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FTM small baby anxiety

9 replies

Katyx3 · 19/04/2018 19:14

Sorry to ask but can anyone please advise
Bit of background, I'm 28 + 4, I have a personality disorder, before pregnancy I didn't eat much at all but I am trying my best, since I found out I was pregnant all I do all day is read about baby things I can't shut off and I'm not sleeping.
Went for my 28 week midwife app (had a 4d scan a week earlier where measurements weren't accurate but estimated weight of 2lbs) but when measured by midwife I was on 10th centille estimated 2lb2 :(
How accurate is this? Has any one had the tape measure measurements be wrong before? Girls in work say I have gotten big now and will probably be huge by full term, I thought that was a good sign now I'm so worried he will be tiny :( xxx

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Katyx3 · 19/04/2018 19:20

Also suffered with HG and still have the occasional bout of sickness every few days which really don't think has helped x

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Yarnswift · 19/04/2018 19:27

Measured by midwife? As in tape on tummy?? Waaaaay off. Way, way off. Especially if you’re a petite FTM :) you still have functional abs.

Don’t worry about the HG starving the baby. Unless you were very underweight to begin with the baby will just take what it needs from you. I had HG with my first - he was 7lb at birth. 6lb byvthe time we left hospital - I’d measured two weeks ahead the whole time.

Tape measures are really not that accurate - they are supposed to pick up any big swings in growth, not be an accurate measure.

Have you spoken to your Mw about your anxiety? Are you getting support?

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Eeeeek2 · 19/04/2018 19:28

I was sent for a growth scan for being too small by tape at 26 weeks, scan measured me 2nd percentile. Ds arrived too big for newborn clothes, very long and 8lb.

If you're worried abou the amount of food you eat talk to the midwife and be honest what you eat and she can reassure you.

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Katyx3 · 19/04/2018 19:34

Yes as in tape measure, I just can't see how it's accurate! I actually thought I was doing ok all other scans etc have just been few days behind I ended up in hospital for monitoring after that midwife app and the trace on baby was perfect heartbeat and very active. I had a spot on bmi at my booking app, normally I have low bmi, so was happy with that. Now just not sure how to make things better!
Nice to know your baby weighed well on arrival!
I had 8 sessions with my psychiatrist but she concentrated more on depression and things that could happen after his arrival. And put me back on low dose of meds.
Thank you for replying xxx

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pastabest · 19/04/2018 19:35

Well that's the thing about centiles, a percentage of children have to make up each centile otherwise it wouldn't work.

The measurements are notoriously inaccurate, but even if they weren't there isn't anything wrong with being on the 10th centile, that's just where your baby is.

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Yarnswift · 19/04/2018 19:45

Yup - my perfectly healthy, strong as an ox boy is about 15th percentile. :)

What they are looking for is abrupt changes in growth. A baby tracking on the first percentile is normal. One tracking the the 99th is normal. One who starts on the 99 and drops to the 70 in a week or two may have an issue.

Well done on getting your BMI on to normal, that’s a great achievement. I’d ask your MW for some more sessions and concentrate on the anxiety - take the drugs as well!

Pregnancy is an anxious time - be open with your mw bit from what you’ve said it sounds like you’re brewing a healthy little person in there :)

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iismib · 19/04/2018 20:13

Please don't worry, everyone I know says how inaccurate the tape measure measurements are. Mine certainly were, with my first I measured really average but DS1 was 10lbs and 98th percentile! Congratulations on your pregnancy x

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Bluebirdsky · 19/04/2018 20:16

Measuring with a tape measure isn't that accurate. If they are worried they will send you for a growth scan.

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Katyx3 · 19/04/2018 20:32

I am probably just over thinking it but can't calm down :(
She said if no better next time (8th May) she will refer me for scans. When 4d sonographer didn't measurements (he was in awkward position) she said they weren't as accurate as she would of liked but he measured 3 days behind, which would actually make him due on the original due date I had!
God I hate my brain lol xxx