Measuring 42weeks at 36weeks

[Loulouhels]

Hello all!

I just wondered if anybody had any experience of measuring this big?

My 36 week appointment fell on Christmas Day so my midwife suggested I visit the local midwife drop in centre on Christmas Eve to just get the normal checks rather than wait another week (I had a trace of protein in my urine at 34 weeks)

I saw a community midwife - my urine and blood pressure were fine. I have swollen feet, ankles and hands but other than that everything was normal. Head is down, on the brim of my pelvis but not engaged. She couldn't tell which way the baby was positioned i.e. back on left or right side because she said my tummy felt like a football and was really hard!!!

Anyway she came to measure my fundal height and she told me I was measuring 42 weeks!!!! I know I am big but to measure 6 weeks ahead is ridiculous. My dates are spot on so I know I am only 36 weeks but she didn't seem worried. I am only 5ft and Normally a Size 10-12. Up until week 32 I had only put on 1 and a half stone but seem to have put on another half a stone in three and a half weeks

I've been dwelling on it all over Christmas and wondering my I am measuring so big??? Can I demand a Growth scan??? I've been measuring one to two weeks ahead from around 28 weeks.

Does anyone else think this is strange and does anyone know if I can insist on a Scan? My next midwife appointment is not until the 11th Jan so I don't want to wait until then. Can I ask my GP to refer me or should I go back down the clinic to see if they can make me appointment??

Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Helen xx

She should have referred you for a scan. I was sent for a growth scan today because I was measuring 40 weeks at 37 weeks but it took over a week to come through. They were quite keen to take a look though.

My LO has a bit of a tummy on her but they don't seem that worried. I'd give them a ring or make another appointment and request a scan or at least some more info. I'm sure it's fine but it's not fair of them to leave you hanging like that.

I've been measuring ahead most of the time - at 36 weeks I was 40 cms. The midwife wasn't too worried. What she did was make an appointment for a week later to assess whether I needed a scan - by which time the baby's head had fully engaged. She said this meant that I probably had an appropriate size pelvis for this baby. You could ask to be checked again in a few days too.

I got the general impression that she wasn't too worried - if that's any help.

Loulou, if you have always been measured by the same mw it is not always helpful to be measured by someone else! Different people measure slightly differently. If you feel you have suddenly put on a lot of weight and your hands/feet are swollen maybe you retain water on the rest of your body too. And if mw commented how hard your bump was how well was she able to measure? I would go and see my regular mw if i were you.

Hi Loulou. I agree with madmouse, I think midwives have a difficult job measuring accurately and they probably err on the side of caution. I would either go back and ask for a referral slip from GP or midwife for additional scan, or ring the midwife team at the hospital and ask if you can come along. I know at my hospital it is possible to just go along if you have a concern (ie I didnt need a particular appt) - i did that during my last pregnancy when Id got very upset because I was sure that the baby had stopped moving at around 36 weeks. ~All was fine but like you I needed to know and to be reassured. Good luck

i measured 44wks at 33wks so measured very overdue but baby was just long and had alot of fluid

I would go and get it checked out. I don't want to worry you but I was measuring term at 30 weeks and had polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) which is something that needs to be managed at the birth.

I'd call the antenatal clinic on Monday and ask to see someone. I know it's a bit scary to call them if you don't have an appointment (or maybe that's just wimpy me ) but they will see you if you're worried.

Don't wait to be seen if you are anxious.

Have you been checked for Gestational Diabetes? GD can result in a big baby. GD can be easily managed so please don't worry or panic.

i measured 39 weeks at 29 weeks

was then under consultant care for the rest of my pregnancy, scanned fortnightly

all agreed baby was measuring on the 97th centile

i was warned to expect a big one

out popped (not quite literally) ds2 at 7lbs 6oz

the consultant told me they frankly know feck all from scans

Oh yes - after measuring massive, my DS was under 7lbs when he was born so don't worry you're going to give birth to a monster child

Someone told me that if they get the measurements out by even 1mm it can make a massive difference in how big they think your baby is.

Main thing is don't worry. But get checked

I dont want to be a scaremonger... but i was measuring similar to you with my last baby. I asked for a scan and was told my baby was going to be big...10lbs at least ( my first was 9.5lbs) DS2 actually weighed in at 11.2lbs... so they were right. I am currently 31 weeks and going for another growth scan in three weeks time... i am measuring 4 weeks over than what i am.

Guess i am saying, its best to get it checked out so do ask for the scan, then you can be prepared for anything! - will be interesting to see what they say, and then what he/she weighs in at!

oh by the way i had gd and was told dd would be over 10lb she was 7lb 14oz

should just say though, i am 5ft9 and hubby is 6ft 3 so its not like we are going to have tiny babies!!

I was tested for GD this time round and thankfully dont have it, i think that i just 'bake' big ones!!