small baby - worried

[fells]

I went to see my midwife last week and she told me that the baby measured 29 weeks rather than the 32 weeks it should have done. She booked me in for an appointment two weeks later to check the growth. This appointment is on Tuesday. If the baby still seems small I will have to have a growth scan. What happens if the growth scan also proves that the baby is too small? What is deemed too small? I am quite small myself and was also a small baby - I was nearly 3 weeks late but barely weighed 6 pounds. Is it inevitable that I should carry a small baby? Perhaps I should be glad it is small! Can anyone help?

[Rachey1969]

When you say measured - do you mean your bump with a tape measure? If so, I wouldn't be too worried, the baby may have moved position. If the midwife was really worried, she would have sent you for a scan surely? Best of luck anyway.

[tamula]

Hi Fells,

Dont worry too much, we all worry to excess during pregnancy!!!

Like you said you were a wee buba, so the likihood is such that your baby will be wee too. Comparing you to an 'average' may worry you but its all relative, asl ong baby is healthy and IS growing, no problemo

[logic]

IMO measuring the bump is nonsense and it irks me that they still bother to do it. Throughout the last months of my pregnancy I told every health professional that the baby was too big for me to dleiver safely and they all did the tape measuring thing and said "no, no, she's fine, the week number matches the measurement" - guess what? 2nd degree tear because of big baby. So I wouldn't worry too much, tbh.

I was 3 weeks late and barely 6 lbs too.

[missycantstop]

if your small yourself i wouldnt worry to much they cant expect us all to carry big babies. As long as you pregnancy has been healthy and your not bleeding i wouldnt worry. They told me both my kids were small but when it came to having them one was 5.9 and the other 7.12. (there is 51 weeks between them). im now 33 weeks and at the mo they are saying the baby is growing fine even though they did not think i would make it to 20weeks pregnant due to complications.

[Rochwen]

Not to worry, I measured 27 in week 30 and the midwife wasn't the slightest bit concerned. She just said that I was carrying very little amniotic fluid and that surely with my small frame I wouldn't want an 11 pound baby ... and right she is.

Just think of the advantages, less weight to carry around, less chance of stretchmarks and possibly an easier birth?

I'm sure your m/w will keep an eye on it.

[lucy5]

I was told all the way down the line that my baby was going to be big, I was really worried as my dh is one of seven and the lightest was 11 lbs. About a week before I had dd the consultant told me that my baby was small, i panicked,felt sick etc. DD was born 2 weeks early weighing 7lb 2oz So in my opinion they were all talking a load of old tosh! Wait and see what the next one says, im sure it will be different again, dont worry about worrying, its your new job

[Gobbledigook]

I had this too and went for a growth scan - they told me the baby was fine at the scan and he was born at 8lb 10oz!!!!

None of my midwives ever did that measuring thing (with any of my 3 pg) - they all said it wasn't very accurate.

Try not to worry. Quite a few of my friends have had the same thing - one friend did have a small baby but perfectly in proportion (and in line with the mother's size actually) - once out, she shot up to the 98th centile and is still there! SHe ain't small now!

[nightowl]

with my first my bump was never measured. i had a scan and was told my baby was not growing properly and had him 7 weeks early. he actually turned out to be a normal weight for that amount of time.

with my second, my bump was spot on, measuring up perfectly all through. i had many growth scans and at 36 weeks she apparently weighed 5lb 4.

she was overdue and weighed 5lb 5 at birth!

my friend was also told her baby would be too big for her to deliver naturally and she was advised to have a section. sure enough, when baby came out at a perfectly average and normal weight (i dont recall exactly what that weight was), she was absolutely fuming!

i have no faith in scans at all now. they really arent always so accurate in my experience. i wouldnt worry.

btw, my dd is still small for her age but perfectly healthy and doing everything an 18 month old should. she eats like a horse too. (im sure i dont know where she puts it all).

[Miaou]

fells, as far as I can tell they only start worrying if the baby is failing to grow in the womb at an acceptable rate, as it could indicate that the placenta is not functioning properly.

I'm 33 weeks pregnant now: at 30 weeks pregnant I measured 27cm, and at 32 weeks I measured 28cm. Neither I or the midwife were overly concerned, partly because the baby was still growing (albeit a little slowly), and partly because both I and dh come from a family of small babies (and were/are both small ourselves). However she sent me for a growth scan, which I had yesterday, just to be on the safe side.

Turns out the baby is fine - I didn't get a weight estimate but all the measurements showed that the baby is a good size, in a good amount of amniotic fluid, therefore nothing to worry about (at this stage anyway). All the measurements averaged out at what they would expect for a 33wk pregnancy.

Bear in mind the different weights that babies are when they are born - and all are "normal"! And, as has been pointed out, bear in mind that the "tape measure" thing is not always accurate. HTH.

[tarantula]

I had this too and MW sent me for a scan tho she did say she was pretty sure taht everything was fine. I am a slim build and all my family were small babies anyway. sure enough the scan came back saying baby was fine and she weighted 6lbs 9 when born.

[thebump]

Me too! At 30 weeks, my baby measures about 29 weeks and I'm having growth scans every three weeks, despite her growing at a normal rate between scans. They've done test after test and even offered me a amnio (which I refused - putting my baby in danger for being a week too small? I don't think so!) to check that there were no infections. All tests have come back negative and they refuse to accept that I may just be having a small baby. It seems that despite coming from a family of rather short, skinny people, because I have a larger frame now - I couldn't possibly be having a small baby. Just goes to show how some hospitals can go slightly overboard. Obviously, I am grateful for all the attention and glad that everything is being to done to ensure my baby's in perfect health, but I can't help thinking that this constant and perhaps unnecessary worry is having a detrimental effect on the baby? My advice to you would be to attend growth scans, take any tests the doctors feel necessary (within reason) and don't panic. Scanning isn't an exact science and sometimes needs taking with a pinch of salt!

[Jodie657]

I was sent for an ultrasound with my daughter at 39 weeks as the dr thought she seemed rather small, so i started worrying that my baby would only be around 5lb. Luckily i was lying down when the sonographer told me she would weigh about 8lb, what a shock and yes she weighed in at exactly 8lb and perfectly healthy

[smallbump]

I am only 5 foot tall and small build. I have been told that I need to attend growth scans twice a week now (I'm at 35 weeks) and that if the baby has not put on much more weight then they will induce me. That is a scare! When I had my ultrasound, the Dr there said that the baby was healthy and all signs were 'normal' but when my OB got the report she sends me for all these tests - which so far say nothing is wrong and the baby is very active indeed. Apparently the scale of growth chart that they go by needs a real updating ie. check parental size; take into account ethnicity and stuff like that. I am small but proportionate and my husband is slender and always has been. The nurse at the test said that I'm probably just having a small baby because I'm small!! My fundal height was 33.5cm and I'm 35 weeks. The ultrasound says baby is 4lb 12oz right now - and this puts the baby at the scale of 15%, albeit I have 5 weeks to go. I'm a bit annoyed as it has scared the living daylights out of me and I am very worried now when I was not before!

[Hazellnut]

TRY not to worry - they will only intervene if the baby stops growing - I had this - was monitored from 22 weeks and at 37 weeks dd had stopped growing and doppler scans showed nutrients being redirected to the head which is a sign that the baby is not feeding enough to nourish the whole body. At this point I was induced and dd was little - 4 lbs 9 oz, born below the 0.4 centile but within a few weeks was up on the 7 centile. She is now almost 5 months and still on the 7 centile but we suspect thats where she belongs as I am little and dh is too. Developmentally she has no problems at all, is almost sitting unaided, teething etc so no long term problems.

Hopefully all your scans will just be over-caution but the fact you are being closely monitored is good just in case (even though it means lots of worry - I remember it well !).

Wishing you all the best !!

[littlesam]

Glad I found you all by google-ing. Went to have my blood taken yesterday at 27+5 and she said the baby measured about 25 wks. At my last appointment at 25+5 she said it was the right size. She is getting soemone else to check me on Friday and I'll have a growth scan if necessary. Was slightly panicked, but like most people who have posted, I've always been small. 5.15 when born a week early, and the size of a twelve yr old until the age of 16. Didn't start my periods until 15. Maybe she just takes after me (at least I hope so or i'm headed for a ten pounder with rugby players legs!)

Hopefully my mind will be put at rest on Friday.

[99redballoons]

Is this your first baby? I 'measured' ok for my first when everything was still tight and firm, but I'm currently on my second pg and my mw continues to say the baby is small. I think there's just soooo much room in there now it gets lost in a deep cavern when I lie on my back I had my 21wk scan last wk and all the measurements came up as avg and spot on 21wks, so baby must be fine. What was your 20/21wk scan like? Was everything ok then? If you don't mind the amount of ultrasound your baby is exposed to there's no harm in having another scan to put your mind at rest (I personally wouldn't hesitate to have another scan). They are sooo much more accurate (but still not perfect) than a mw measuring your fundal (sp?) height. Try not to worry and if baby's kicking strong and you feel he/she is growing in size then I would try not to worry about it (easier said than done I know). Let us know how you get on.

[smallbump]

Oh thankyou all for your kind help and replies. I am now 36.5 weeks and this week ultrasound showed the baby had gained weight - now 5lb 40z - even though this still puts me at 15/20 %centile. My OB has said I may not have to be induced early or may not necessarily have a c-section. I am still attending growth scans every week from now on. I have a home doppler that I check the fetal heart beat and it gives me much relief. The baby is active (kicking around right now) so these are all reasuring signs. Last time I was in for a CTG (growth monitoring) I found myself standing next to two other women with the same forms at the reception and I was eye to eye with them! This does not happen every day, as I said I am only 5foot and usually the smallest person in the room. So I reckon they were in for the same thing because they themselves are tiny women. I can only hope it's all been a worry for nothing.

[99redballoons]

That's great news smallbump. My sil is very petite (of asian decent, who tend to be a smaller build compared to Caucasian decent(me)) and both her boys were 5lb4oz at 39wks natural labour, both perfectly fine and adorable. So you're already on a winner. The baby should be fine whatever day he/she decides to pop out! Good luck with the birth

[smallbump]

I'm now 39 weeks and have still been attending CTGs and AFIs every week and recently an ultrasound that said the baby's weight has gained and has maintained 'slow growth'. My OB is going to induce me in a couple of days she says to 'be safe' as the baby is small. Still freaks me out as all of the tests say that the activity, heartbeat and fluids are fine and yet she still seems concerned. Well I guess I'll know in a couple of days won't I? This baby is a very anticipated and long awaited IVF baby and this is why she is worried, I am also over 40, although I am petite and fit. I am so bound by statistics it gets very frustrating.

[dizietsma]

It seems a bit counter-intuitive that you'd be induced for a smaller baby, surely the best course of action would be to leave it as long as possible to ensure a better birth weight?

I personally have had the opposite problem with measuring "big for dates". Honestly though, how accurate can a tape measure be? I think it's all a load of nonsense which unecessarily worries pregnant women. Ultimately, for all the fancy-ass equipment they have to measure the baby, these measurements are notoriously inaccurate. My advice? Do what feels best and don't let yourself be freaked out into a course of action you may later regret.

[99redballoons]

Hi smallbump, good luck with the birth, I'm sure everything will be fine and you'll have a beautiful dd/ds. Will look out for your name on here or in the birth announcements page.

[99redballoons]

Hi smallbump... any news?

[teuch]

hi, my friend recently had similar although they let her go into labour spontaneously a week overdue.

Her placenta had stopped nourishing the bub fully at 37 wks causing slow growth but she was perfectly healthy at birth, if a little underweight and hungry!

[Hazellnut]

Any news smallbump ? As I said below I was induced at 37 weeks due to slow growth which turned into no growth.You should see her now though - one of my friends has just commented on her chubby thighs at 6 months !! You wouldn't believe she was such a worry 6 months ago !! Let us know how you're doing.

[tinkerbell1]

Hi Smallbump
Just to say my daughter was born at 37+4 and weighed 5lb 2oz and is now a very healthy 7 year old.
xx