31 weeks pg but measuring 39 weeks - what are the options?

[moleymo]

I have a friend who is pg with her second child and she looks ready to give birth any moment. She is 31 weeks pg but midwife has measured her at 39 weeks.

She's having a scan this week, but v worried about what may happen? Will they want to induce her?

She also has some protein in her urine which can indicate pre-eclampsia can't it?

Has anyone had anything similar and made it to full term? Her first baby was normal delivery around her due date weighing 8lbs.

The scan should show whether

(a) (the most likely option) the baby is perfectly normally sized and she has perfectly normal levels of amniotic fluid, her fundal height is just measuring ahead for some reason. In this case they won't worry about it.

(b) She has elevated levels of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios). This can be because
(i) There's a problem with the baby's urinary or digestive system (they'll check this on the scan so will know if it's an issue or not). If so they'll proceed on the basis of what they find on the scan, or
(ii) She just does for no particular reason -- will mean they will want to manage the labour slghtly differently (no artificial rupture of membranes) but generally no big deal.

(c) The baby is measuring big. Research doesn't show any benefit to inducing early if the baby's big unless the mother has gestational diabetes, but some doctors do like to do it anyway. If the baby is measuring big they may want her to do a glucose tolerance test to rule out gestational diabetes and may also go back and consider moving her dates unless she's sure of them.

The protein in the urine is likely to be a separate issue but if she shows signs of pre-eclampsia they may want to induce early for that, yes.

i had the same thing with my last pg i had v. large baby and polyhydramnious.They scaned me every week and i was told to take it easy i was induced at 37 weeks and he was 8lbs 3oz and when my waters broke there was so much it socked through the midwifes shoes .I was also tested for g d

I think she is carrying a lot of fluid - midwife has been unable to confirm position of baby as she can't feel it.

Just a bit worried for her as she's finding it so tough this time round esp running round after a toddler - I've offered to take her dd off her hands for a few hours, but she's the last person to accept an offer of help.

i got so big towards the end that i had to except help i could not do anything and i had 2dc to pick up from school everyday
if i was you i would just keep reminding her of your help and if she needs it she will know where to come

with my last son now 4 i measured 39 at 31 wks also reason a lot a fluid some had leaked out into my stomach lining (it turned out i had umbilical hernia) i had to be induced at 37 wks he weighed nearly 10lb i hate to think what he would have been full term.long labour due to being induced but very very quick once fully dilated like 30 seconds.my new little one is due in july im so hoping for a average size baby makes life easier during the pregnancy especially walking.

ok - I've just spoken to her dh. she's had a scan and prognosis is not looking great.

Baby has large cyst which has taken over one lung. heart is slightly smaller as cyst is too big. she has an appt with specialist in the city first thing tomorrow where she'll be able to find out more re: treatment and delivery options. local hospital have only seen one case like this in the last 40 years so couldn't give her much info

moleymo -- they may find it useful to look at Making Contact (a site for parents of disabled children or those with unusual medical conditions to get in touch with one another). There are several people listed against CCAM (Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation) which is what it sounds as though their baby has. Look here for a list.

Thank you - that does sound exactly like what her DH described. I'll mention that website to them.