Large for dates.

[dancerandprancer]

Evening all.
The last few times at midwife, bump has measured large for dates. (outside grey shaded area of chart thingy )Have had tests for diabetes but they seem to be fine. The midwife has said that if bump continues to be large she will get me an appointment with consultant to discuss options.

What I would like to know, is what are the options and what is he likely to say/suggest and how big is a big baby. My midwife not very forthcoming with this info so I thought I would see if any of you had any experience/words of wisdom

My friend was assured she was having an enormous baby with an enormous head at both her scans. In the event, she had a 7lber, water birth, no drugs, only one tiny tear. So do take things with a pinch of salt.

I think a baby is technically a big baby when it weighs 9lbs 9oz or more, but you hear of woman who have babies this size and bigger with no problems.

Fundal height measurements are a guide for MW's on the baby's growth, ie it can indicate steady growth or non growth. It is all a bit of a guesstimate though tbh. For example a MW measured my fh 3 times in the same appointment (and I didn't move a muscle) and got a difference of 4cms between the measurements.

Scan's are sometimes used to estimate the weight, but they can also be up to 20% out.

They may also mention shoulder dystocia, which is when the baby's shoulder gets stuck in the pelvis. However 50% of births this happens in the birthweight of the baby is 'normal'. Also, there are positions that MW's are trained to use to help dislodge the stuck shoulder.

As you can see, all the above are rather hit and miss. I would grill your mw for further information tbh.

Hi, I had to go and see the consultant as scan and fundal measurements showed a "big baby" (over 6lb at 32 wk scan and measuring 4 weeks ahead with the fundal measurement). He examined me and talked about my general health/ size/ partner size/ how the pregancy had gone so far. Also tested for diabetes. He said that he would always prefer to deliver naturally and would only suggest c- section or induction if I was unhealthy/ unwell/ obese/ tiny frame..... I am 5'7" and a size 12 and he was happy for me to go for it. Consultant also said that scan sizes are often incorrect.

DS popped out at a rather svelte 9lb7oz after all that! No problems at all with the birth BTW, needed a ventouse to shift his big head but all in all a positive experience!

I am measuring 5 weeks ahead, but scan showed baby is exactly average size. I think measuringn bump is totally innacurate.

I measured 44 wks when I was 38 wks PG with ds4 so teh MW sent me to teh consulatnt for a scan.

He took one look at me, and had a poke one my bump and sais its either a huge baby or a normal sized one with lots of water. They didn't scan me.

He was 8lb 11oz in teh end so not massive but big enough for me....the consultant was right though there was gallons of water.

The MW said it was liek a firemans hose the way it gushed out of me

My scans all measured bigger that my dates, at my 20 wk scan I had 2 different measurements taken by 2 people on the same day. they just said it depends where they click on the screen to take the measurement so its not accurate!