fundal measurement...should i be worried?

[Trillian]

Many women carry extra fluid during pg - this is often quite normal and I am dissapointed in your Ob for suggesting to induce you if bubs proves to be large at your ultrasound - just look at the concern it is causing you already. There have been numerous studies to prove that there is absolutely no benefit to induction for a suspected large baby and induction in itself brings about its own set of risks - including c/s. Ultrasound is also NOT the best indicator of babys size, they are notorious for getting it wrong and it does nothing but worry the mother.

Other factors may still be playing a part in why you are measuring ahead - the length of the baby (you could have a really long, but average weight baby), the position (even though bubs is head down they can still be high) or there could be no reason at all - some women do just get 'big' during pg and go on to have average or small babies. You may even find that once baby engages that the fundal height will either drop or stay the same.

Either way, what does it matter if the baby is large - you are designed to have a baby that is the right size for you to birth vaginally and that includes the large babies. Women need to let go of the fear of birthing large babies - it can be done.

[Ashlee]

I had 3-4L of fluid, considered alot, don't quote me but I think the averag is 1-2L. If it's COPIOUS amounts it is dangerous, but just a bigger measuring bub shouldn't be cause for concern as far as induction or C-sections are concerned.

[bettyboop]

at 40 weeks i measured 47 weeks , baby was 10lb and i am only 5foot. i would not worry.

[kungfubecca]

Don't worry about it, the ultrasound would just be to check if your dates were actually right, and maybe double check for twins tee hee.

I measure perfect the whole time until bubs started dropping, then I was under measuring.

But it can be difficult to read the OB's and the Midwives, they say things and don't realise they stress you out no end.

[Harri]

Thanks ladies!! i'm not worried anymore... whatever happens happens! as long as bubs is healthy, i don't care! at least i get to see bubs again!

[Harri]

OK i just wanted to thank all the ladies for their reassuring words!!

I had the ultrasound today! All is well! Bubs is just a healthy 2.5kg, or 5.5 lb!

Everything was good.. fluid amount, placenta, cord! so all is well, we just have a chubby bubby!
ohhhhh and we have hair! 9mm long!!!

We'll see what the OB has to say on Thursday at my appointment!

xxx

[~Belinda~]

man your Ob must be great! He doesn't give me any information on that stuff! He always says she is going along perfectly but will give me an estimate of her weight at 36 weeks, bugger, not long to wait I guess!

[Snacks]

Excellent that your mind is more at ease, haroula. (And cool that you got to see your bubs again! Re the hair - do you get heartburn? )
I was going to add, about the fundal height, that if they take the measurement from a slightly different place they'll obviously skew the figures! Everyone takes the measurement slightly differently... That's what I found with my midwife team. If another OB or midwife took your fundal measurement you might find you measure closer to dates.
And grrrrrr to your ob for threatening you with induction and/or c/s at this stage!!! Unbelievable!

[Sammiejane]

Hi Haroula - i wish i had read this last week.
I had an OB appoint last week (24weeks) and fundal height was 28. Had to go off for U/S was told that could be due to large bub, extra fluid and also were going to check me early for GD... went straight to work and checked my BSL which was fine so i decided that it wasnt GD which made me worry even more.
By the time the U/S came around (only 2 day wait) i was really nervous but excited that i got to see bubs again.

All of my results were fine too - baby is lying in a funny position which is making my funtal height heigher, baby is on the larger size (long) but DH was too. They also brought my EDD forward by a week
Am seeing my OB next week for results but am feeling better - even more so after reading your thread. Thanks

[Harri]

Bindy - it was actually the ultrasound dr that gave me the weight etc... not OB..we'll see her on Thursday!

Snacks - OB was pretty spot on with her measurement of my fundal height though....according to the ultrasound! As for the induction.. i'd much rather she induce me early, then wait too long and then i need to have a c-section!...

Sammiejane - glad your bubs is well also! It's pretty scary isn't it..!?! i wasn't afraid as such with having a big bubs... i was more worried that there was something else wrong!! 28 weeks was a little early for them to send you to check size though..poor thing you must have been terrified!

[Trillian]

Hi Haroula. Im glad that the scan showed a healthly little baby in there. I think from memory that her *estimated* size is about spot on for average at that gestation. Remember too that sizing scans can be up to + or - 15% on the estimate they give you, so she could be smaller or bigger. I would be careful about getting too keen on having bubs early - if they put your dates forward by one week, then that means that you could possibly be having a pre-term baby if they decide to induce you early kwim? If baby is big, that doesn't mean that dates should be changed as the internal organs will still be at the same stage of development no matter what the estimated size is. Not being critical, but it is something to think about.

[Harri]

ohhhh Snacks... i forgot to add, i've only had heartburn about 3-4 times.. but i used to get it before i was PG sometimes too! But i am aware of the old wives tale!

Sherie - the Dr who was doing the ultrasound did tell me that the scan has an error of +- 15% and that's why she likes to take a few measurements... she took heaps! And bubs was measuring about 9 days more than now... At the first ever scan i had, she was getting the same reading, that bubs was measuring 9 days more than EDD..but then another measurement gave within 2 days of EDD.. so i dunno... could they have mucked up the dates at the beginning..?!.. As for he induction.. i do see your point.. and i'm aware of that.. i would prefer to go on in my own time.. but if it is a choice between induction and c-section... i'll definitely go the induction..!! if you know what i mean...?!

[Harri]

OK had OB appointment yesterday and she said that all is well, and for the moment she'll just keep an eye on it and if she feels that bubs is getting too big,.. then we may look at inducing.... but bubs is real low in the right position still so she's happy to let it go for now!!