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Small for dates - any experience?

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By Sat 04-Jul-09 21:59:04 Add message | Report | Contact poster

I'm 36.5 weeks pregnant and small for dates. Fundal height was 31cm at 34+3 weeks so I was sent for growth scan which confirmed the baby appears to be small, though placenta and fluid levels good. Had a further scan a week later (3 days ago) which confirmed placenta and fluid still good, but didn't measure growth again as they only measure it every 2 weeks.

I had a midwife appt yesterday and my fundal height measurement was 31.5cm at 36+3 weeks so no real change in 2 weeks... My next growth scan is on Thursday but that seems so far off - does anyone have any idea what will happen if the baby (a) hasn't grown at all in the last 2 weeks or (b) has grown but not as much as expected? They mentioned the possibility of delivering early but I'm unsure what the criteria would be for doing that.

I'm not tooooo worried about it, but I'm someone who likes to know exactly what's happening and understand all the options and possibilities, both positive and negative, so would appreciate any experience or advice from anyone. (Sorry - I'm not sure all the figures above are easy to follow!)

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Mon 06-Jul-09 08:42:27

Thanks for the reassurance everyone.

Crumpette - how many weeks were you when you were induced? It sounds like your induction went very well - I wondered if as it would be 37 weeks for me, the gel etc might not work as well as if I was overdue, so I might be more likely to end up with a drip. Maybe that's not the case though...

Anyway, I'll try not to worry until Thursday when I have the scan. The baby's definitely been more active than usual in the last couple of weeks, which has got to be a good sign it's doing OK. I've now got 3 days to myself while DD goes to nursery so will try to make the most of them grin

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 20:54:30

sorry about typos, have been out in the sun too long!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 20:52:50

Guessing the size of a baby is not an accurate science. Fundal height measurements can vary if you are measured by different midwives using different tape measures or using the two finger width measurement each time. Also, the centimetre per week thing is not 100% accurate becaue it dosent take into consideration your height, build, muscle tone of your stomach or the postion of the baby, which can move and your measurement can get smaller too!
My fundal height was small for dates throughout my prgnancy and my DD was 7lb11oz, which I think is average.
The scan itself isn't always that accurate either, as its difficult to measure baby from head to foot when they are curled up!
Bottom line, try not not to worry

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 20:36:41

I had the scan on a Thursday, and went in on the Monday. We were home Thursday, 3 days later. Moved house the next day - but that's another story entirely!!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 20:28:34

Hello,

I measured small for dates on my first pregnancy. That was nearly 2 years ago and everything was absolutely fine.

My fundus height stopped growing from about 34 weeks. I am (well, was wink

), a petite size 8 and average height and my dh is 6foot. The midwife said she was positive that it was nature making sure the baby didn't get overly large for my body to birth it, but she did book me in for a another scan just to check, dd decided to make her appearance on the day of the scan so we just measured her for real!

Anyway, dd was born just under 7lbs, exactly the same birthweight as her daddy in fact. HOWEVER, she breastfed like a demon since then and climbed waaaay up the charts and was strong as an ox from birth too (apgars 9 and 9).

I am now pg with dc2 and from the size of my bump this time round, I'm not sure I can expect the same luxury of a 7lb baby!

A scan should reassure you, especially if baby seems healthy.

Best of luck!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 19:35:19

re the polyhydramnios, people do usually measure large for dates which is what threw me- just remember that no abnormalities have been detected in your scans etc, and in the one you had just 3 days ago baby was well- if there was a serious problem it would have been detected by now.

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 19:24:55

Stinkyfeet: That's a really positive outcome - I'd settle for that! So how soon after the last scan did you have your c-section? I have no concept whether it would be same day, next day, a few days' time.... And did your DS have to stay in hospital for a while due to being small, or was he allowed home as you were 38+5?

Crumpette: I've looked up polyhydramnios online but it says: When your midwife or doctor carries out an examination, you will appear to be "large for dates". So I guess although my fluid levels are high they're presumably not into that territory, as I'm 5cm small for dates... However it does mention causes including infection or chromosomal abnormalities, which are also possible causes of restricted growth.... hmmm will try not to think about that toooo much at this stage...

I feel like there's such a huge range of possibilities, ranging from serious to mild to just plain wrong measurements, that it's impossible to know what to think. Roll on Thursday!!

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 19:19:43

I was induced, with pessary gel stuff up you know where and then artificial rupture of membranes. That was enough, no need for nasty drips etc. It was absolutely fine, either way if your little one isn't growing then they are safer out at your stage of pregnancy. Good luck for Thursday! x

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 19:13:45

I had a c-section, but that was partly down to the fact that I'd already had an emergency section with ds1. Everything was fine - ds2 was developmentally perfect, just small. He's never had any health or growth issues as a result and is now 3.

Add message | Report | Contact poster By Sun 05-Jul-09 19:07:15

Thanks for the replies... stinkyfeet, were you induced then, and how did it go?

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Small for dates - any experience?