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12-22-2012 at 7:28 PM
heddy79
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Whats your experience with fundal height?

At my last appointment, the midwife measured my tummy and said my fundal height was showing LO is 2 weeks ahead of where she should be. She mentioned that I'm eating too many carbs and making LO huge.  I was tested for GD at 16 weeks and my numbers were perfect.  I get tested for GD again in 3 weeks. Anyway, has anyone else experienced a larger or smaller fundal height measurement?  Any STM deliver a LO that proved fundal height wrong?  

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12-22-2012 at 7:32 PM
RussianMom...
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I would not put any stock into fundal height. There are many factors involved with this including how your own body is shaped and how the person measures. 

The first time my midwife measured me was at 19 weeks, 5 days - my fundal height was 21 inches. I had just had an u/s 2 days prior and baby was right on target. At 23 weeks, 2 days, I measured 23.5 inches. 

Honestly, the number means nothing to me. My blood work and u/s have all come back normal and healthy. 

 


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12-22-2012 at 7:33 PM
emriley84
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Well, I don't know if you want to hear my story lol. At my last appt, 23 weeks, my fundal height measured 26. On my sono at 20 weeks DS was measuring a week ahead. I got send for my glucose test after my 23week appt, and I have GD. :-(

With DS#1 my fundal height started measuring a little big at 34-35weeks and he was 8#15.5oz, I tested negative for GD with him.


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12-22-2012 at 7:37 PM
heddy79
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emriley84:

Well, I don't know if you want to hear my story lol. At my last appt, 23 weeks, my fundal height measured 26. On my sono at 20 weeks DS was measuring a week ahead. I got send for my glucose test after my 23week appt, and I have GD. :-(

With DS#1 my fundal height started measuring a little big at 34-35weeks and he was 8#15.5oz, I tested negative for GD with him.

Sorry to hear that, but good to know.  Did you have any symptoms of GD or did it catch you by surprise? 


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12-22-2012 at 7:43 PM
piglet6609
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my doctor doesn't even do fundal height. you could be carrying excess fluid, who knows. measuring 2 weeks +/- is also fine. it's not because you eat too many carbs. that kind of makes me side-eye your MW. you could eat completely healthy and have a big baby, you could eat completely crappy and have a small baby..... 

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12-22-2012 at 7:47 PM
sucrets4
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Around 31w with DD1, I was measuring ahead but she was in a funky position.  My dr figured that it was just her position but wanted to be sure, so he ordered an u/s where she was spot on.

I would question a dr that told you you're eating too many carbs and making LO huge.  That seems really unprofessional to say it in that way, unless you're paraphrasing his/her intent. 


BFP(1) DD1 born 4.17.10 @ 33w5d due to pPROM
BFP(4) DD2 born 2.14.13 @ 35w5d due to pPROM


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12-22-2012 at 8:05 PM
emriley84
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I'm sorry-I forgot to quote, whoever asked about symptoms of GD. I didn't have any symptoms other than the baby measuring big. The day I did the 3hr, I felt terrible, and had blurry vision all day. I called my OB and she said it might mean my sugar is high. Sure enough next day they called with the results.


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12-22-2012 at 8:07 PM
heddy79
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sucrets4:

Around 31w with DD1, I was measuring ahead but she was in a funky position.  My dr figured that it was just her position but wanted to be sure, so he ordered an u/s where she was spot on.

I would question a dr that told you you're eating too many carbs and making LO huge.  That seems really unprofessional to say it in that way, unless you're paraphrasing his/her intent. 

She said I'm eating too many carbs and may have said "big" instead of "huge", but no paraphrasing here.  I was about a size 14 when I got KU so I'm wondering if the chub on my belly is effecting my fundal height.  This was my 1st fundal measurement.


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12-22-2012 at 8:19 PM
RussianMom...
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heddy79:
sucrets4:

Around 31w with DD1, I was measuring ahead but she was in a funky position.  My dr figured that it was just her position but wanted to be sure, so he ordered an u/s where she was spot on.

I would question a dr that told you you're eating too many carbs and making LO huge.  That seems really unprofessional to say it in that way, unless you're paraphrasing his/her intent. 

She said I'm eating too many carbs and may have said "big" instead of "huge", but no paraphrasing here.  I was about a size 14 when I got KU so I'm wondering if the chub on my belly is effecting my fundal height.  This was my 1st fundal measurement.

it also depends on how your body is shaped and where your pelvis starts - is it high, low.. this is why having a few inches off is no big deal. 


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12-22-2012 at 8:26 PM
gemini2005
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I measured a week or two ahead during most of my pregnancy and got a few extra ultrasounds out of it.  I think they thought I had an excess amount of fluid but LO was just ahead on growth.  He was a week early and only 8.2 pounds and GD was never a factor.  I was just glad he was on the bigger side instead of too small.  I'm sure everything is fine with your baby girl.  Are you getting another ultrasound to check her size?  
12-22-2012 at 8:36 PM
heddy79
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gemini2005:
I measured a week or two ahead during most of my pregnancy and got a few extra ultrasounds out of it.  I think they thought I had an excess amount of fluid but LO was just ahead on growth.  He was a week early and only 8.2 pounds and GD was never a factor.  I was just glad he was on the bigger side instead of too small.  I'm sure everything is fine with your baby girl.  Are you getting another ultrasound to check her size?  

I don't think I get anymore u/s unless there is a concern.  During my 20 week a/s LO measured 5 days ahead. 


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12-22-2012 at 9:26 PM
sucrets4
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heddy79:
sucrets4:

Around 31w with DD1, I was measuring ahead but she was in a funky position.  My dr figured that it was just her position but wanted to be sure, so he ordered an u/s where she was spot on.

I would question a dr that told you you're eating too many carbs and making LO huge.  That seems really unprofessional to say it in that way, unless you're paraphrasing his/her intent. 

She said I'm eating too many carbs and may have said "big" instead of "huge", but no paraphrasing here.  I was about a size 14 when I got KU so I'm wondering if the chub on my belly is effecting my fundal height.  This was my 1st fundal measurement.

I would *guess* that 1 measurement isn't the be all, end all.  I would see how you progress in the future before you start stressing about it.

And it still seems like a d!ck move by your dr.  That statement wasn't nice nor meant to be helpful.  Some larger people have small babies and vice versa.  

Oh, and even if your insurance says they cover 1 u/s, that doesn't mean they won't cover more if they are medically indicated.  We were under the impression we only got 1 with DD1, but once my dr ordered the one at 31w, it was covered too.   


BFP(1) DD1 born 4.17.10 @ 33w5d due to pPROM
BFP(4) DD2 born 2.14.13 @ 35w5d due to pPROM


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12-22-2012 at 9:42 PM
Kissimi21
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DS measured 4 weeks ahead, came out weighing 8lbs, 13oz.  I did not have GD, just a big boy who owes his size to genetics (DH is 6'5").  There are many factors that can cause you to measure ahead, but I doubt your carb intake is one of them. 


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12-22-2012 at 9:52 PM
brianabrad
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Jumping in from 3rd tri but my doctor didn't even start measuring till 28 weeks. At my 34 week appt I was measuring 30 weeks so he ordered a growth scan which I had the following week. Baby girl measured perfectly at 34/35 weeks. I wouldn't put too much stock into fundal height as everyone truly does carry differently.
12-23-2012 at 8:27 AM
Lil Kate
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I measured ahead evry time they measured me....2-3 weeks.  I even ended up having a c-section (planned) with #1 because they said he would be over 10 lbs.  He was only 8 lbs 3 oz.  They are all estimates.  Don't make yourself crazy...just try your best to eat healthy .

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12-23-2012 at 11:42 AM
Jbosarge85
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I'm always 2 weeks ahead and then the next time I'm right on time, back and forth. My dr has never mentioned anything, about the baby's size or mine. I don't have GD and have only gained 17 pounds. So I wouldn't worry, I'd be a bit upset if my MW said anything about carbs and a big baby

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12-23-2012 at 11:59 AM
homebird
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That's weird. My doctor thought I was measuring small at one of my appointments with DD. He sent me for an ultrasound and baby was measuring right on track.

 


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12-23-2012 at 7:59 PM
Grace0609
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With DS2 I had fundal heights that were all over the place.  I measured on track at the 24 week and 28 week appt, but once I hit the 30ish week mark they went up and down depending on baby's position.  I measured 2 weeks ahead at first, and then at 34ish weeks baby dropped into my pelvis and I measured 27 weeks!  Toward the end I was measuring like 33 weeks.  My OB was never worried. 

Oh, and btw, baby was measuring 2 weeks ahead at my anatomy scan.  He was a very normal 7 lbs 11oz at birth : ).



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12-24-2012 at 8:00 AM
UberBiz
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My OB so far has not even mentioned my fundal height. She did use a measuring tape at my last appointment, but didn't say anything about it. I'm guessing it's no biggie.

 
12-24-2012 at 8:54 AM
KC_13
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I'd seriously question my midwife's knowledge if she thinks fundal height measurements are determined by how many carbs mom is eating. That would be a huge red flag for me.

Fundal height is a notoriously inaccurate way of testing fetal size. Sure, it's a good tool since if you're measuring way ahead/way behind or fundal height doesn't grow in a typical fashion the doctor will know to order an ultrasound to check on baby. Fundal height can be affected by fluid levels and position of the baby as well--it doesn't necessarily mean that baby's size correlates with fundal size. Your weight gain also doesn't necessarily determine how you eat/the size of your LO.

FWIW, I'm a smaller girl and was the same weight during both pregnancies. With my first I mostly measured on time/1-2 weeks behind and he was 10lbs. My second was consistently 2 weeks ahead--even by ultrasound they told me to prepare for another large baby. She was born at 39.5 weeks (same gestational age as my son was) at a little over 7 1/2lbs.


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12-24-2012 at 1:25 PM
GeorgiaGir...
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Last week at my 21 week appt she said I was measuring 23 weeks fundal height and said that it's normal. I have gained more than I'd like at this point (18 lbs), but she didn't mention that having an effect on the fundal height.


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12-26-2012 at 8:51 AM
luvmyducks
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I measured 2-4w ahead with DD according to fundal height.  Until I was about 37w and I all of a sudden measured 3w behind.  They sent me for an u/s just to make sure, but my OB was sure it was bc she dropped into my pelvis.  DD was born weighing 7lbs6oz, so pretty average size.  My OB always said it was fine to measure 2w +/-.
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