Dau. is 27 wks but measures 35!

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Hello--I'm out of my "comfort zone" (since I am an LPN whose experience is with LTC, hemodialysis, and dev. disabled pts.) as it's been many yrs since nsg school and I don't recall much of ob-gyn but I have a concern.

My daughter is pregnant with her third child, was diagnosed with preeclampsia today(she had preeclamopsia with her second child too), is supposedly 27 wks along but measures 35 wks. Her MD feels it's just because the baby is a large baby. Everyone at first suspected twins as my dau. is an identical twin and her husband is a fraternal twin. But alas, at one of her ultrasounds only one heartbeat was heard and only one baby was seen.

How "normal" is it to be only 27 wks but measure 35 wks? Have any of you OB/LD nurses seen many pts like this? I talked with my dau this evening and she doesn't feel she will go until her due date(2/22--our wedding anniversary!), she feels that the baby has "already dropped"(is that possible right now?) some too.

Any input would be appreciated--thanks!:)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

could be large for dates baby or hydramnios (too much amniotic fluid---which can or may not signify other trouble). I would want a Level-2 Ultrasound myself for a closer look-see. I wish her and the new baby well....

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How "normal" is it to be only 27 wks but measure 35 wks? Have any of you OB/LD nurses seen many pts like this? I talked with my dau this evening and she doesn't feel she will go until her due date(2/22--our wedding anniversary!), she feels that the baby has "already dropped"(is that possible right now?) some too.

Any input would be appreciated--thanks!:)

I measured 38 weeks at 32...I ended up getting sent right to U/S...they also thought excess amniotic fluid. Turned out...I just had a big baby. He was 9lb11oz on his due date. I'd think they would U/S to check for excess fluid and baby size.

Not that that answers your question, but I've always measure large for date but never 8weeks large. Is she diabetic?

~T

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Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

Thanks SmilingBluEyes and Skis...for the input!

She's due for another US next week--not sure what "level" her last ones have been(she's had 2 now I think). No, she's not a diabetic--at least as far as we know---but may be a future chance as her dad(my husband) has been an NIDDM for several years now.

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I am with Smiling Blue Eyes here...

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One question I have: is this a sudden jump in fundal height, or has she been measuring large all along. If she has been measuring large all along, that is not as much cause for concern, probably a large baby. If it is a sudden jump, then I would want to know why. Was the EDC given with her very first ultrasound compatible with her menstrual dating? How have amniotic fluid levels been on ultrasound? Have they visualized the baby's stomach (should have amniotic fluid in it to rule out TEF), and viewed the baby's kidneys as well?

Fundal height is one part of an overall assessment, and personally I don't give a lot of importance to it. It can vary with a full bladder and also with the provider's skill. On a personal note, with my first baby, I panicked at 33 weeks when I realized I measured about 26cm. Made my doctor order an immediate level II ultrasound, suspecting IUGR. I am tall (5'10"), thin and was "small" at 33 weeks. Delivered a 7 pound 10 ounce normal baby at 40 weeks.

Let us know what the next ultrasound says!

Marilyn

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Measured 40 weeks at 30. Ultrasound said normal size baby. Delivered according to hospital date two weeks early, but right on time by my counting a 10pound 8oz baby. I tried telling them I knew when I conceived and that large birth weights were common on both sides of my family. Nobody listened.

First thing the doctor said when she saw the baby was "how overdue are you and are you diabetic?"

How are the birth weights in your family??

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