Measuring bump - accuracy

[MrsMcnulty20]

Hi,

I’m not living in England but have been told by a midwife that in England women no longer have their bumps measured due to how inaccurate this is. Anyone know if that’s the case? I can’t find anything to support that online, it looks like everyone in the UK gets their bumps measured.

Im in Wales and had a lot of issues with inaccurate measurements in my first pregnancy and had to repeatedly turn down inductions based on baby’s size (which goes against NICE guidelines). I’m pregnant again now and just thinking about my options and mulling over refusing to have my bump measured. But I’m basing that on the idea that they don’t do it in England!

Thank you!

They do measure bumps in England yes, and if they measure as expected for gestation on your growth chart then no action is taken. If they measure bigger or smaller than expected, you are sent for growth scans for a more accurate check. Even though growth scans are more accurate, those measurements can be inaccurate also- statistics vary by study but the general consensus is that they can be approx a pound out either way.

I understand why you would not want to accept an induction based on bump measurement, you should be referred a growth scan to be able to make a more informed decision.

Midwives still measure pregnant women's bumps in England. I gave birth a few months ago and measured very very small, like 1st centile. Midwife sent me for growth scans and my baby always measured around 50th centile. DD was born just below 7lb.

I refused to have my bump measured by different HCP and insisted it was the same midwife. I also insisted on going back another day for a second measurement when she thought I'd gone up a centile. I hadn't. Therefore saved myself the stress of growth scans and all the unnecessary drama that can cause if there is no issue in the first place.

Thanks all. No idea why the midwife told me that… doesn’t help with my distrust of maternity HCPs!

thanks, I think I’ll do the same. Last time it was a Covid baby and I saw a different midwife every time, so hopefully will be a bit more stable this time anyway.

Some places in England have stopped measuring bumps, that is true. Other places are still doing it.
I'm a midwife and in our Trust we measure, one of the neighbouring Trusts has stopped.

I'm in Wales, at a previous and my first consultant appointment they did measure my bump. I've had another consultant appointment since plus several midwife appointments and my bump hasn't been measured since.
I am on monthly growth scans so maybe this is the reason why they don't measure me more regularly.

Ah ok, that’s good to know. Thank you

In England, measured at evert apt.
First midwife measured it completely wrong(or maybe just my tummy was slower to stretch), all subsequent measurements follow growth line perfectly and matched scans (had two due to first wrong measurement).

I measure 2 weeks behind in both my pregnancies via my bump, then growth scans usually show baby is a week ahead! So 3 weeks different in measurements of bump Vs actual baby. I just carry small, they hide somewhere in me haha. My trust still measure, they measured me a week ago x

tagging it to ask does bump measuring start from a certain gestation week? Because I’m 20 this week and haven’t had my bump measured once?

I'm in Wales and had bump measured every appointment from maybe week 26? Can't fully remember when it started tbh!

I turned down a growth scan when a different midwife measured and the growth seemed to have dropped this oregnancy. When it was back to my normal midwife all the measurements stayed on track!

I had a growth scan in my first pregnancy because of measurements being all over the place - measurements put ds at 3rd percentile, growth scan at abive 90th (10lb baby predicted!). He came out 6lb 14oz!

In my opinion all the measurements are so inaccurate - advocate for what you want/are comfortable with op!

@AprilShwrs I'm in London, second baby, mine started at 28 week midwife appointment x

@Ttcmumma ahh okay! That makes sense then 😅