Measuring ahead « Back to Group Discussions

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

I have a condition called "Single Umbilical Artery" or "Two-Vessel Cord," and as a result, I have monthly ultrasounds.  The primary concern is that intra-uterine growth restriction is very common in a SUA, so the perinatologists are keeping a close eye on the baby's growth (its' also linked to all kinds of horrible things, but it looks like we are totally in the clear for that stuff).

Here's the thing - not only is baby not measuring small, baby is supposedly measuring several weeks ahead.  Because I changed my perinatologist care, the last three ultrasounds I had were with three different practices. Each one of them said baby is measuring ahead. When we asked for specifics and percentiles, all three pretty much said the same thing - baby is measuring in 90th percentile. Well, that doesn't seem so weird because my husband, my daughter, and I are all tall and solid people.  No one is ever going to accuse any of us of being "petite."

Fortunately my midwives have shrugged it off, but I am concerned that the perinatologists are going to make a big deal out of it as we get towards the end.  We were told that baby is measuring 6.3 lbs @ 33 weeks.  Which would put us on track to have a 9.8lb baby - that doesn't scare me.  Over 10 and I'm a little scared, but I still wouldn't change anything.  My fundal height was 33 @ 33 weeks so what gives? Oh, and the perinatologist said that at the current weight I am measuring at 36 weeks when I'm really only 33.

I would think that the ultrasounds aren't accurate, but 3 different people/practices have told us the exact same thing.  Why is this even an issue though? My first daughter was 8 lbs and I had NO problem pushing her out.  My only difficulty during her labor was that it was insanely long.  The pushing part was reasonably fast. 

Anyone else?

[LittleBirdy]

I'm sorry this is troubling you.  I can only offer my own experience with SUA: my firstborn had this, and it was discovered at his 19 week u/s.  The MFM doctor recommended a fetal echo and growth scans in the 3rd trimester.  After discussing it with my midwives, we decided to pursue the fetal echo but to take a wait and see approach with the growth scans - if something seemed off, we'd go in for them but if everything appeared to be progressing normally we would not.

We never did have a growth scan and my fundal height measured pretty much spot on my whole pregnancy.  I went 6 days past my due date and gave birth to an 8 lb 2 oz baby.  Who knows what a growth scan might have told me had I had one?  He was very tall, maybe they would have estimated him to be 9+ pounds.  I honestly don't know the specifics behind why u/s measurements can be so off later in pregnancy - maybe it's not that different providers see different things, but that all providers see the same thing and it's just a bad indicator of weight?  That would explain why you had 3 different practices all tell you the same thing - maybe they're all wrong?

[Harmony08]

I have been measuring ahead the whole time.  2 weeks ahead at 20 weeks and then 3 weeks ahead every time since. I have a thyroid issue which is why I get the scans.  Now not only is he measuring ahead (8 lbs at 34 weeks!!!!!!!) but the placenta is showing signs of age so the midwives and I did decide to move the due date up two weeks while we had been holding off for so long.  Basically, I need him to come now.  I know the ultrasound measurements can be wrong but the placenta age thing got me.  It is also hard to write them off when they have so consistently shown him to be above the 95th percentile.  Are your providers talking date change or what are they thinking you need to do?

[ithappened]

My first daughter was 8 lbs and I had NO problem pushing her out.  My only difficulty during her labor was that it was insanely long.  The pushing part was reasonably fast. 

Anyone else?

My DS1 was almost 10 lbs, he was my first, my total labor was like 6-8 hours with him, the pushing went very fast as well, I had no tearing from his birth and he came without drugs/interventions etc. Your body makes babies you can birth, this is just a rule of nature IMO :)

My twins are also both in the 90-100% for weight/head size etc for even a normal baby! Nevermind twins- they have been off the charts for twins since week 18.... the ultrasounds no matter where I had them all said/measured more or less the same. With DS1 they estimated his weight within 100grams at birth so the U/S were very accurate for me and my kids so far.

My OB really pushed to have a c-s with DS1. She was convinced he was 'too big' and 'would get stuck' or something else.. I refused multiple times over and over.. it was really more emotionally draining then anything else.

[iixivboots]

Ithappened and 1sttime, thanks for your experiences. I am not sure what I'm going to hear tomorrow at my appointment given that my little one is now supposedly in the 97th percentile, and at the last u/s he was 66th.

I just really like "your body makes babies you can birth" as a mantra for these next few weeks. :) Although my guy is now 7lbs, tech said he has plenty of room and i can tell you he still acts like he's got room to wiggle. :)

[Ninetales]

I measured 44cm at my 36 week appt.  <shrug>  At this point I've quit caring.  My first measured exactly "right" the whole time until my last appt the day I started labor.  And she was so big it should have been noticeable.  I have chub at the bottom, and my belly goes straight out right under my chest, so it could be just the way I carry.  I also know I'm prone to having lots of fluid.  I'll probably have another supersize baby anyway, and I refuse to schedule a section without any other mitigating factors, which I know is different from your situation, so for me it doesn't really matter how far ahead I'm measuring.  I know when I conceived, so I know my due date is accurate, and baby will come when he wants.  How he comes out might change at any moment, of course.

[pure]

With my second the most I ever measured was 37.5cm at about 40 weeks. He weighed 9-11. This time I am measuring right on 33 weeks by my measuring and 30.5 according to the midwife. I am not expecting to have a baby less than 9-8.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Originally Posted by Harmony08 

I have been measuring ahead the whole time.  2 weeks ahead at 20 weeks and then 3 weeks ahead every time since. I have a thyroid issue which is why I get the scans.  Now not only is he measuring ahead (8 lbs at 34 weeks!!!!!!!) but the placenta is showing signs of age so the midwives and I did decide to move the due date up two weeks while we had been holding off for so long.  Basically, I need him to come now.  I know the ultrasound measurements can be wrong but the placenta age thing got me.  It is also hard to write them off when they have so consistently shown him to be above the 95th percentile.  Are your providers talking date change or what are they thinking you need to do?

Fortunately my midwives haven't pressured me in the slightest. No one has mentioned changing due dates - which I would not agree to because I know the exact date of conception - or a c-section. The whole thing seems dumb, I mean, the way percentile work is that SOMEONE has to be at the top and the bottom. It's a little frustrating that all of the ultrasound people seem so worried because we all know ultrasounds are not 100% accurate, and even if their predictions are correct, we are still talking a 9-10lb baby, which for me won't be a problem. It seems like they take pleasure in trying to freak people out.

Originally Posted by Ninetales 

I measured 44cm at my 36 week appt.    At this point I've quit caring.  My first measured exactly "right" the whole time until my last appt the day I started labor.  And she was so big it should have been noticeable.  I have chub at the bottom, and my belly goes straight out right under my chest, so it could be just the way I carry.  I also know I'm prone to having lots of fluid.  I'll probably have another supersize baby anyway, and I refuse to schedule a section without any other mitigating factors, which I know is different from your situation, so for me it doesn't really matter how far ahead I'm measuring.  I know when I conceived, so I know my due date is accurate, and baby will come when he wants.  How he comes out might change at any moment, of course.

I am so so happy for you that you have let this go. I know you have been very concerned all pregnancy about the possibility that you could make another big baby, and I think your perspective on this is totally healthy. Good luck!

[Ninetales]

It's like I said on Facebook: I'm just the next step in human evolution.  Someday my mighty babies will be called upon to save our society.

At the very least I expect one Olympic weightlifter, or at least a linebacker.

[Tizzy]

You never know when we might need the Viking profession to make a come back

[Honey693]

I measured 3 weeks ahead with my first.  7lbs, 7oz.  I measured a week ahead with my second and she was 8lbs.  I'm not putting any stock into measuring ahead and baby size this time.