Refusing fundal height measurements

[nickle730]

Faithful Mumma, that is one beautiful big bubba!

My first was 5lb 10oz, my second 7lb 14oz... my 'big' boy was SOOO much easier to deliver than my 'little' girl.

[OceanPrincess]

I'm another that found the bigger one easier... My first was 8lb 3oz and had a long hard labour with an episiotomy and ventouse, with gas... My second (2wks old) was 10lb 11oz, two slight tears, no pain relief, short and sweet labour

No one predicted my boy would be that big... And my FH measurements were always spot on or a bit under.

Good luck...

[studentmum]

You are talking about GD. Polyhydramnios doesn't always have these symptoms and and can indicate problems with the baby, or indicate other risks such as early labour.

Polyhydramnios, does present differently to GD (although I was not suggesting that excess fluid is a result of GD either) However the OP is 22wks along - nearly all cases of Phd start after the 30wk mark. Most wm with Phd notice a sudden increase in the size of their 'bump' as the increase in fluid is marked, often trebled. If mum reports less sensation of feeling bub or the Dr finds it difficult these can be indicators of too much fluid. Also due to the sudden distention, sudden severe heartburn or abdo pain is common.

Wm with diabetes are more susceptible and those who have had positive tests for trisomy 21 and other conditions which effect the babies GI tract.

Mild Phd is unlikely to have any effect on the outcome of a healthy baby and above all servere Phd which will exhibit the above sideeffects occurs in approximately 1-2% of pregnant women.

So before we start scaring all 'big' measuring wm into thinking they have something terribly wrong, lets just put it into perspective a bit, Phd can and more often than not is diagnosed in many different ways other than fundal height measurements.

If the measurements effect you on a negative way there is no harm in not having them, if you have any concern about Phd you can ask for a fluid measurement u/s, this would need to be done after 30wks and would confirm if you have excess fluid.

Sarah

[krysalyss]

So before we start scaring all 'big' measuring wm into thinking they have something terribly wrong, lets just put it into perspective a bit, Phd can and more often than not is diagnosed in many different ways other than fundal height measurements.

Sorry who is 'scaring' the mother? I can't see from the posts that anyone is doing that. I am not going to get into an argument with you.

Star - I think everyone has given you some good advice Good luck - I hope you can find a midwife you are more comfortable with.

[*Beema*]

Polyhydramnios, does present differently to GD (although I was not suggesting that excess fluid is a result of GD either) However the OP is 22wks along - nearly all cases of Phd start after the 30wk mark. Most wm with Phd notice a sudden increase in the size of their 'bump' as the increase in fluid is marked, often trebled.

Polyhyrdamnios started for me at 24 weeks and same with a SIL of a fellow BB'er (she may have been even earlier), my bump grew bigger but it didn't look that big TBH, and it was the fundal height that suddenly showed me a lot bigger, and in this pregnancy I have compared my photos and at 24 I looked a lot bigger in the bump then I was at the same time as I was with DD yet no Polyhrdramnios....

The scan does not need to be done after 30 weeks either... it really needs to be checked earlier and further testing to ensure that it isn't the result of an infection or GD. I came back clear on both accounts with DD, so we never found the cause.

And I can say there were a lot of waters when they broke at 33 weeks

[*star*]

Thanks guys, for the concern and information.

I’m still not sure where I stand on this. But just knowing in my mind that I can choose to refuse them if it comes down to it, is getting me along for the moment. I haven’t decided to change midwives yet – and haven’t discussed with my doula. But I am coming to terms better with the measurement. My course of action at the moment is:

1) I am eating healthier and somewhat reducing quantities of what I eat (not to a huge extent, but not having a free-for-all like I was prior to this wake up call)
2) Discuss with doula whether to refuse the measurement and whether to change midwives, or whether I am basing this on a once-off meeting
3) Possibly get DH to do a rough measurement for me and if I’m still measuring over the scale for the next appointment, I will refuse to get it done (unless I have any of the other symptoms to be concerned about for excess fluid / GD)
4) Meet with midwife again at the next appointment so I can decide (along with doula’s advice) whether to continue care with her

I really don’t think changing midwives is going to change the course of action if I am measuring over 3 times in a row – it is just hospital policy and my previous midwife who I was happy with would have done the same thing (although perhaps was a little more flexible?). It may change some of my other perceptions about her attitude to birth, though, so I will keep an open mind about whether or not to ask to change.

The problem is, now that it has been implanted in my head that we’re already big, the damage is kind of done. So it would be really nice to be able to have a “normal” measurement and be reassured that everything is on track. But I can’t guarantee that this is going to happen, so I know I really need to understand that I can birth the baby that I am creating (refusing to use the words “big baby”) and make sure that those around me agree that I can do it too.

If excess fluid is diagnosed, what are the steps following this – does it change anything?

If the high measurements continue and I have a late ultrasound and the baby is big, I can see the doubt creeping into everyone’s mind that I can birth him / her – but what else is having that ultrasound going to tell me?

What is also confusing me is that exactly 2 weeks prior I had my 20 week ultrasound and all baby’s sizing was within normal limits. I can’t imagine how things changed that quickly. Either that or they are more generous with the baby’s sizing than the fundal height charts?

[Traveller]

If there is extra fluid, depending on the amount, it could result in premature labour or issues during labour. If you don't want to be pressurised over the "big baby" problem then you are of course free to refuse consent to measurements, but remember you can also accept the measurements, and depending on what they say use the information to your benefit to make sure that there is no issue with your fluid levels.

[*Beema*]

Firstly a big for you hun.

I think you have put together a really good plan on how you want to deal with this and I think it is really well thought out and a measured approach

If the excess fluid is confirmed with a scan - where they measure the amount of fluid surrounding bubs, this is the course of action that my OB took when I was diagnosed with it with DD they will send you in for the GD test early, and you would do the long test rather than just the short test, because if it is GD they will want to get on top of it sooner rather than later. They would also run blood tests, I can give you the exact one's if you like as I still have my records from DD. This is to ensure that there isn't an infection which is causing the excess fluid.

What it does do is increases your risk for Pre Term delivery, now I don't think i was actually classed as high risk during my last pregnancy, my OB had said that I wouldn't go past I think 37/38 weeks, but I don't recall the use of High Risk coming into it.

The fundal measurement can change as well, so just because you have a high measurement now, doesn't mean that the next one will be, I was high at 24 and 28 weeks, 30 weeks my measurement was exactly back to 30 weeks, but 32 weeks I have "blown up" again and delivered at 33 weeks.

I guess things can change quickly but it is dependant on the cause, they may find out that there was no obvious cause, like they did with me, so after that my OB said we would just go with the flow.

I have the confidence that you will be able to deliver this baby no matter what size, there is a great thread with an awesome link about smaller women birthing larger babies and I will try to find it an post the link and hopefully it will help instill in your mind that you have the ability to birth this baby
Take care hun xxoo

[*star*]

Just wanted to update on how I went with the midwife on Monday...

Had myself all geared up that if she didn’t give the right answers I would seriously consider whether I could swap midwives or change plans altogether. Turns out I needn’t have worried!!! She came in and pretty much apologised for all the rules she gave me last time – said that was general hospital policy and we don’t have to be as strict!! Holy cow, don’t know what got into her!!! She said she was comfortable not doing the fundal height measurements and could see that I was growing (how could you not!!!), so we’re not going to bother! YAY! Hopefully this removes the fear from both of our heads regarding the large baby! I was so happy after the appointment and just felt great! I can’t really understand why the complete backflip (if I was guessing, perhaps my doula ran into her and mentioned she was going to be looking after me?!!). I am feeling so much more positive about my VBAC now! Even had a good dream about labour last night, LOL!

[*Beema*]

Wonderful news *star* I am so so happy for you VBAC all the way hun xxoo

[meow]

I am feeling so much more positive about my VBAC now! Even had a good dream about labour last night, LOL!

It's going to be fantastic! Maybe this whole experience was a blessing as it brought potential issues right to the fore-front and now you and this midwife have been really thorough about making sure your notes contain all this info and you know you're on the same page. I'm so glad you had a good appointment