Fundal height measurement advice

[Pinkcola]

Morning,
I had my first fundal height measurement at 29 weeks 5 days by my midwife. I measured at 34cm. I’m due a growth scan in 2 weeks. My first baby, high bmi, gestational diabetes done 3 weeks ago and negative. How accurate is this as I’m freaking out I’m way ahead?

Don't freak out!! I was in a very similar position with my first and look to be in it again this time with my second.

My first born was big, the fundal height and growth scans were accurate for me. They were convinced it must be GD (it wasn't!), and wanted him out sooner rather than later so I was induced at 39 weeks. In hindsight, I didn't have to agree with this and could have insisted on carrying on until labour started naturally/42 weeks, whichever came first.

But, for a lot of people, fundal height and growth scans aren't accurate and it might just be the way you carry.

Main things to remember here:

1. It might not be accurate
2. As long as you and baby are otherwise healthy, it isn't a big deal

Thank you!! I’ve got crazy anxiety since becoming pregnant & everything is just bothering me when it doesn’t seem to be going smoothly, so this stressed me more! I’m looking forward to this scan wish it was sooner!

Fundal measurements are blunt tools to get a feeling for if growth is somewhat normal or too high, too low, too fast or too slow so they know if there is any benefit in doing a growth scan which also comes with their own errors!

With my daughter my bump was always 10th percentile not quite qualifying for a growth scan. She was born on the 60th percentile for my chart. She's 5 now and is on a higher percentile for weight than she is for height so she was possibly the same in utero. I'm pregnant again and am getting growth scan as my medication puts me at risk of a big baby. I had one fundal measurements before my growth scans started and that was 10th percentile but my growth scan puts him at 40th percentile so I probably in a similar situation to my first

I know people who were told they were having big babies and a few days later had perfectly normal 7lb babies and others who unexpectedly had 9-10lb babies that hadn't been picked up with monitoring. The fundal measurements and growth scans are there to give a rough indication if there's a possibility of a big or small baby but both can be inaccurate

Totally get this! I'm not one of those lucky people who sail through pregnancies and look amazing, and aside from the physical issues I've faced, it's so mentally taxing. Focus on looking forward to your baby and enjoy them moving about and kicking! They're so worth it 😍