37.5 wks fundal height measuring 42

Just had an appt with my hospital, the doctor measured my fundal height twice and it is coming back at 42 cms, yet I am only at 37.5 weeks. They are sending me for an ultrasound to see how big this baby is, seeing as my first baby was also a decent size. So I called to make the ultrasound booking, thinking they would want it done within the next few days, and nope they booked me in for two weeks time??! So I called the Dr back to see if I need to do it sooner than this, couldnt get her on the phone and the midwife I spoke to said two weeks time is fine. Umm baby may be well and truly bashing her way out by then lol. Has anyone had this happen? I am worried about how big this baby will be and I am worried that maybe I should be having this ultrasound sooner? And also is there a risk that baby can get 'too big', basically are there any risks?

I am a little surprised that they are delaying this ultrasound. However it is important to remember that very late ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate for predicting final birth weight. I would be more thinking about checking fluid levels, as if you go into labour before you have the scan and you have a lot of fluid then that is the sort of thing the midwives will want to know and keep an eye on.

How big was your first baby, and did you have any difficulties having a vaginal birth? Have you any specific concerns about having a big baby? It could be that you just cook them large, and most often this is not going to cause a problem at birth as many tiny women manage to birth very large babies without complication.

I was surprised too, it actually seems pointless to do it in two weeks time, she could even be here by then. They are also checking fluid levels.

My first was 3.7 kgs and I have a feeling I do just make big babies. I am not a big person myself, I am just worried that she will grow too big and I could be at a risk of having a c section. Especially seeing as my first was a posterior baby and I came so very close to a c section. This baby has gone from posterior to anterior and is currently back in posterior. I just do not want a c section.....

If you are keen to avoid a c-section, then it may be a blessing that the ultrasound is being delayed. You are likely to be told at the scan that you are having a big baby, because this is what late scans often say, and may be pressured into a CS for that reason. My advice would be to try and encourage your baby into an anterior position by spending as much time as possible on your hands and knees. I used to watch TV whilst leaning forward on a footstool to try and encourage my babies not to flip back to back.

If you do go into labour with a posterior bub on board then try to avoid an epidural, to allow your ability to move naturally is how your baby will get into an anterior position. Water injections are supposedly excellent at relieving the back pain so often associated with a posterior labour whilst still allowing you to move and dance the way your body will tell you to.

Your body is very unlikely to make a baby that is too big for you to birth, so please don't worry about that. You got one good sized baby out, you can do it again :)

Thanks Traveller I didnt think of it like that. Bit scared of trying to avoid the epidural with a posterior baby, but I am armed with a tens machine this time and I am counting on it! Thanks for your advice

Hun, really, try not to worry about it. I tend to make big bubs too. I had almost the exact same situation when pg with DS. They told me he would be 5+kg, he wasn't anywhere near that at 4.2kg. They also predicted DD would be about 4kg. She was pretty average at only 3.7kg. Size prediction scans can be really out of whack, as can fundal height measurements. I always measure big with fundal height. At my last measurement (34+2 wks) I measured 37cm. I just don't worry about it. I have enough to worry about thatn to think about baby being too big....my body knows what it's doing and I will do what needs to be done when it comes to the time. I won't have a c-sec or induction because the doctors decide my body isn't able to birth my baby. I know what I can do and I will do it. If needs be, I will have intervention at the time of birth.

ETA, I birthed DS drug free, intervention free in a matter of a few hours. It can be done. Have faith in yourself hun.

hi mate
remember that my ds1 was 5kgs so i had a scan at about 37 weeks with ds2. they confirmed that he was also a big baby so i ended up getting induced at 40 weeks rather than letting him go over. he came out as only 3.7kgs (which isn't exactly small, but is a lot smaller than ds1!) so it was all ok in the end anyway. i had them both vaginally. i really wouldn't worry too much hun.

Thanks Lilias, I agree with all that you said.

Ginger - Thanks for your reassuring words. Ummmm 5 kgs WOW!! Go you!

Fundal height measurements are so inaccurate it is ridiculous.

An example is that I am measuring 48cms at 33 weeks and the growth scan I had done last week shows an average sized baby. My sister never really measured over on her fundal height measurements and she just birthed a 5kg, 57cm baby.