Measuring ahead in pregnancy

What does it mean if your baby is measuring big for your dates? A baby measuring big means that he or she looks to be a bit bigger than what's considered average for the week you're at in your pregnancy. However, this news shouldn't cause you to worry. It doesn't necessarily mean that you'll give birth to a really big baby, or that there's anything wrong with their measuring ahead in pregnancy.

A fundal height measurement helps estimate the size of a fetus during pregnancy. In general, the measurement is defined as the distance in centimeters from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. After week 24 of pregnancy, the fundal height generally is expected to match the number of weeks of pregnancy — plus or minus 3 centimeters. For example, if you're 27 weeks pregnant, your healthcare professional would expect your fundal height to be about 27 centimeters. Some factors can make a fundal height measurement less accurate. They include obesity and a history of common growths in the uterus called fibroids. Also, fundal height measurements tend to be less accurate after 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Measuring ahead in pregnancy

We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. November 16, Latest update: See more UnSplash Here's what to know if your practitioner tells you that you're "measuring big. I'm afraid my baby will be too big to deliver vaginally. But guessing how big they are is just that — a big guess. In early pregnancy, you might be showing earlier for a few possible reasons, such as: Muscle tone. A pregnant woman with looser abdominal muscles is more likely to produce a pronounced tummy than a mom-to-be with a very toned torso. That's also why expectant mothers who have previously given birth and whose abdominal muscles have already been stretched and loosened will tend to show earlier. Your body type might also be at play; some women carry their babies lower, which makes them appear to stick out more. Miscalculated due date. Another common explanation for a seemingly supersized stomach is a miscalculation of the conception date. A or week tummy will certainly be larger than a week one, so double-check your due date.

Fundal height is only a tool to estimate a fetus's growth in the womb. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. One is that you have an abnormally large amount of amniotic fluid — more than normal — surrounding your baby, measuring ahead in pregnancy.

There is a lot of diagnostic testing that is completed while you're pregnant. Likely, you're already an expert on everything from nuchal screening to the four chamber heart exam. However, there are some tests that are a little more ambiguous, and may lend themselves to various answers running around your brain. A good example for these is the fundal height and ultrasound size testing. You may measure perfectly for your due date, or larger or smaller, depending. But, what does it mean if your baby is measuring ahead? Is it simply a case of a bigger baby, or should you be concerned?

A fundal height measurement helps estimate the size of a fetus during pregnancy. In general, the measurement is defined as the distance in centimeters from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. After week 24 of pregnancy, the fundal height generally is expected to match the number of weeks of pregnancy — plus or minus 3 centimeters. For example, if you're 27 weeks pregnant, your healthcare professional would expect your fundal height to be about 27 centimeters. Some factors can make a fundal height measurement less accurate. They include obesity and a history of common growths in the uterus called fibroids. Also, fundal height measurements tend to be less accurate after 36 weeks of pregnancy. A fundal height that is smaller or larger than expected — or that changes faster or slower than expected — may signal:.

Measuring ahead in pregnancy

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However, any tests are just a precaution. If they think you're measuring large for your dates, you'll likely be asked to go for what's known as a wellbeing or growth scan - or they may suggest some tests. About an hour after delivery, your uterus will go down to where it was at 20 weeks around your belly button. A pregnant woman with looser abdominal muscles is more likely to produce a pronounced tummy than a mom-to-be with a very toned torso. A good example for these is the fundal height and ultrasound size testing. Was this article helpful? March Mayo Clinic. All it means is that doctors may want to monitor you and your baby more closely, and see if you need any tests. Maybe your due date is off by a few days or a week it's pretty common for doctors to change due dates. If that's the case, your practitioner will have already put you on a special pregnancy diet. Taking a fundal height measurement is an easy, inexpensive method of checking to see that your baby is growing well. Executive Health Program.

If your baby is measuring big, will it come early?

International Patients. Healthy Lifestyle Pregnancy week by week. If your fundal height is different than expected, your healthcare professional might suggest an ultrasound imaging test. Of course, when that study is done - we'll update you here. Updated: Feb. Financial Assistance Documents — Florida. Share on facebook. Where to go next. Your provider will have you lie flat on your back. Another reason is that your due date was calculated incorrectly, which, while rare, does occur. Beginning around week 24, fundal height measurements are routinely taken at each prenatal visit for women who are having a low-risk pregnancy. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. All it means is that doctors may want to monitor you and your baby more closely, and see if you need any tests. Medical Professionals.