Is there any truth to measuring big or small? My fundal height today (32 weeks) was apparently 35. My OB thinks I'm on par to a big baby based on that and weight gain.
-
I think it can go either way, but I measured ahead for my 2nd and he was 9 lb 13 oz on his due date! And still tall and looks a year older than he is. My 3rd they had stopped measuring so they must not think it’s super informative.
-
I measured behind for both my pregnancies, but agree it is an inaccurate tool at best. So much can influence it - baby's position (lower in the pelvis = smaller belly), mom's build (I am very tall and long-torso'ed, so of course I will be smaller than someone who's very short), etc. I think baby's size CAN be a factor, which is why they do it.
At my OB's office, they just monitored it. If there's any concern (at our office, it was more than 2 weeks/2cm difference), they would send you for a growth ultrasound just to make sure there was nothing weird going on. I had several at the end because I measured small and they all showed baby was fine. Kids were 7 lb 9 oz and 7 lb 6 oz. I wouldn't worry too much. I would ask for a growth u/s if you're concerned.
-
In my anecdotal experience, it means very little. I was measuring "big" with both of my kids. So much so that both my midwife (first preg) and OB (second preg) were worried about the size of the babies. First baby was 6 lbs, 4 oz. Second was 7 lbs, 2 oz. Not big!!
-
@MrsADS: I know I'll have a final u/s around 36 weeks to confirm position. I guess we'll see when I go back in 2 weeks as to whether measurements evened out or not.
-
I am 6'0" tall, gained a ton of weight(70+lbs), had extra fluid, measured 5 weeks ahead, and had a 9 lb 8 oz 22" baby at 39 weeks. So I think it is really just case by case.
ETA: At my last BPP, he was measured at 8lbs 5 oz, and I had my c-section 3 days later.
-
I always measured a week ahead. And my baby was 5lbs 13oz and 17.5inches. Full term and TINY. So I don't think it means much. I think they do it more for growth (like baby percentile charts) to make sure you're not drastically slowing down or speeding up.
-
I measured ahead last pregnancy and DD was a very average 7lb 8 oz baby. This time (currently 35 weeks) I measured almost a month
ahead around 25 weeks so was scheduled for a US. The baby was a little more than average in size and I had a little more than average fluid but nothing to indicate anything abnormal. My fundal height measurements have been on tract since then - or the doctor hasn't said anything if they have been off! I think the baby (or me) had a growth spurt the week it was so off!
-
I measured small and had to have several ultrasounds. I think it was because 1) baby was very low and 2) I'm tall. The baby was maybe a bit on the smaller side - 7 lbs at 41+ weeks - but nothing drastic at all.
-
@LindsayInNY: it also depends how you carry but my last pregnancy I measured borderline small and had to have extra ultrasounds and lo really was smaller than my first two and has remained that way almost ten months after birth.
-
DS1 I measured about 2 weeks ahead consistently. I had him 13 days early and he was 9lbs 5oz.
DS2 I started out measuring ahead and then from about 22 weeks on I measured on track. He was 22 days early and 8lbs 3oz.
-
For me it was more or less accurate.
My first measured exactly the same as his geststational age and he was born a day before 39 weeks. He was 8 lbs 2 oz.
I measured a few weeks ahead with #2 basically the entire second half of the pregnancy. He was born at 38 w 4 days and he was 9lbs 11oz. This kid is still a large kid. He’s always been in the 99% for height and weight.
-
I don’t think so. M measured big at 8lbs and was 5lbs 14oz
-
For me it wasn’t accurate. I always measured small and my son was 9lbs 9oz.
-
My fundal height was always right on target and I didn’t show during my entire last pregnancy. My baby was 3lbs.
ahead around 25 weeks so was scheduled for a US. The baby was a little more than average in size and I had a little more than average fluid but nothing to indicate anything abnormal. My fundal height measurements have been on tract since then - or the doctor hasn't said anything if they have been off! I think the baby (or me) had a growth spurt the week it was so off!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments