Accelerated growth at 36 weeks but doctors aren’t concerned?

[RozzieRoo]

Hey, wondering if anyone else has been in this position please.

My baby has practically hugged the 50th centile line since we began growth scans at 26 weeks. He dipped slightly and was on 41st centile at 33 weeks but I’ve put this down to natural variations one would expect with fetal measurements.

Today at 36+3 my baby is now on the 87th centile which is to me an insane jump and is quite concerning. I am worried I may have gestational diabetes or something similar. I have just recently been seen at triage and although I had some protein in my urine, and I’ve been having some nasty braxton hicks, I am okay. However I would expect that after such a jump they would want to text me for diabetes, seeing as I am high risk for it (already had a GTT which was negative). I’ve had some persistent headaches and baby has had a couple of episodes of RFM and dodgy monitoring (decels and flat) which has always ended up okay in the end, but that’s about it.

The consultant wants me to be scanned at 39 weeks to make sure that the growth trajectory isn’t continuing- If it does they would like to induce me.

I feel a bit uncomfortable waiting until 39 weeks to see if he will continue to grow this big in case it is caused by something that would put my baby at risk.

Has anyone experienced accelerated growth like this? Am I over panicking? Or does anybody have any advice as to what I can do.

many thanks ❤️

It might be an anomaly. This happened to me but went back down to the 50th 2 weeks later and was born on 50th x

Growth scans get less accurate as pregnancy progresses. You could always request a repeat GTT if you wish. Can't really comment on RFM and CTGs as that's quite individual to you and would of course follow medical advice on that. But even if baby's growth is accelerating, very little would change in terms of delivery plan pre 39 weeks (assuming all else is well).
If it were me, I'd request the repeat GTT for peace of mind. This could be just a normal variation though.

@Upinthetreetops thank you! I didn’t realise I was allowed to request anything like that - worried they’ll tell me off! I’ll ring the community midwife on Monday I think, just to be on the safe side.

@User79853257976 that’s interesting the exact same happened to you! I can’t believe they can measure so far out 😅

I guess in theory they can say no but if you're voicing concerns they should support you😊 Sometimes advocating for yourself is the way to go, even if it's just for peace of mind. Hope you get support and are feeling more sure about things soon.

Yeah, they then wanted to induce me for reduced growth velocity but the consultant agreed with me that the high measurement must have been wrong.

Thank you everybody. I will let you know how it goes in my case!

Just to end this thread and give an update - he was 7lb 13oz. Lovely size, brilliant birth all except for cord wrapped round neck and so had decels and nearly had intervention but I squeezed him out fast so all good. Do wonder if that’s why we had so many problems with monitor when pregnant and if he was wrapping himself up often! But he is a healthy lovely boy and all turned out well. 🩵