Gestational Growth Chart?

[Andi98989]

Does anyone know where I could find a chart of gestational growth? I had a growth ultrasound yesterday and the doctor at that office gave me the percentiles I'm in for weight (60th), length (95th), and head circumference (95th) like my OB asked me to make sure I got, but I totally didn't think to ask why they "translated" to in terms of an actual measurement. I think my head was too busy spinning!

Also, I know I've heard people talk about growth ultrasounds having potential to be inaccurate in terms of weight - does the same apply to the other measurements?

We're going back at 36w for another growth ultrasound to see if he's continued along this same growth rate, or if he slows down and averages out more.

[shawnandangel]

Well I know at 36 weeks they estimated my daughter to weigh 7lbs and guessed she would be an 8lb baby.

She weighed 5lbs 15oz. . . so yeah they can be wrong!

I don't know where to get a growth chart. Maybe try and google it under pictures instead of websites.

[Momof3Labs]

So you want to translate those percentiles into a weight estimate? I'd just call the doc's office that did the ultrasound and ask them what their estimate was - it's probably sitting right there in their computer.

My girls were measuring pretty big all along and estimated at 7.5lbs each 10 days before they were born (which would have put them around 8lbs each at birth). They were 7lbs 3oz and 7lbs even - so the ultrasound was off by a fair amount. They were estimated to be fairly tall, and at 1mo, plot at the 75th percentile for height, so that was pretty consistent.

[ThreeofUs]

AAAaaallllll u/s measurements can be off - significantly. ITA w/ the pp: call the office for measurements.

[Edensmum]

Does anyone know where I could find a chart of gestational growth? I had a growth ultrasound yesterday and the doctor at that office gave me the percentiles I'm in for weight (60th), length (95th), and head circumference (95th) like my OB asked me to make sure I got, but I totally didn't think to ask why they "translated" to in terms of an actual measurement. I think my head was too busy spinning!

Also, I know I've heard people talk about growth ultrasounds having potential to be inaccurate in terms of weight - does the same apply to the other measurements?

We're going back at 36w for another growth ultrasound to see if he's continued along this same growth rate, or if he slows down and averages out more.


It's inaccurate by growth, which they use to guess the weight. earlier in the second trimester it's up to two weeks inaccurate. It gets more so from there. Based on each measurement they get a different idea or how big the baby is, the head circ, the femur length, torso Etc. It's inaccurate because they are looking at a 2D image and extrapolating to 3D size. Overall sizing ultrasounds late in pregnancy are a red flag for me, this means that the dr may consider intervening in a pregnancy based on size, which is not supported by evidence and leads to induction and c-sections that aren't necessarily needed, which increases the risks to mom and baby for all sorts of things including death. So please inform yourself before agreeing to intervene in a pregnancy based on size alone. Keep in mind that towards the end the u/s is give or take up to 3lbs.

[Andi98989]

Thanks for the input!

They did tell me that the weight translates to about 5 lbs which is perfectly fine; the potential concern is his head circumference coming out so big and whether we could end up with a CPD issue because I'm quite petite. I've been measuring 5 weeks ahead since 24 weeks, so honestly it makes sense for him to be that long of a baby with a big head (and my DH is 6'5" with a big head). We haven't even talked about any potential interventions, and I'm well aware of the pros/cons of it.

The specialist office will send a full report over to my OB/GYN which I'm sure will have all the measurements in it. We just had a quick chat after the scan and she gave me the percentiles and we decided to come back for another peek to see what's up in 4 weeks. I'm seeing the OB/GYN tomorrow, so we'll see if the report has made its way over to her yet.

[Edensmum]

Size is much less of an issue than position of baby. There is sometimes that you measure ahead for no reason at all. I did for my third trimester with dd and they kept telling me she would be really big and she was 7lbs. It's a good idea to make sure there isn't a fibroid or too much fluid causing you to measure ahead, but otherwise it should be fine. I'm measuring ahead again, but I have been 6 weeks ahead from the beginning this time, they can find no medical reason for it so that have decide it is my body type and not to worry.
Good luck.