Measuring farther along...

fearlessbirth · 01-06-2006, 02:10 PM

Do any of you have experience (yourselves, friends, clients) with this?

My first client (the one supposedly due 3/10) is 31 wks and until this week has measured perfectly (according to her midwife). At her last visit on Tuesday, she was measuring 34 weeks! The midwife tried to come up with some other explanation but concluded the EDD was off to begin with. Mom and baby seem perfectly healthy thus far.

Is this common? If the measurements now are 'correct' then why were they so low before?

Not to sound selfish, but I am hoping she holds out until my doula training's over! Lol (which is Feb. 3).

Tiffany · 01-09-2006, 10:44 AM

Well, you can measure farther along for many reasons. I personally have only ever measured farther along in the beginning of pregnancy. When I knew I was only around 10 wks, my uterus felt like 16 wks to my midwives. An ultrasound ended up dating me at 12 wks.

If your body produces an excess of fluid, you can measure much larger from that. It can mean there is a problem with the baby sometimes though. Also, I suppose if you have a large enough baby, you can measure larger as well.

I hope she holds out long enough for you!

DL · 01-09-2006, 12:55 PM

Tiffany is correct with what she says in her post.

If she ends up being diagnosed with higher than normal amniotic fluid levels, that's called either polyhydramnios or hydramnios. If you do an Internet search on either of those terms, you'll find a lot of information. I also want to add that just a position change of baby can sometimes cause a change of fundal height (increasing or decreasing the measurements some).

fearlessbirth · 01-09-2006, 01:11 PM

Thanks, gals! I know the midwife said the baby was already head down...not engaged, just upside down! But the mom said she's still flipping around in there! We'll see!

kelley piasecki · 01-09-2006, 03:11 PM

I had severe polyhydramnios with my 3rd pregnancy, and it indicated a problem with the baby. At 32 weeks, I measured full term and was sent for an immediate ultrasound, and at 37 weeks (when I was induced), I measured 54 cm. Yikes!!

I don't want to scare you, but she should keep an eye on it, as I'm sure her doc is. Good luck and please let us know how it goes, ok???

DL · 01-09-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelley piasecki

I had severe polyhydramnios with my 3rd pregnancy, and it indicated a problem with the baby. At 32 weeks, I measured full term and was sent for an immediate ultrasound, and at 37 weeks (when I was induced), I measured 54 cm. Yikes!!

I don't want to scare you, but she should keep an eye on it, as I'm sure her doc is. Good luck and please let us know how it goes, ok???

Wow, Kelley, that is a drastic increase from normal!!!! I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you and your little one.

1stimestar · 01-09-2006, 11:52 PM

It can also mean that baby was just turned "that way" and made mom measure a bit big. One measure really means nothing. They use it to notice a trend. I can't imagine why the midwife would be changing due dates with just one abnormal measurement. Is she planning on being on vacation around the due date?

fearlessbirth · 01-11-2006, 12:37 PM

Actually I was wrong about that...(the changing of the due date). The mom and dad were talking and talking like the baby would come earlier and I finally said 'did Kerri actually CHANGE your EDD or was she just mentioning the difference to you'. She said 'oh, no...as far as the records go, it's still March 10, we'll just see next time what's up'.

Sorry about that. My silly friend made it (in conversation) seem as though it was actually moved up by her midwife. That's why I was so confused and concerned. This also was the only and first time I wasn't able to go to the midwife with her. Lol