Abdominal circumference too big?

[ceejie]

I had a growth scan last week as they were worried baby might not be growing well. It turned out everything was good, measuring between 30-32 weeks (I was 31 weeks at the time) but the abdominal circumference was measuring OVER 36 weeks. The actual measurement was over 4cm larger than the head circumference.

The ultrasound tech told me that it is most likely an indicator of gestational diabetes, and the baby is getting too much sugar. So I had a 1 hour glucose test on the weekend, which I failed marginally, and a two hour one today, which I passed.

Now my concern is if it is not due to gestational diabetes, then what else could cause the AC to be so large? Has anyone else experienced this? I see my OB tomorrow, but I can't stop googling and worrying.

 

[Loulabear22]

I had a scan at 35 weeks and baby's tummy was measuring the size of a 41 week gestation baby! They said she was fine just a heffer! Lol! Xxxx

 

[icegurl470]

My babies AC is also measuring big, 85th percentile I think. The only problem is the head is supposed to be the largest part of the baby so that when you give birth to the head the rest comes out easy. If the head isn't the largest, baby could get stuck half way out which isn't good, but there's still time for baby to even out.

 

[Loulabear22]

The only thing ill say is although pp is correct on head being the largest part allowing the rest to just come away easy, its very rare that a tummy will get stuck as its squishable, whilst the head altho it does do some fantastic bone over lapping to allow for delivery it is essentially hard unlike the tummy! I unfortunately couldn't get measurements of babies head as its to far down in the pelvis xxx

 

[minties]

I would say it just means you have a chubby baby. Sophie was very similar and she was quite short (47cm) but just a hair under 8lbs.

 

[cherrished]

I'm same boat hun 31 weeks his head was measuring 35 weeks and his tummy was measuring 37 weeks but I'm diet controlled GD and on metformin but diet doesn't seem to be making much difference now so my dose has increased and now ive got the option to be induced or have a planned c section around 37 weeks due to his size, but my DS1 was 8lb11oz and two weeks early and I didn't have GD with him, so I think it's a case of I have big babies, I have growth scans every two weeks now x

 

[Tia Maria]

Im in the same boat. I had a growth scan when I was 35W3D and the consultant said that whereas in general he is measuring bang on....his tummy is measuring 39W. so of course i've been panicking. I have another growth scan on Friday (when i'll be 37W3D and see here we go from there.
I also found out I have late onset GD which they think might be causing his large tummy.
GD suck, im starving. I'd do anything for some chips and cheese and a coke lol

I kind of just have it in my head that my baby will be born looking like he swallowed a melon lol

 

[Pink1981]

GD suck, im starving. I'd do anything for some chips and cheese and a coke lol

I kind of just have it in my head that my baby will be born looking like he swallowed a melon lol

I feel you on the GD sucking... I've been on insulin since 11 weeks my baby's head is measuring ok but ac is 2 weeks ahead

 

[Tia Maria]

Oh don't worry, my little pot belly's is measuring 4 weeks ahead. the consultant said his liver, kidneys, bladder etc all look fine though. so as long as he is healthy that's the main thing.
Has your midwife/consultant said anything about his tummy? do they think its ahead because of the GD or something else?

 

[ceejie]

Oh don't worry, my little pot belly's is measuring 4 weeks ahead. the consultant said his liver, kidneys, bladder etc all look fine though. so as long as he is healthy that's the main thing.
Has your midwife/consultant said anything about his tummy? do they think its ahead because of the GD or something else?

They initially thought it was due to GD, but after 2 lovely glucose tolerance tests they have determined that I do not have GD.

My OB is currently away but I saw another doctor in her practise who was not very reassuring. He said to wait and see and we will rescan in a couple weeks. He did comment that it seemed really odd since my daughter was only 6 lbs at birth. He just kind of ignored my questions and just kept telling me to "wait and see"