fundal height and the size of bubs

ok so i am almost 33wks preg and have gestational diabetes.. it is diet controlled atm and i have been okd to go back to midwife care so all good there...
i was just wondering i have heard alot about fundal height being inaccurate? how likely is it that my fundal height is measuring normal but bubs is in fact big??? it probably sounds really silly but i have a scan not this sat but the next to check on the size and things and it just got me thinking why do i need a scan if my fundal height is normal?? how likely is it that the baby is big despite normal fundal height measurements.. i know bubs was head down the last few times they have taken the measurement does that make a diff???
help lol!!

Good question, you would probably need to ask your ob or whoever your care provider is. Ultrasounds for weight aren't that accurate either though.

I have just had a scan Monday re: Sizing and function etc. Just because my BP seems to rise every now and again (3 overnight stays in the last 2 weeks in hospital) , so they want a guide to bubs size in case they have to induce me earlier. I gather your OB is being very thorough in checking on your bubs and how he/she is going.

Goodluck!

jacqui - did ur fundal height suggest the same sort of size the scan did?

Noni.. im not too sure as why youd need to have a scan. My only thoughts is with the fundal height, amniotic fluid could be a big influence on size also, whether you have a lot or not.. so they may just want to double check whether youre all ok to go for a natural birth.
Jesse fundal height was always 1 week ahead and he was quite big when born 8lb 9oz.. i didnt expect him to be that big.
But just think of it like this, you get to see bubs again!!!

kellx i am excited about the scan deffinately happy to be seeing bubs again was happy when they told me i should have one i am just starting to wonder about things like size etc as the time draws closer lol iykwim

Well, Noni, I'll be following this thread too, since my fundal height is way way ahead and we'll be having an US next week too. I asked the Dr why they were checking and she said something about it being better to know if the baby is large than not knowing but didn't really provide a reason why...esp since i'm having a CS so it's not an issue of how easily it will come out. She didn't seem concerned at all so I'm just going with the flow for now. We will both know more after we have our US and no point worrying about it now!

HI it sounds like it might just be routine, to cover themselves.

But if your bubs has started engaging the fundal height can alter.

I am now 40 weeks + 4 and fundal height has reduced to 36 weeks, because bubs has engaged. 2 weeks ago it was spot on!!

Fundal height is STUPID. I was small, DS was big. Stupid panicking midwives and obs who try to scare you into believing that you can't look after your baby before birth.

It can be WAY out! Fundal height can be influenced by so many factors. I know that when this bub engaged, my fundal height hardly changed in 3 weeks, even though bub was growing fine, just because the change of position made it lower IYKWIM. So don't stress too much!

IF this helps, my fundal height with baby Leo measured 6weeks ahead until 37 weeks. At 37 weeks, I measured 41 weeks, and at 40 weeks, I measured 42 weeks.

Baby Leo was larger than I would have expected (I am only 5ft) and he weight 9lb 1oz and was 57 cm at birth.

They say FH doesn't indicate anything, in my case it did indicate a bigger baby, and I looked very large. But many times it doesn't I think.

Noni, don't worry about it hun OK. You are only small yourself so chances are that little Asha will only be small too - despite the GD. There is no guarantee that even having GD will produce a macrosomic (large baby 4000g+) baby. For all you know she could be a really long 5lb baby. Henci Goer has written a very informative article about the matter too. I will find the link and post it for you.

Noni big hugs :hug:

Fundal height is an estimate. If your fundal height is measuring equal to dates and the same care provider is measuring it each time rest easy. Fundal height is not an accurate science! It's a general way of checking on things. My fundal height right now is 20 weeks and I am only 17 and a bit weeks gestation. Yes, my baby is a bit bigger and I have had numerous pregnancies. But still. Don't get hung up on it...

It's fairly standard to have an u/s later on when your have GDD. This is to check that your baby is not too big. However, this annoys the living dylights out of me as the u/s weight estimates are notoriously innacurate too.

As Sherie so accurately points out having GDD does not necessarily mean a big baby. All my babies have been large except for the baby I birthed with GDD! She was my smallest.
Your baby is growing your diabetes is maintained. Try and deflect all the fear away. You are doing a wonderful job of growing your baby! :hug:

DD fundal height was 31 weeks at 36 weeks and didnt increase because they drop lower into your pelvis after this date. perhaps this is what is happening. Also dd was laying head down but transverse which prevented my belly from sittingout a lot.

Also at 36 weeks they did another scan as i was only measuring 31 weeks and they guessed dd was
5 lb 14oz, when she was born at term she was 5lb 13oz, so obviously scanmeasurements were incorrect as i doubt she did grow in the last 4 weeks!