Measuring Big During Pregnancy?

It's really a little early for your doctor to be measuring your belly anyway. I think it's at around 28 weeks that it starts to be close to accurate. There's always room for variation too.

Keep in mind that ultrasound can be 25% off in weight estimates. I would worry a little but about using ultrasound results to predict baby's size. I have known some people who's doctors pressured them into induction based on ultrasound results then they had small babies.

The concern with measuring big is really polyhydramnios (too much fluid). They can estimate the amount of fluid you have using ultrasound to see if that's an issue. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.

Hi S.! Are you a short person? I am and I always was bigger because the belly had no where else to go then out. And also, with my 2nd and 3rd child, I was bigger then my first because my uterus was already stretched out. So, that may just be what this is.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

You may have a uterine fibroid that you don't know about. I do and I always measured big. They are benign tumors and most women have them.

S.,

I know I'm measuring "big" with our son due in 6 weeks. On one of my recent appointments, the doctor looked at me and just said, "Yea. There's a big baby in there." I was like, "Huh?" and he goes, "I'm sorry, but this isn't going to be a little baby." I'm 100% fine with that, but at the NEXT appointment I asked him exactly what he meant by that. He told me that he thought my 1st son (8 lbs 10 oz) was a big baby and that this one will be at least that. I've had another appointment since then and nothing was mentioned. Just that my "growth was good". Apparently, 2nd babies are usually larger than 1st born and boys are larger than girls.

Our family has a history of large babies...my maternal grandmother never delivered a baby under 9 pounds and most were closer to 10. My Mom had 4 kids and I was the smallest at 8 lbs 6 oz. My brother was the biggest at 11 lbs 10 oz (delivered vaginally) and my youngest sister was taken 2 weeks early (due to the size of my brother)- she was 9 lbs 3 oz.

In my opinion and in my case, I have a lot of confidence in my doctors and figure whatever is meant to be will be. I teased my mom that I wanted to beat her record of 11-10 and my husband said I'm nuts, lol.

As long as the doctors aren't freaking out (an ultrasound isn't a bad idea) and your glucose/diabetes is fine. Don't worry about it. I think there are other factors that can come into play with regard to "measurements".

Good luck and congrats on the new little one to come.

T.

I measured big with both of my kids (well, a couple of inches anyway, not real big) and it just meant that I had larger babies (both were 8lbs. 11 oz. at 1 week and 2 weeks early). I don't think it's anything to be concerned about. I think that your doctor is just being conservative in checking the ultrasound. Not to say it isn't anything at all, but chances are you are fine. Enjoy your pregnancy!

I measured quite large throughout my pregnancy, they did 3 ultrasounds to check. The doc thought the baby was going to be well over 8 lbs. My little guy weighed in at 7 lbs. 4 ounces only. However, I did have a lot, and I mean a lot of amniotic fluid which I think is what made me so big.

Hi there,
I posted a similar question a while back and the feedback I got was that it was probably nothing. It could be a larger baby, or, as your Dr. said, you may just have stretched more the second time. My Dr. told me that they don't really start tracking it until about 28 weeks or so, and then they look at consistency- have you always measured big, or was there a sudden jump. Many moms also told me not to worry about the size of the baby, because it is virtually impossible to accurately guess at that, even with an ultrasound. My 1st was "supposed to be 7 1/2 lbs or so and was 5lb 13oz! I wouldn't worry about it. If something was wrong, I am sure your doc would let you know. Relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!
E.

I measured big with my son and it was nothing. My Dr. said he was going to be a big baby, and boy he was! He was long.... 21 inches and 8 lbs. 6 oz. So you probobly have nothing to worry about! He induced me about a week and a half early cause I'm small and he didn't want the baby getting to big! So glad he did! I don't think I could of handled a bigger little boy!

I measured big during most of my first pregnancy. My doctor told me that it wasn't a big deal. At one point I measured 4 weeks ahead, but my diabetes test was fine. I delivered 2 days before my due date. Everything evened out a few weeks before I delivered. If I'd still measured ahead at around 35 weeks I would have had a third ultrasound to make sure that the baby wasn't getting too big. But I evened out, and never had the extra ultrasound.