Belly measuring larger...

HaleyMonstah · December 2014

I've been in the stage of my 3rd trimester where I'm visiting the doctor every 2 weeks or so. Up until my last visit, when she measures my belly with the tape, she's always said I've measured perfectly average. My last appointment on Friday, she said, he's measuring large at 8 or 9. In panic, I didn't even know or think to ask what 8 or 9 meant (inches or pounds). I've never heard any other words throughout my pregnancy besides "healthy" or "average". Before I could even speak she asked when my last ultrasound was. I've only had 2 throughout my whole pregnancy, the last one being my gender and measure one at 20 weeks. I was told in the appointment following that ultrasound I wouldn't have another one unless there was concern (I guess ultrasounds aren't medically necessary so they are only performed if needed). She then told me she was going to schedule an ultrasound for my next visit to check on what he's like in there. Now I'm all freaked out. I have 7 weeks until I'm due and I'm already measuring large (and I don't even know what kind of large!!). Any one else have any knowledge about this issue or are going through the same thing?

I just want to put my mind at ease.

Thanks

PeaceofKia · December 2014

Did you ask her what that meant? Because I have no clue. And just because you're measuring large isn't a cause for concern until she says it is. Calm down, growth spurts happen in the 3rd try. And yes, I have had this issue... DD was born at 38+5 but I measured 43 weeks... She was for her age but healthy. And now if course with my twins, I'm measuring 10 weeks ahead... Larger than a full term singleton and I'm only 31+5.

Alygohome · December 2014

I went from measuring 5 weeks behind to one week behind in like..2 weeks. That's a huge growth spurt. And now I am right on track or even measuring maybe a little ahead. You may have had a big growth spurt like I did and then slow down for a few weeks. Fundal measurement is not an exact science and if your doctor is worried they will send you for a growth scan.

michelle142 · December 2014

What is she measuring?

Normally they only regular measurement taken is fundal height, which is in cm. Generally 30 weeks = 30cm.

As @Alygohome said, it's not exact. Fundal height can vary depending on baby's position as well.

chickyclg · December 2014

Probably fundal hieght, because you measured larger than expected they probably want you to have a growth scan.

JessicaH1020 · December 2014

I've been having this "issue" too. The past two times I've measured 2 weeks ahead (even though I haven't gained much weight) and I'm interested to see if I'm still following that pattern at my appointment tomorrow. I don't know if it's because Little Man is sitting weird or if I'm just going to have ginormous Godzilla baby. I guess I'll just have to ask tomorrow (:

But I know these measurements can be totally off. A family friend had her baby recently and due to the fact she was measuring big, the doctors expected her to have a 10 pounder. Her baby wound up being 8 pounds, 13 ounces. So I guess the moral of the story is don't worry too much about it?

foxslaw · December 2014

I'm so happy to hear that @Alygohome‌

Nvywife · December 2014

With my first the doctor was predicting a 9 or 10 pound baby. He was a whopping 7lbs. He's still the biggest baby born to my side of the family. But he is no where near the 9 or 10 lbs the doctor predicted. N however does have some really long legs. Anyway my point is the measurements are just a prediction and not a definite. #2 is measuring a week ahead and has been for the last few visits. This being my second I'm not freaked out by it at all. Don't worry until the doctor tells you to worry. Take a deep breath life is good

poopylove · December 2014

I came into this thread because at my last ultrasound I was told that the baby's belly was measuring large, but I see now that's not what you meant!
What exactly is your doctor measuring?! Cos my belly still changes radically depending on the time of day, baby's position etc so that doesn't seem like a very scientific exam. The only abdomen measurement my ob has taken is fundal height, as mentioned by pp...
I think if you have unanswered questions and are worried to call your doctor! Good luck!

momofcpah · December 2014

This just happened to me! I was measuring 3 weeks ahead so I had an ultrasound on Monday to just measure my fluid levels and to see how big baby was. No big deal. I'm 30 weeks and baby is weighing in at 4lbs so looks like I'm just carrying a big baby! I wouldn't worry at all.

digwriter · December 2014

My fundal height is measuring three weeks ahead and so is baby (via ultrasound). My OB isn't super concerned but we are going for another US as the due date approaches. I should also add the the US tech has always had me due a week earlier than my OB.

daisydotsgirl1 · December 2014

I have been getting an ultrasound at least once a week for the past month because I am high risk... According to our ultrasound baby is "weighing in" at a hearty 5 lbs!!! I'm 32 and a half weeks.

chicagojackie · December 2014

It could be the baby, the fluid, the position of the baby, the measuring tape, the observer, the time of day....

You need to get clarification from your doctor OP. We can't interpret something they have said that you didn't understand and then are trying to relay to us. Are you going for an ultrasound or what?

kefttsc · December 2014

Some of us measure small and worry. Some of us measure large and worry. We all worry no matter what the circumstance.

I have two babies and I'm a week ahead of @PeaceofKia who also has twins, but I only measure 6 weeks ahead to her 10.

We are all going to worry. If they are getting you checked out, no need for concern at this point until you know something concrete.

usmcwife89 · December 2014

One week you can measure ahead, and the next behind 2. It flucuates and that's normal. If your doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be either. There's still plenty of time left for things to even out.

Also all I have left to say is: Next time interrupt the doctor to ask what she meant by "8 or 9". Because it can't be inches. I'm 32 weeks and baby is somewhere between 15.2-16.7 inches. And if she meant pounds.. I suspect you're having a small toddler.

You can always call the office and ask a nurse to clarify what was meant, or just wait until your next visit. Don't worry yourself now.

maltwin1 · December 2014

I measured ahead most of my 3rd tri with DS. I also had an additional ultrasound to check on him and he was perfect...just long. The ultrasound was to make sure that no part of him was measuring ahead of other parts. Normally measuring large is nothing to worry about and just means that you could be having a large, or in my case long, baby.

Enjoy getting another peek at ypur LO!

Zsmommmy · December 2014

poopylove said:
I came into this thread because at my last ultrasound I was told that the baby's belly was measuring large, but I see now that's not what you meant!
What exactly is your doctor measuring?! Cos my belly still changes radically depending on the time of day, baby's position etc so that doesn't seem like a very scientific exam. The only abdomen measurement my ob has taken is fundal height, as mentioned by pp...
I think if you have unanswered questions and are worried to call your doctor! Good luck!

Same here baby belly is big the dr will now do a ultrasound every 4 weeks just to monitor growth but he did not have any concerns with the baby so you should be fine mAybe baby is just laying butt up but head down

MammaWolf7 · December 2014

With my last pregnancy I was measuring ahead the whole time. My problem was I had a lot of amniotic fluid which made me look bigger. Baby came out healthy at 8 lbs. It's nothing to worry about. I was measuring ahead 3 weeks ahead with this one and when I went to the doctors last week, I was measuring right on track.

mommie2bof6 · December 2014

I'm measuring two weeks ahead. Few weeks ago I was 5 weeks ahead. Ultrasound tech said at 20 week scan she's measuring one to two wks ahead. I passed my glucose test so its another big baby for me. With my boys almost being 9lbs each. She said if I continue to measure big in next few weeks They will do another scan. My boys being big never measured ahead nor did I. So we will see guess I won't be having a baby girl that takes after me and is petite. I don't relay too much on ultrasounds for weight estimates. My first son was 5lbs 13oz and was early. Ultrasound hrs before birth said he'd be 7.5lbs. My last two boys born right before due date and one over due. Both I was told 7lbs. Hahaha 8lbs 13oz and 8lbs 6oz.
I wouldn't worry too much all babies are different. Unless your scan shows something. T&Ps

MrsScally13 · December 2014

Some others have said this but as I am a worrier I think it bares repeating. I'd call the doctor and get clarification on what exactly is measuring big. If your fundal (which I would suspect) measurements are large they usually do a u/s to check fluid measurements. This happened to me with my first, I was measuring on target then around 30 weeks I was measuring ahead, then 32 weeks I was measuring 2 weeks ahead. We want for a u/a and the u/s showed we were fine. When I brought this up to the midwives looking for clarification on why I was measuring bigger all of a sudden they said some people just measure larger no need for concern.

Again call your doctor for clarification but try not to worry. Even if your baby is larger or you have excess fluid neither of these things should cause too much concern and you should both be happy and healthy.

poopylove · December 2014

Zsmommmy said:

poopylove said:
I came into this thread because at my last ultrasound I was told that the baby's belly was measuring large, but I see now that's not what you meant!
What exactly is your doctor measuring?! Cos my belly still changes radically depending on the time of day, baby's position etc so that doesn't seem like a very scientific exam. The only abdomen measurement my ob has taken is fundal height, as mentioned by pp...
I think if you have unanswered questions and are worried to call your doctor! Good luck!
Same here baby belly is big the dr will now do a ultrasound every 4 weeks just to monitor growth but he did not have any concerns with the baby so you should be fine mAybe baby is just laying butt up but head down

Thanks @Zsmommmy‌ yeah everything else looked normal and doc didn't seem overly concerned, just said that he was a good sized baby so i'm good, no need to panic! I'm hoping it's a sign that baby is thriving in there. In any case measurements can be off and there's still time for my little potbelly to even out!

camilu87 · December 2014

So many have stated already but no need to worry! I have measured ahead since day one of fundal height measurements. They did an ultrasound to check baby's weight and baby is only slightly larger than average...54th percentile. No need to to panic.

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