Measuring small

[laurajane89]

Hi i am 34+5 weeks pregnant and im measuring 31cm, should i be worried or would this be because i am only 4ft11" myself. My midwife keeps telling me not to worry but its starting to get me worried especially when customers at work say "aww your tiny are you sure your 34weeks"

[Gingerpanther27]

According to my midwife someone who was 5"7ish was 38 weeks and measuring 32 weeks had a 7lb baby and they thought she'd only have a 5lb baby - hope this helps your mind x

[laurajane89]

Yes that does help thankyou

[BlueChampagne]

I expect it's because you are petite yourself. I'm 5'8" but slim and got sent for late scans with both of mine as I was 'measuring small'. DS1 was 7lb 4oz and DS2 was 7lb 8oz!

Tape measure method isn't very accurate. Enjoy not having to cart a huge bump around!

[laurajane89]

Do you think i will get sent for a growth scan?

[BlueChampagne]

Think mine were about 32 weeks but no harm in phoning your midwife and asking.

[laurajane89]

I have already asked my midwife but she just says dont worry about it but its hard not to especially when other people notice im carrying small

[Twinklestarstwinklestars]

No method is that accurate, I measured small with both ds' so had scans and both were 1lb ish out on weight, ds1 they thought was 1lb smaller than he was and ds2 was 1lb smaller (he was only 4lb 14). It's normal I think to be 2 cm either way and it still be normal. If you don't feel like you're growing though make sure you hassle them, I had to.

[LittleAbruzzenBear]

I'm small and measured small, but DS1 was 8lbs and DS2 was 7lbs 6, so don't worry. Have a chat with your MW if you're really worried.

[laurajane89]

I think i will have to hassel her because all she says is dont worry

[toodles]

I measured small at around the 32-34 week mark for 3 of my pregnancies. I got sent in every time for a growth scan, and each time, it was because of the way baby was lying. Sent home with nothing to worry about. Babies were 7lbs, 8lbs 2, 7lbs, 7.

Can you ask for a scan to put your mind at rest?

[laurajane89]

She said there is no need for a scan

[RubyrooUK]

I think it's pretty common to measure around 3 weeks small before midwives pay much attention to bump size. I was sent for a growth scan with DS1 at 34 weeks when I measured very small. He was an 8lb baby at birth.

With DS2, I measured 32.5 when I gave birth at 39 weeks + 5 days. Because I had measured so small last time and had a routine scan anyway at 34 weeks that showed all was fine, they didn't bother sending me for a growth scan this time even though I was measuring very small. He was 7lb 5oz. I am not tall either and put on plenty of weight so it's obviously just the way I carry babies!

If your midwife is worried, she will send you for a growth scan. This is good as it just checks that the placenta is working properly and there is enough fluid. If she hasn't sent you for one, she probably is pretty confident it is a mix of your build/position of the baby.

So it is probably nothing to worry about at all but do ask your midwife again at your next appointment if you are worried.

[laurajane89]

Okay thankyou

[MyNameIsAnAnagram]

I am 36 wks but measuring 32, however baby is completely normal sized. If they are worried they would send for a growth scan. I'm sure you are fine

[cuckooplusone]

I measured small with dd on one visit, had a scan and she was just lying diagonally - she was 8 lbs 12!

[laurajane89]

Thanks ladies feel abit better about it now

[RubyrooUK]

Oh and with DS1, I got mega big in the last 3 weeks alone and people who had remarked how small I was all through pregnancy said I was now the size of a whale. That was even worse.

[laurajane89]

How nice of them haha

[jamtoast12]

The size of the bump is not that major, more that its growing iyswim? When 29 weeks I measured 24, at 33 weeks I measured 29 but as growth was fine it was okay. Dd was 7lb 6oz

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

I always measured a few weeks behind. I'm only 5ft 3 (or 4 of I stretch!) and had a perfectly healthy 6lb 13oz baby.

I wouldn't worry at all. Especially as you are so petite yourself.

[babyradio]

I'm 5ft and slim, measuring a bit small too - 29/30cm at 33 weeks and haven't grown in the last few weeks - I have a theory that it's just because we shorties have less space to begin with so the babies, much like goldfish, will not outgrow their tank!

My boyfriend was so confused though "small? but you're massive". Say what you see, darling.

If it really is something to worry about it I am sure it will be picked up on at your next appointment :)

[jamtoast12]

Babyradio

Have they not scanned you? I thought they scanned if no growth was made (in my area, they don't always scan for measuring small but they definitely do for no increase in growth?)

[babyradio]

No although it was mentioned this week - I see my consultant regularly and if I haven't grown by next midwife appt (next week) then I think they will scan me.

I have a blood disorder and a stubborn breech baby so my goodness are they keeping an eye on me!

[Twinklestarstwinklestars]

Just to show they don't measure accurately all the time, I had to go in cos of a bleed last night and one midwife measured me at 24cm and one at 30 when I'm 27 weeks.

[beckie90]

Agree with all the other ladies :)

Ds2 I measured small and Lituraly had no bump till 35wks I got comments all time like god your tiny, don't know were the hell he was hiding cause I'm only slim but he was born weighing 9ib :)

Bumps are pretty deceptive I think as is measuring, ds1 I was much bigger and gained a lot more he was only 6ib 8oz 2wks over.

Don't worry yourself too much :)