Large Baby at 33 Weeks: Understanding Fetal Growth & Potential Concerns
QuestionI am 25 I have two sons 2&3 and my last menstral was October 25 2003. My doctor did a ultrasound at 33 weeks gestation the ultrasound tech asked if I have gestational diabeties and I answered no since I was tested negitive for gestational diabetes, she said the baby was measuring large and his femur was measuring small for gestational age. His weight at that point was measuring in at 5lbs 5oz at that point it put him in the 75th percentile now today at 36 weeks gestation my doctor measured my stomach and asked what size my other two children where I told him 6lbs and 7lbs he said this is going to be a big baby and he wants me to do another ultrasound next week at 37 weeks. What happens if the baby continues to measure big should I be consirned about the babies health or mine? and What would cause the Femur bone to measure small should I be consirned my doctor never said anything about the femur it was the Sono tech whom made an issue of it.
Thank you
AnswerWhen determining fetal age on sonography, the technician uses biparietal diameter, circumferance, and femur length to calculate gestational age. Sometimes, the baby appears large-for-gestational age. This can be due to gestational diabetes. At 28 weeks, you should have had a glucose test to see if you had gestational diabetes. If the result was less than 140, you do not have diabetes. When you get another sonogram at 37 weeks, ask for an estimated fetal weight (EFW). If it is over 9.5lb, it is recommended by the American Collete of OBGYN to opt for an elective cesarean section to avoid the risk of shoulder dystocia and the concurrent risk of Erb's Palsy (difficulty of moving tf the arm of the baby.) If it is less than 9.5lbs you can opt to be induced early or wait for labor to ensue. The length of the femur is not important at this time. Once the baby is born, have the pediatrician check out the legs of the baby. I would think that the small femur is just an error in the sonogram.
