36wk Scan Measurements

[LynneK]

Hey girls. I've just been for my last growth scan at 36wks (yday) and baby is predicted at 7.9lbs just now. I'm absolutely terrified .
The head measured around 33+4wks but the stomach is measuring 42wks. I'm honestly I'll and so so scared now about the birth weight .
I guess as its my first I just wanted the whole experience to be lovely and because im now anxious about the size it's becoming more of a worry than fun.

On a side note - I've just plotted the mm/weeks on the graph and it's concerning me a little....

HC - 297mm (approx 33+5)
AC - 359mm (approx 41+5)
FL - unknown (but if it's following the same growth it has bn then it's approx 68 - 35wks).

I'm a bit worried as HC plots at the 10th centile and AC plots at the 97th. Why r the measurements so diff and why is no one concerned? X

 

[kitten2014]

Hi LynneK, dont worry we are wondering the same thing but dont forget measurements can throw off the estimated weight by a pound or two either way...here's hoping anyways. Our 34 week scan measurements were as follows:

HC - 322mm (approx 36w2d)
AC - 347mm (approx 38w4d)
FL - 68mm (appox 35w0d)

Her HC and FL are just above 50th percentile and her AC is above 90th with a calculated weight of 6lbs 14oz...bearing in mind two weeks earlier she was estimated at 4lbs 3oz this is a drastic amount of weight gain, I know they say 1lb per week for the final 4wks before term as a growth spurt but think she's playing catch up as had bronchitis two weeks prior to scan and I lost 1lb and she matched her gestation age in weight for once (all the way thru pregnancy has been 1-1.5wks ahead). I did read thast wks 32-34 the HC and AC are 1:1 ratio hence I can tell her body is now playing catch up so thats good. But like you we have a 36wk scan on Thur and dread to think what her predicted weight will be then, it had better be up to a 1lb not 3lbs! I still have 4.5wks to go, 6 wks at the time those measurements were taken so now all my hubby sings is 'biiig baaabyyy' lol. Im sure we're both gonna find the actual birth weight is loads different to predictions, some people have been told one weight and it has been known to be wrong by 2/3 lbs...

Plus I also doubt their weight predictions as I know what my weight gain was for those weeks and its less than 3lbs...

continue to enjoy and dont worry about it, trust that your body will only grow what it can fit (unless you eat completely the wrong things....). Plus what sort of build do you and your OH have? Tall/ big bones? wide hips? It all contributes as we can clearly see my OH's nose on her in scans and both of our long legs....

 

[LynneK]

Thank you so much for ur reply.

Hubby is a worky, rugby player and was a swimmer so he has a strong build. He's about 5'11 and I'm 5'7 and pre pregnancy a size 12-14.

Do u think u could update after ur 36wk scan with the measurements? I don't know why I'm so worried. It was previously because i was scared of birth but now it's because I'm stressed that bub will get stuck and that's petrifying me.

How have u been keeping? I got my extra scans due to having to take aspirin for a blood disorder, I just wish sometimes we had a wee window in there so I could see how he or she is and see what size baby looks haha! Xx

 

[kitten2014]

Hiya no probs will do, we're a little concerned too, have no fear tho baby won't get stuck...not unless you have lots of intervention that prevents you from relaxing and doing what your body is meant to do. Ive been using hypnobirthing cds to help me prepare and it has helped me gain confidence in the fact that my body will only grow what it can birth...

We started having private scans from very early on as we could afford to and well kinda got addicted to them, like you say a window into their world...we keep saying this is the last one but reckon we'll keep going back until full term at least....

 

[kitten2014]

if it helps with the size aspect, I am terrible as visualising with figures so I got the measurements out and some pieces of paper and literally drew the circles and legs and arms etc to help me imagine, it also gives me a good idea as to where she is in my belly...wouldnt show your OH though cos it may freak them out, especially if, like me, you can't draw for toffee...

 

[LynneK]

Hahah that's an interesting idea I might give it a try if I can get some quiet time tomorrow!!

 

[kitten2014]

It's an interesting exercise thats for sure. Just remember there is a measurement for diameter of head front to back (think its called OFD) and then HC is circumference so its like a birds eye view of head...enjoy...let me know how you get on...we have 36wk scan thur coming so will let you know how she's grown

 

[littlemonkey]

Dont worry about the size of your baby. Both you and your husband are relatively tall and it stands to reason you will also have a comparativly tall baby. The measurements and estimates are based on averages and as we all know there is no average sized person with average sized limbs and body parts! So take them with a pinch of salt.

My first baby was nine pounds one oz. I'm a lot shorter than you are an he didn't get stuck. I did end up with a section for reasons totally unrelated to his size. When he came out he was very long and continues to be a tall boy now two years on. This my second baby is also likely to be large although I haven't been given any estimated weight as of yet. Based purely on my last scan I also think he will be tall like his brother and looks like he has long legs already. I'm not going to lie though I'm opting for a repeat section due to my problems last time.

Don't worry about labour, your body is an amazing thing that you really do learn is capable of so much more than you ever imagined. Your body will make a baby it is capable of delivering. Trust it x

 

[MummyMouse]

I was told 7.5 lb at 31 weeks....then 8.5 lb about 3 weeks ago!! I'm having a section so not worried about that part but my babies have always been dinky! That bit worried about lol.
They are just an estimate...I had a growth scan with my first daughter at 38 weeks n told everything was measuring small so I was induced n sectioned early n she was 7.2 x

 

[LynneK]

Thanks girls, I don't know why I'm so nervous but I just can't get over the fear xx

 

[ChrissieCool]

Don't worry I'm only 5ft and my babies range from 8lbs to 9lbs and I had them all naturally, u will be fine hun xx

 

[kitten2014]

Hi Lynne, had my 36wk scan (36+1) and it looks like her est weight two weeks ago was a bit out as her est weight this week is 6lbs 11oz which is far more likely for 36wks. Her measurements are as follows:

HC - 328mm (approx 37+2)
AC - 331mm (approx 37+0)
FL - 72mm (approx 36+6)

How do they compare to yours?

 

[LynneK]

Hey mrs so sorry I meant to check back yday! Below are ours - head measurement is smaller but I've been told not to worry touch about this and the belly is substantially bigger!!

HC - 297mm (approx 33+5)
AC - 359mm (approx 41+5)
FL - unknown (but if it's following the same growth it has bn then it's approx 68 - 35wks).

I just keep wondering if they use the calculator to work out an estimated weight is the AC measurement throwing it off as its so disproportionate? X

 

[kitten2014]

Its possible as our measurements were less for the body this week. Of course you have to factor in empty/full stomach, breathing in/out all at that particular time as well as the accuracy of the sonographer at getting the circle right on the scan...we're not concerned now as clearly she was 6lb or 5lb something at 34wks and now 6lbs 11oz...

 

[kitten2014]

dont forget as well that as the baby starts to prepare to engage the overlapping on the skull may take place which would make the head circumference appear smaller...

 

[Karenm25]

I'm 5.3 and a prepregnancy size 8, husband is 6ft. My first was 9.1lb and all was ok so don't worry! My current bump is measuring ahead too.

 

[buggy1]

I'm about 5.8, OH is 6.2. Our first baby was 10lb 1oz!

Okay, I did struggle to push her out a bit and ended up with an episiotomy and ventouse but I did push her put with that bit of help. I only used gas and air too, which was taken away from me when I was ready to push so I could 'concentrate on pushing'. I personally thought the contractions from 2-6cm (before I got the gas and air) were the worst bit of the whole labour.

If baby was really, really big then they'd probably advise you to have a c-section but larger babies are really common these days. I know lots of people who had 9lb babies in the last couple of years. It's a natural thing and our bodies can cope, it's all about mindset in my opinion, try and think positive x