Large for Dates

[faithfulmama]

I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. I have been measuring consistantly large for my dates. At 13 weeks I measured 15 cm, at 17 - 22 cm, and at 21 - 29 cm. Yesterday at my appointment, I think my midwife was pretty convinced it was twins. She said it felt like a lot of baby, and even caught two different heart rates. Although she said that since the baby was moving around a whole lot she could have gotten it at two different spots and it may have changed from the movement.

So we scheduled an ultrasound for this morning to check things out, expecting to find something out of the ordinary. But there seemed to be only one baby, measuring right on target for the dates I was positive of. Nothing else out of the ordinary at all. No fibroids, normal amount of fluid, normal placenta.

I am curious if anyone has experienced that kind of growth with no apparent cause, or has any thoughts. I am not worried as everything with the baby looked totally normal. It seems like it would be impossible to miss another baby at this point in pregnancy. I just wonder what's up. Also, this is my second pregnancy.

[faithfulmama]

anyone?

[bryonyvaughn]

Generally "normal placenta" means not near the cervix. Do you know if yours in at the fundus? I've heard that can add extra fundal height.

After my first pregnancy I always measured my own fundal height. I've found different HCPs stop measuring at the fundus *but* many start measuring at different spots around the pubic bone.

Is this your first baby? If not are you measuring similar to previous pregnancies? Some women have fundal heights that vary from the average but are consistent for them. I measured 2 to 3 cm small with my 9-10 pounders. I know other women who measure large despite average size babies. By definition very few women are average.

Take gentle care,
BV

[eco_mama]

This was my experience with my 2nd pg as well. I measuring 2 weeks ahead every time and my midwife was convinced I was having twins. She thought she felt 2 heads, the whole nine. I had the ultrasound and showed only one babe. Everything normal. He was 9lbs at birth.

[Reha]

I consider the fundal measurement to be 'normal for dates' within 3 cm +/- the number of weeks you are.

So, if you are 30 weeks, and measuring 33cm, to me, that is totally normal; not indicative of incorrect dates, big baby, or twins.

[faithfulmama]

I am actually only 21 weeks, measuring 29 cm, and I measured 5 cm ahead at 17 weeks.

[MamaRabbit]

That's more ahead than I measured with twins. Interesting. Is this bigger than what is normal for you?

[klg47]

My measurements were:
28 wks - 32 cm
30.5 wks - 30 cm
32.5 wks - 32 cm
33.5 wks - 37 cm
36.5 wks - 41 cm
37.5 wks - 40 cm
39.5 wks - 42 cm

My baby was perfectly normal, and weighed 9 pounds 13 ounces.

[Reha]

Originally Posted by faithfulmama

I am actually only 21 weeks, measuring 29 cm, and I measured 5 cm ahead at 17 weeks.

So, I wouldn't even be measuring with a tape measure yet, but more just going by the level of your fundus. Around 20-21 weeks, the fundus is usually around the umbilicus (or a few finger-breadths above it).

I have seen fundal measurements with a difference of 8 -10 cm from weeks even out around 38-42 weeks.

[CortLong]

I always measure 'large-for-dates'. Normally around where you are measuring. My babies have ranged from 9lbs to 9lbs6oz.

[faithfulmama]

Is the position of the fundus compared to the umbilicus accurate with shorter women though? I am only 5'1", and my fundus was at my belly button at 15 weeks. Now it is well above, like right below my ribs. Anyway, I am sure that there is nothing really going on, and we'll just see how my growth is the next few months. I was just curious because my midwife seemed really at a loss. She said she's never seen a discrepancy that great without some obvious cause. So I've just been curious.

[Reha]

Originally Posted by faithfulmama

Is the position of the fundus compared to the umbilicus accurate with shorter women though? I am only 5'1", and my fundus was at my belly button at 15 weeks. Now it is well above, like right below my ribs. Anyway, I am sure that there is nothing really going on, and we'll just see how my growth is the next few months. I was just curious because my midwife seemed really at a loss. She said she's never seen a discrepancy that great without some obvious cause. So I've just been curious.

I could see how that is possible. In the short women who I have worked with, that has never happened, but everyone's body is unique! I wouldn't worry about it, though (not that you were ).

ETA: personally, the only value I can see in fundal measurements is that it lets you see that there is continued growth. I really don't think it is good much at all for determining dates (or confirming dates).

[mama_daba]

i'm 4'10 and have measured 2 weeks smaller for my whole pregnancy.i have a sort torso. i figure it as more to do with body shape and with
babies position than anything else.

[HeatherB]

My measurements haven't been quite so far "off," but I've also (for the first time) measured ahead my entire pregnancy. Now 38.5wks and last check was 43cm, though baby had been engaged and measuring MUCH smaller the week before. Like you, a mid-pregnancy u/s revealed a "perfectly sized" baby for my dates, with no additional indication of anything abnormal. My MW has consistently not been worried about it, though she initially did suggest fibroids, etc. I expect if the u/s is clear that it's nothing to worry about!

[Maggi315]

Lots of people measure large for dates, doesn't always mean anything. I measured very big with 2nd baby, doc predicted an 11lb! She was 7lb 1oz! And with my last two, i was constantly being asked if I was having twins.

i recently delivered someone who measured 51cm at birth! Baby was almost 10 lbs, but that was the largest measurement I have ever personally seen that was not twins.

I don't worry too much about the exact measurements, I like to see growth, but then again, if the baby drops, changes position, fluid changes, etc. that can all affect the measurements. Maybe we shouldn't even be doing them?

[Reha]

Originally Posted by Maggi315

Maybe we shouldn't even be doing them?

I have been thinking this a lot lately, actually!.