Fundal heigh confusion. Anyone been referred for a growth scan then cancelled?

[PockerMaus]

Hi

Just looking for a bit of advice with regards to fundal heigh measurements.

We have been referred for a growth scan 3 times at our midwife appointments (28 wk, 31 wk and 34wks) as firstly the fundal measurement was high, then it didn't change between wk 28 and 31 and then at our appointment last week it had increased but the midwife said she doesn't really understand our graph.

Each time the referral has been made, the consultant at the hospital has cancelled it and said no need but surely the MWs wouldn't keep referring it?

Just wondering what other people's experiences with fundal height measurements were? Did they have any correlation with actual size of your baby? Should I worry that I keep getting referred but the scan gets cancelled?

Just an anxious FTM so no mean replies pls!

This exact thing happened to me in my last pregnancy and I was afraid my baby would be massive. He was 7lb 7oz so by no means big at all. I’m quite short so think maybe it was cos my bump was prominent. Personally I don’t think it’s very accurate but I’m not an expert.

I would raise it with your midwife yes, if you are measuring above the 90th centile as your chart suggests then you should be having a growth scan to check the size of baby and how much water you have etc. The fundal height measurements are notoriously inaccurate, growth scans are better but still not that accurate- but important to check on baby all the same. Hope you get somewhere with this, sounds like baby is growing well but it isn't clear why your scans have been cancelled.

I would push for this.
i think I was always told if you’re measuring 3cm above what you should be eg measuring 36 weeks at 33 weeks, then you should be scanned.

its not just the size of the baby, its what’s potentially causing you to be bigger, for example, excess amniotic fluid, gestational diabetes, infection etc

your midwife is doing it for a reason, baby should be checked imo

I've been referred for two growth scans, one for being too small at 25 weeks (below 10th percentile) then again 6 weeks later for being too big (above 90th). The growth scan I had after the first referral actually measured the baby as being closer to 60th percentile. The most recent referral resulted in the scan being cancelled due to under staffing in our local health authority; the consultant said I wasn't a priority due to lack of other risk factors.

I'd take the fundal height measurement with a huge pinch of salt. I've only had two my entire pregnancy (they're meant to be done at every appointment from 25 weeks according to the NHS site - I'm almost 38 weeks now, so should have had 5 measurements taken by now). Both were taken by different midwives. I document a weekly bump photo and between the two measurements where I allegedly jumped from too small to too big, the difference in size on my photos looks miniscule and gradual to me. I still don't feel like I'm massive, and people are always surprised when I tell them I was told I was measuring big (even the health visitor was a baffled). When I see photos or videos of other women at the same gestation, I definitely don't look any bigger; in fact I'd say I'm comparatively smaller. But every body is different and there are so many factors that will affect the perception of bump size.

Obviously if you have any concerns yourself - changes in movement, feeling especially tired or uncomfortable etc - then I'd chase it by contacting the antenatal unit directly. I haven't pursued the cancelled scan because nothing has changed in my wellbeing, but if you feel concerned in yourself then it's definitely worth pursuing.

I was measuring ridiculously big at my midwife appointmens in my first pregnancy. I was referred for a growth scan around the 30week mark.
That scan predicted a massive 9-10lb baby.
Absolutely nothing was done about this. No additional monitoring. No diabetes test. Midwife stopped measuring at appointments in fact!
I was induced early due to pre-eclampsia and had a daughter weighing 6lb 9oz!
Not exactly the predicted 10lb baby!
I think because im short and baby was laying in a stupid position, basically head sticking outwards I measured big. I almost had a bump on the bumb because of her head.
I would question it and maybe speak to someone in maternity triage if youre concerned, Ive found them more helpful than the community midwives.

It's weird how each person is treated differently! I'm now 35 weeks and no extra scan even though I was measuring 6cm higher than the average. I did get given a GD test though. Glad your little one arrived safely x

I will call then again! I did have a GD test to be fair but I wasn't sure if other causes could pose a risk. I didn't even think of infection ....

Did they give you additional scans?

@PockerMaus No they didn’t because they said it had evened out and there was no need. They were going to initially. Have you been offered a scan ?

My midwife has referred me three times as he was measuring 34 at my 28 week, then same measurement at my 31 week. He was then measuring 36 at my 34 week 🤷🏼‍♀️ but then the consultant has cancelled them each time saying not needed so it's a bit confusing!

@PockerMaus mine measured big for a few weeks they were going to do a scan then it evened out so they didn’t.
ask for the rationale why they keep referring you and why the consultant keeps cancelling. Explain to them it is making you anxious and see what they say. You are getting mixed messages here and it’s not fair on you.