Anyone else's baby below 10th centile at 20 weeks?

[Ladybunnyfluff]

Hello, I've just had my 20 week anomaly scan and discovered that our baby has dropped to the 8th centile (was 40th roughly at 12 weeks).

The sonography didn't seem particularly concerned as I already have growth scans booked from 28 weeks (DD1 was slightly small at birth) but in reflection I'm a little surprised we are not being referred for a placental / cord doppler scan as I seem to recall we were rushed for one when my daughter crossed the 10th centile .

Anybody else in a similar position?
Thank you .

[Nikki2ol6]

No but that doesn't sound right that she's not overly bothered! I'd be worried too. How small was your daughter?

[Ladybunnyfluff]

Thanks for replying my daughter was born on the 9th centile didn't decrease in growth til much later in pregnancy , and was ultimately allowed to go overdue.

I just can't help thinking 10th centile at 20 weeks doesn't give this baby much room to decrease growth velocity.

Midwife has been unavailable all day.

[Nikki2ol6]

That's quite small! Does others in your family have small babies? We have large babies for some reason so I'm not sure about small babies but it does seam odd they arnt bothered but I'm sure your midwife will put your mind at ease

[Ladybunnyfluff]

No, family babies on both sides have all been around the 8lb mark.

I found local guidelines state that any fundal measurement below 10th should be referred for scans and fetal medicine unit etc so I'm further surprised that a scan measuring 8th has been met disinterest.

[eastcoastmum2014]

My DD was born on the 2nd centile!! No one noticed she was small as my belly height was always spot on! They are giving me extra scans with this pregnancy (18 weeks) as I think they are expecting me to have another small one! I wouldn't worry too much, my DD is now almost 20 months and almost 25lb so being little at birth isnt indicative of overall size! Maybe keep trying the midwives so they can put your mind at ease xx

[Ladybunnyfluff]

I'm glad your daughter is doing well Eastcoastmum2014.

I just can't stop thinking they did a lot more for my daughter .

I'm sure midwife will reassure when I hear from here.

Just a bit worried. Seems awfully small for halfway through!

[FlumptyDumpty]

I would be surprised they didn't send you for a Doppler too. I would ask the midwife for one when you speak to her. If she says it's not necessary, ask her to explain why that is and what could have caused the baby to drop through the centiles.

[Ladybunnyfluff]

Thanks Flumpty, midwife is currently conferring with a consultant regarding our little one.

[FlumptyDumpty]

Fingers crossed the consultant comes back with a sensible answer.

[Ladybunnyfluff]

Thought I'd update for anyone who finds themself in the same situation.

I am now 23 weeks and am in hospital next week the moment I turn 24 weeks for an 'emergency' scan.

[Winegumaddict]

Try not to worry though. It's good they'll do extra scans but the 8th centile still means that 8% of perfectly healthy 'normal' (for want of a better way of phasing it) pregnancies measure smaller than you/your baby. Perhaps you just have smaller babies, perhaps this one will catch up who knows. For now it all looks perfectly healthy so there is no cause for concern. My DD was on the 75th centile at birth dropped to the 9th and has stayed there for 18 months. This pregancy I'm measuring on the 10th and a scan has confirmed it's just a small but happy baby. I'm 30 weeks and I'll be scanned again in a couple of weeks just to check it's still growing but no need to worry.

[LillianFullStop]

Yes I think the hospital should do a Doppler scan to check the health of your placenta and good blood flow on the umbilical cord. If all that is well then a 10th percentile baby is ok. I'm 35+5 and baby is in 11th percentile but doctor not concerned after performing a Doppler scan. Also my baby's growth rate is consistent for her chart and I have family history of small babies (my Dsis had perfectly healthy boys and were 2.4kg and 2.7kg at birth)

[NickyEds]

My ds was born on the small side at 6lb 5oz so I was sent for extra growth scans for dd. When she turned out to be below the 10th centile at 26 weeks (?) I was sent for a doppler every other week and regular ultra sound scan every other week - so they had a look at her every week. Every registrar I saw was unconcerned as she was growing at a steady rate, she was just small. She had a tiny growth spurt at 37-38 weeks which just tipped her a whisper over the 10th centile line. She was born at 40+4 waiting 6lb 11oz. I don't know if it's relevant but all of my extra scans were referred to as 'emergency' scans, despite being planned.

[Ladybunnyfluff]

Thank you everyone.
I'm less worried about her being small and more worried about the fact she dropped from roughly 40th to below the 10th in two months (12w to 20w).

From everything I've heard including from the hospital 20 weeks is early to be exhibiting reducing growth velocity.

[Lwizzer]

Hello I know this post was from 2016 but I am in exactly the same situation as you @Ladybunnyfluff - measured 42 centile at 12 weeks and at our 20 week scan yesterday dropped to 8 centile.

Been referred to fetal medicine unit, worried sick.

I was wondering what the outcome was for you? Sending lots of love