Big bump - what can I expect?

[RedRobyn2021]

Second pregnancy and my bump is definitely big this time round, I'm going for my 28 week appointment next week and want to know what to expect when my midwife measures my bump

I'm expecting she might want to send me for a growth scan

I'm also wondering if I might be recommended a GD test?

Is there anyone here that can advise what the procedure is within the NHS?

I imagine you'll get growth scan every 4 weeks from 32 like I did. I had a GD test but have a family history so not sure if you'll get that too.

Hi OP.

Depends on the protocol for your local maternity unit and where you're receiving care.

At the hospital I used to work at (about 8 years ago) we measured the bump and had a 3cm tolerance either way. So at 28 weeks you should measure 28cms +/- 3cms

Now the hospital I'm at uses a different protocol and pathway which follows centile lines and each centile line has different 'rules'. for example, if your 1st bump measurement is below the 10th centile you'll be offered a scan or if it was above the 90th centile. If the measurement shows an accelerated growth trajectory (crosses a centile line up instead of following the curve of the line) you may be offered a scan maybe a GDM test equally you'd be offered a scan if the growth stayed static or dropped below a centile line.

My bump was measuring big at my 28 week appointment and at every midwife appointment after that, so I had regular growth scans. Baby was a normal size though! 6lb 12
at birth at 37 weeks. I’m only 5’1 and a size 10 with narrow hips, so nowhere for bump to go but outwards. I’m 12 weeks with baby 2 now and already have a noticeable bump!

Oh and no test for GD for me, and I had a vaginal birth desperate thinking baby was going to be very big. At my growth scans he was coming up at 90th centile

Were you induced at 37 weeks? Or did you go into labour naturally?

Just interested because I was almost 2 weeks late with my daughter and I have this feeling that this baby might be earlier

@USaYwHatNow thank you, this is really informative

It also depends upon the where the placenta is attached in the uterus.

@RedRobyn2021 also just to add, if you do have a scan and they find all is well, that doesn't automatically mean you will have to have extra scans for the rest of your pregnancy.

I measured big and was sent for a growth scan; baby also measured big so I was sent for gestational diabetes test (my second one as I'd already had one for other factors). That came back fine but they brought me back for a couple more growth scans as he continued measuring larger. He's slowly come down the centiles so now he's at 88th (from a high of 97th) and so he's back under the guidelines for being "too big" or unusually big and nobody seems worried about it. I'm 39+2 and no sign of him yet!

@RedRobyn2021 I was induced the day I hit 37 weeks, for preterm premature rupture of membranes x