on growth scans, they were big when born. I had sections but all was fine.

If the fundal height measurements are consistent and remain on the chart then no there wouldn't normally be cause for concern. I know it's jumped from 2 weeks to 3 but it's not a huge jump, not like you've jumped from 0-3. I'm 37 weeks and been measuring 2 weeks ahead throughout when measured by the same community midwife. I did actually get sent for a growth scan a couple of days ago as I attended triage who said my fundal height hasn't changed in 2 weeks, growth scan was fine though and according to that we're on 50th venture with estimated weight of 6lb9oz. Growth charts aren't accurate when different people are measuring as everyone seems to measure differently.
You'll also normally only get referred for a GTT if you have certain factors, I've been referred in both pregnancies but at 34 weeks which has only been a fasting blood test - the referrals have only been as I've had glucose more than once in my urine. Both came back negative.