Bump measuring big at 28 and 31 weeks

[PockerMaus]

Hi guys

Just wondering what people's experiences of their bump measuring bigger than expected? At my 28 wk appointment I was measuring 34 and at my 31 wk I was measuring 35 wk. (Above 100th percentile on the chart both times).

Originally my midwife referred me for the GD test which came back negative. She didn't seem concerned however at my next appointment I had a different midwife who was confused as to why I hadn't been referred for a growth scan. She then referred me for one however I got a letter saying it's now cancelled....

I'm just wondering about other people's experiences? I was told that a bigger bump is less worrying than a smaller one which I kinda understand but also if I'm plotting way off the chart surely there's something going on?

Anyone else measured way off the scale? What was your experience? Was your baby actually bigger? :)

Bump measurement is absolute nonsense and they need to abolish it

They kept threatening my friends with scares of GD, pressuring to have growth scans because her bump was measuring very big.

Her baby was barely 6lbs when he was born!

I do agree it does seem a bit of an odd and very varying measurement! For me, I'd be happy with an extra scan to just make sure all is well! But yeah I do think it adds an unnecessary sense of fear to the individual 🥴

With my first, I had an enormous bump, which started showing very early. I also had the GD test, which came back negative, and a couple of growth scans. At the final scan, done at 38 weeks, they said I should consider being induced early or having a c section for fear of baby getting stuck.

In fairness to them, he was 9lb 6oz, born at just over 39 weeks, and he was absolutely refusing to leave so they had to pry him out with forceps during a c section! I firmly believe that he would have stayed put until 42 weeks and been an absolute giant!!!

So, in fairness, bump measurements and growth scans aren't always inaccurate. But they also don't mean anything is wrong. You might just have a big baby!

I know several mums who were told they were expected to have huge babies

we all had perfectly normally sized babies but it cause a lot if unnecessary anxiety

It really does cause a lot of unnecessary stress for expectant mothers.

I have a friend who is just shy of 4 weeks behind me. If you were to compare our bumps, you’d think she is on the brink of giving birth compared to me.

our bump shape and size depends on our build / physique, weight and muscle etc.

Scans can be a bit more accurate (the 4D ones) where you can actually see how chunky / chubby baby is.

some people just have skinny long limbed babies etc. I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you but i would welcome extra scans just to see baby!

After a first pregnancy where I consistently measured on the 50th centile, during my second I measured big at an appointment then small at the next, generated a lot of stress, suspicion of things being wrong, lots of ultrasounds… baby was born absolutely fine. Bump measurement and ultrasounds were all off!