Measuring on 99th Centile at 28 weeks

[SemperIdem]

I had my 28 week midwife appointment yesterday, at which fundal measurements were done for the first time. The midwife measured fundal height as being on the 99th centile.

I wasn’t referred for a growth scan but apparently will be if the measurements track the same at my next appointment.

I was really quite surprised by it, my first was a small baby (born on 25th centile), I’m a small person and feel a bit worried about the idea of having a very large baby and the birth risks associated. I had a horrible second degree tear delivering my first so can’t help but suspect it would be even worse with a bigger baby.

Any experience/advice would be really appreciated!

Do they factor in that it’s not your first pregnancy? What I mean is that I’m a lot larger this time at 25 weeks than I was last time at 25 weeks. Don’t our bumps come earlier with subsequent pregnancies and wouldn’t that affect it?

I’m not sure if the midwife did factor that in. There has been a big gap between the pregnancies (10 years). Both times I’ve not had a bump until about 20 weeks.

Looking at photos of first compared second, they look pretty much the same bump wise, to me. Granted that’s not a scientific measurement.

@SemperIdem I was going to say as well maybe that doesn’t matter if it’s the 2nd/3rd pregnancy (my comment) because they are supposed to feel where the uterus is rather than just the size of the bump?

Sorry I don’t have any direct experience. Hopefully someone comes along who can offer advice.

My friend measured huge and was quite high each time in the measurements, it turned out that she just had more amniotic fluid and her little girl came out ~50th-60th percentile. I can’t remember the exact percentile she said but it was around that.

I know someone else too who measured on the very top end, they advised her to have a csection. Her son was born on the 90th or 95th percentile.

Fundal height isn't that accurate but also some babies grow at different rate to others. I had a big baby and went for lots of growth scans and he went from being on 97 centile slowly down to 88 centile before birth. When he arrived, one week late, he was 8lb 11 so big but not outrageous. Nobody suggested a c section although there was some chat about early induction when he was measuring at his biggest. In the end I just let him come when he was ready and it was fine. I'm bigger than you though at 5'10 so was less concerned

I feel a bit silly for being so worried, especially as logically I know fundal height measurements aren’t completely accurate. But I really am worried.