CRL ~ Is My Baby Just Big?

[MamaK]

Hi all!

I'll try to keep this brief..

I had my NT ultrasound at 13w4d. During the scan, the sonographer said that my baby was "too big" to fit into the screening guidelines, (cut off point is 84mm). My babies CRL was 86mm (8.6cm) and she said this fit with a gestation of 13w5d. I didn't think this was here nor there, 1 day doesn't make a difference right? So, because of this, my babies nuchal measurement was not done. I now have to have 2nd trimester screening, not that that bothers me.

What I am wondering however, is if my baby is going to be big? After doing some extensive 'googling' it seems that 86mm is an average CRL for a 14-15wk baby. I did not have this screening done with DS so I have no idea if this is normal for me!
DS was a nice 3.2kg at birth, but since this is a differenct paternity I know that this baby may be different. I am a little person, and am hoping for another natural childbirth, and I am concerned that maybe this baby is going to be too big for me.

I know it might sound silly and paranoid, but I am guess I am just looking for some reassurance that other women have had a similar CRL for their bubs and everything has turned out just fine.

Thanks for reading my paranoid ramblings!

I hope everyone is enjoying a happy and healthy pregnancy!!!!

[BellyBelly]

I wouldn't worry about it - dates are never spot on and it takes a bigger baby and a smaller baby to make an 'average' baby. Who's average????

You have a normal baby - just not average. I know I would love to be taller, rather than average height!!!! Doesn't mean your baby will have a too big head to fit through

[Alan]

The CRL only measurers the length of your baby not its size. In fact the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine in their policy 'Statement On Normal Ultrasonic Fetal Measurements' state the following "No formula for estimating fetal weight has achieved an accuracy which enables us to recommend its use."
There are a number of posts from women saying how inaccurate the US was when predicting the birth weight of their baby

[*becstar*]

Oooh good point Kelly!

Just had to pop in and say hi Bell

I have the 'under average' sized baby so together we can balance the average. Hopefully your next scan will give you some peace of mind Kell.

xxx

[MamaK]

Thanks Alan & Kelly for that. I figured that was the case, but seeing this is the first time for me for having this early scan, I was just curious. I will see what my 19wk scan says about length.

DS was 52cm at birth, so maybe this baby will just be long and lanky!!!

Love & Hugs

[Tanya]

For your NT scan you have to be in between certain dates (something like 11-13 weeks not exactly sure you'll have to look it up) anything after those days they cannot get an accurate measurement of your baby's nuchal translucency. So one day will make a difference with these measurements.

xx

[MamaK]

Hi Tanya,

Our NT screening here in SA is to be done between 10wks and 13w6d. I had the u/s at 13w4d which is when the Ultrasound Place booked me in for and they knew I would be that far along. The scan suggested 13w5d so I still fit into the category for the screening, but the guidelines for the CRL of the baby omitted us. Ah well, I'm kind of not stressing so much about it now, I was just a little concerned I guess because I know the 2nd trimester screening can not be as accurate as the 1st trimester screening but thats the way the cookie crumbles I guess! I'm just happy that its a nice lil (long) sticky bub!!!!

Thanks for all the info guys.

Love & Hugs