Measuring big at 9 weeks-paranoid momma?

[Mom of 6 to Be]

I know that early measuring isn't as accurate but my OB did a thorough pelvic exam and told me I was measuring as if I were about 16 weeks. That's measuring 7 weeks difference!  I had been thinking I was feeling much bigger than I ever have-- this is pregnancy 7 (at age 39)  for me.  I was positive on dates and we did a quick ultrasound to confirm that it was only one baby, but it's been haunting me.. the dates by the way were exact too -- when confirmed on ultrasound .. to the day.  No extra fluid was found.  My last pregnancy I measured right on almost all the way through --toward the end I had more fluid and my midwife sent me in for an ultrasound, but this was at the tail end of the pregnancy.   It just seems like a big difference to me.  Not to mention I feel huge.  I know every pregnant person feels huge but at 12 weeks I shouldn't be feeling this big.  I have thought since the beginning that this baby is twins.  I have no idea if I'm being paranoid or not-- but help me out here-- is 7 weeks difference a big difference.  Of course I know there is a margin of error, and everyone is different, and I would imagine that having 6 previous babies would make a person tend to be bigger.. but 7 weeks bigger?  How likely is it that the ultrasound missed a hiding baby?  I have heard of people having a twin that hides -- does that really happen?  Ugh -- and then if it is twins do I really want to know right now...lol What else could explain this? 

[Jaimee]

Yes, there are cases of hidden twins.  There is a woman in my DDC that actually found out at her second u/s (at 11ish weeks) that she was having identical twins! 

But that is quite rare and it is much more likely that you're not measuring big at all.  Measuring fundal height is highly inaccurate before about the 20 week mark and does a lot to freak women out.  I don't know why care providers even bother to measure much less say anything to the mothers.  We all grow at different rates and especially with this being your SEVENTH  pregnancy... come on!  I would absolutely expect you to show sooner.  I've also heard that the uterus tends to float around a bit more with subsequent pregnancies and can feel as though it's higher up. 

This is my third pregnancy and I was bloated for a while, but definitely showing by 12 weeks whereas with my first no one could tell until I was almost 6 months.   You might have some bloating going on, too, along with a floating uterus and weaker ab muscles.  I know my abs are nothing like they used to be and they aren't doing a particularly good job of holding my organs in place!     I'll also say that now that I'm 20 weeks, I feel like I'm more on target with how I look based on my second pregnancy.   So I say try not to worry about it at all and just see how things progress over the next 6-8 weeks.   It's good that you know your dates are right on.  Do you plan on getting the 20 week scan?  

[dollyanna]

I thought they didn't start measuring until 20 weeks +?

[APToddlerMama]

I'm 21 weeks and haven't been measured yet.  I don't think I was last time either. If they did measure me...I'd probably seem like I was way farther ahead than I am because my abs are shot from last time.  When comparing pregnancy photos, I look at 21 weeks like I looked around 30 last time.  The baby is the exact same size per my 20 wk anatomy scan.  I'm just carrying different.  I wouldn't be concerned at all.  I think it is kind of odd that they are "measuring" already.  I haven't heard of it this early.  As I've watched friends on their third and more...it seems everyone "pops" a thousand times earlier with each subsequent pregnancy.  Good luck

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

A very good friend of mine was measuring about that far ahead during early pregnancy. It slowed down about 20 weeks, and at her 20 week u/s they confirmed that she was only carrying one.

[cameragirl]

Have you had another exam or an ultrasound for more details? Fundal height is pretty unreliable that early, especially if you've had a child before.