How accurate is the measuring tape?

NewMom7282 · March 2015

My dr measured my belly with the measuring tape and said I am measuring 4 weeks ahead and need an ultrasound to see what is going on. The frustrating part is the ultrasound isn't until April 7. Now I'm worried. How accurate is the measuring tape? Not sure if I should worry or not.

BabyShirah · March 2015

I was measured this am and I'm measuring 32. I'm 31 wks and 2 days. Not sure how accurate, but she said mine is completely normal!

ali0608 · March 2015

My doctor has said I've been measuring big the entire time and the ultrasound said the same thing. However, she also said especially the measuring tape isn't that accurate for me since my baby is not head down. She said that since he's sideways, it's not as accurate as it could be.

I'm not sure why you are worried that your ultrasound is April 7. That's not that far away. When your doctor says they want to see what's going on, it more for delivery. If you are estimated to have a really big baby, it's possible that they automatically schedule you for a C-section. (This is extreme.) They may also be looking to see if the baby is overall big or just the belly, etc. I have GD so they are always concerned with the size of my baby. However, with GD babies, their belly is big. My doctor said all his measurements were big (head, belly, femur, and arms).

Waiting 1.5 weeks for an ultrasound isn't going to change things.

beaseg · March 2015

I was measured at 33 weeks and measured 27 weeks. Was sent for a growth ultrasound 3 days later, since measuring 6 weeks small is concerning! Went in and baby is not small at all, in fact- he's in the 70th percentile. I saw the ob the next day, and she measured me and said I was now measuring at 35 weeks. At that point, it was 4 DAYS later from being measured by her at 27 weeks! So I think she was just off with her first measurement, and I'm not saying she doesn't know what she's doing- it's just that it's really, really unpredictable.

So I wouldn't worry. It sucks your u/s is so far off bc you'll probably be worryign until then! But if you can't get in any sooner, just do your best to know that many of us have had doctors be way off with the measuring tape (fundal height).

NewMom7282 · March 2015

Thanks ladies! I won't put much stock in the measuring tape since it sounds like measuring isn't always accurate.

kaycorey89 · March 2015

I'm 30w4d and when I went for my appt at the first of Feb I was only measuring a cm over from what I should of been. But my family doc said that's not a big deal. Then at the end of Feb I was measuring 3 to 4 weeks over by my ob. So she is sending me for another ultrasound to see how big the baby is and what his position is right now. I go on Tuesday. My boyfriend was a big baby. So we are expecting a big baby as well. I'm excited for the ultrasound, but also a touch nervous! Lol

tdart14 · March 2015

I've been measuring 3-4 weeks behind. It's not accurate in the slightest imo. Also have to have an us because of it, but that's just protocol, doc says he is not concerned.

LadyBlood · March 2015

If the doctor thought it was a serious health concern they would've scheduled you much sooner. They probably aren't worried, just curious why you measured so big. That should be a sign that you don't need to worry.

khaleesi123 · March 2015

Only ever listen to doctor/ midwife

.. Don't even listen to us

babyblue0501 · March 2015

Last appt i measured 3cm ahead, and appt before that another 3cm. I had to ask my OB to clarify what they meant by "we want to check and make sure everything is okay", when they measured me at my last appt. I kind of spaced out when she said that. Naturally I googled when I got home, and had myself in a panic for a week. My u/s is scheduled for April 1st, and couldn't wait until then for clarification. I ended up needing to visit the office yesterday, and asked my doctor while I was there to clarify why they needed another ultrasound. She said it's to measure the baby to make sure

A. How big is he actually measuring
B. Check my fluid
C. Measure my pelvis to make sure he fits
D. Make a birth plan based on A-C.

It's basically all for delivery purposes. I don't have GD, or any other complications. I'm 100% sure he is just a big baby, since hubby and I were both big babies.

Don't panic, April 7th will be here soon, and all your worries will be gone.

bean8213 · March 2015

I just got measured yesterday and was a few behind. The doctor kind if laughed about it and said she wasn't worried, since she could clearly see where baby was positioned and it wasn't in the path of the measuring tape. Baby likes to push to one side to the extreme - to the point where one side of my belly sticks out more than an inch farther than the other side.

There are so many things the can affect the measurements that there's no cause to worry unless the ultrasound shows something wrong. Your doctor is just being thorough, which is great!

Mankster87 · March 2015

I'm going through the same thing, but the opposite. I got measured on Wednesday and I am 32 weeks, but I measured at 28 cm. My doc wants an ultrasound but she said I could wait until my 34 week appt, so I figure it must not be a big deal. I'm still really nervous and made an ultrasound for Monday. In my case she said I could have a less than normal amount of amniotic fluid, a small placenta, or the baby could be small in weight. I would assume your case is the opposite on each issue. My doc said worse case scenario would just be that I have to deliver earlier than expected to get the baby out from whatever stressful situation it is in. Again, I would assume it could be the same case with you. Best of luck waiting for the ultrasound! I know exactly how you feel - I'm trying to stay rational but still waiting anxiously for the ultrasound.

kenziekathleen · March 2015

I was measuring 3 weeks ahead with the tape so my Dr did an ultrasound. Through that ultrasound she discovered that he is frank breeched (head up, butt down, and feet to the side) and my fluid was low so he could not get into the correct position. But I was measuring big because of his position. Good luck!!

Bmore112 · March 2015

I agree with the position theory. I am measuring 26 weeks at 32 weeks. They sent me to get an ultrasound the same day and we discovered she is laying sideways with all of her weight positioned away from my belly. She is measuring 4lbs 2ozs which is a little big for 32 weeks

ryemo · March 2015

Technically it can be off by 2 cm either way until about 36 weeks. At that point, you may measure consistently behind because baby has dropped.

sammistar3 · March 2015

At 26 weeks I was measuring 28 weeks at 28 weeks I was still measuring 28 weeks now at 30 weeks I'm measuring 32 weeks, my doctor said it's not very accurate because the position of the baby changes, and the fluid and pretty much everything changes and grows, so it's not 100% accurate.

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