Bump measurements

[Elleyoung777]

Hello ladies,

I'm feeling very deflated and quite upset after my midwife appointment today.

I was meant to be on iron tablet for the last 3 weeks and she and the gp obviously have not communicated and no one let me know! That's very disappointing. No wonder I've been so tired!!

She measured my bump, there has been a big jump from my last appointment. I am 31+4 today and measuring 33. At my last appointment I was bang on the chart. She has requested an emergency scan for me.

Any ideas why this could be?

She also told me off again for choosing not to have my flu jab!

 

[Browneyed Girl]

My measurements changed so much - sometimes I was behind, sometimes measuring bang on and sometimes ahead and not in that order! My midwife wasn't concerned unless it was more than 3 weeks out either way so I'm not sure why yours is so concerned? Hope all is ok at your scan xx

 

[Elleyoung777]

Thank you.

I don't really know why she is so concerned and she didn't really explained. Just said that she couldn't not book me in for a scan as it's a sudden growth jump, 1wk4days difference. However I have been thinking a lot about it tonight... I'm sure baby in transverse, midwife wasn't sure how she was lying today, last time she was head down. So if she has turned surly this would present a change?

I have struggled with my midwife tbh and don't have much confidence in her. Xx

 

[Browneyed Girl]

Yes if baby has changed position this could affect the measurement. From my experience the fundal measurements and even growth scans aren't particularly accurate (when predicting baby's weight) so I wouldn't be overly concerned. Maybe your midwife is overly cautious but it'll be nice to see bubs again and be reassured all is fine x

 

[heatheror12]

My 1st son always measured on date for bump size and was almost 10lb. So I was monitored 2nd time round as they predicted another big baby. I went to see the consultant because they didn't want me to go over my due date to much. And I was measured 2 week smaller than I was. Rushed for a emergency scan the next day. Where my son was mesuring big. Tho my bump stayed behind all the way till 39 weeks wheb he was born. He was 8lb 1oz. For me the fundal measuring isn't accurate. They just keep a eye on growth in the later stages. Try not to worry and enjoy seeing your ltitle one again xxxx

 

[Baby2sky]

Tbh I think your mw being way over the top considering you are only measuring 1cm bigger than gestational age! In both my (high risk) pregnancies my measurements have always jumped around by up to 3 weeks and there has never been any concerns. How is your chart looking? Is it static? Or a nice curve? The perinatal guidelines say
"Normal variability in measurement means that the slope will alter from one measurement to another. The line may cross centiles, but the overall slope of the curve should not be static (no growth over 2-3 weeks) and becomes abnormal if the slope falls away in subsequent measurements. In the case of normal fundal height growth, the measurements should reflect the curve on the customised charts."

 

[Elleyoung777]

My chart is defo a curve but obviously quite a jump up from the last input. She has always measured on the bigger side but it's always been a gradual increase.

I am feeling that perhaps she is being over cautious. I just wish she would've at least explained a bit more, it was like she was in such a rush and while I was asking her questions she was on the phone trying to book my your round the birthing ward!

Thank you for all your advice xx

 

[Pumpkin9]

Is it a chart custom to you on just the generic one? I wouldn't worry that much - with my first I measured spot on at every appointment and then he came out 'small' so I now have a custom chart which they are measuring me against and I'm already measuring slightly below the average line.

 

[Elleyoung777]

It is the generic one in the mat notes x

 

[Pumpkin9]

Don't worry about it so much then - if I was measuring against the generic one I'd be well off no doubt- I've got this custom one now cause Thomas was only 6lb and they keep harping on about how be a use in tall they wouldn't expect me to have a small baby. No one has ever asked me about my oh or me in terms of our birth weight - hubby was 6lb 12 os I swear it's to do with this genetics. We both were very skinny children too.

My sister in law had a sudden growth spurt with her little girl and she went in for a scan and they were pretty much "why are you here".

So I'd just go to the appointments but I wouldn't worry yourself about things until they say something that is a problem

 

[Elleyoung777]

The more I've been thinking about the more I am really annoyed with my midwife for causing such a fuss. I have a feeling they will be like that Pumkin. It's only 1cm over the 'normal!'