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Original poster

Small head circumference 20 weeks

63 replies

SearchingTheSkies · 19/12/2022 17:17

Hi all, my baby's HC was measuring around the 5th percentile at the 20 week scan. The sonographer said technically it's still within normal range, but would need to be kept an eye on with growth scans. All other measurements were around the 35th percentile and no abnormalities detected. Has anyone else had similar? What was the outcome? I've got a follow up scan Thursday (currently 25weeks) and just so worried.

OP posts:
northerngal20 · 09/02/2023 20:08

ahh bless her! so good they're monitoring you so closely and great the tests came back clear. obviously it must be stressful not knowing when delivery is going to be and her being small, but it definitely seems reassuring that she's symmetrical. how are you feeling?

yep no more info for us as yet, hoping we can get booked in for another scan soon. it's been a long few weeks and can only hope baby is doing ok in there! it's crazy how different the monitoring/treatment plans vary based on where you are

Sprinklerainbows · 09/02/2023 22:18

@northerngal20 thank you 🤍 I’m just hoping the placenta doesn’t give up on us. So hard not knowing really!

bless you that’s so so bad and yeah the post code lottery is ridiculous!! Is baby kicking lots?

northerngal20 · 15/02/2023 19:30

yeah that must be so hard, i can't imagine. will be thinking of you and hoping the placenta keeps going so she can keep growing in there!🙏

fortunately getting lots of kicks so hoping that means things are ok. I guess i just have to assume/hope that cause no-one seems too concerned things are ok..?! will update if i have any news!

Original poster
SearchingTheSkies · 16/02/2023 20:00

Sorry for lack of update! I've just caught up on the thread and so pleased to hear the news looks positive overall @Sprinklerainbows
Sorry that you're still waiting for more checks @northerngal20 I hope you get more support soon.

I'm now 33 weeks and dd's head seems to have caught up a bit, so no longer really small compared to the rest of her measurements.

The newest worry (ha, there's always something isn't there!) is that her overall size on my personalised growth chart is beneath the 10th centile and at each growth scan I'm having it's falling roughly 1 or 2 centiles, so not quite tracking the curve, but still growing. No one seems too concerned, but I'm having scans every two weeks to keep an eye. They haven't suggested there's anything wrong with my placenta, so no idea what to think. I'm seeing my midwife on Monday so going to ask her what she thinks.

OP posts:
Original poster
SearchingTheSkies · 04/04/2023 08:12

I just thought I'd return to add a final post to this thread in case anyone stumbles upon it in the future.

DD was born on Thursday weighing 6lb 8. She's smallish, but not alarmingly so, and her head seems perfectly in proportion. All her checks have been normal so far.

Hope everything works out well for the other posters on this thread.

OP posts:
pottypotamus · 04/04/2023 08:20

Wow! So happy for you OP!!! Congratulations 🥳 wishing you all the best.

My third dd had a small head circumference throughout pregnancy but she came out just fine too.

Sprinklerainbows · 04/04/2023 08:39

@SearchingTheSkies aww congratulations that’s lovely news! Glad it’s all worked out okay!

enjoy the newborn bubble!
I’ve only got a few weeks left so will update you and hopefully add to the good outcomes x

inigomontoyahwillcox · 04/04/2023 08:44

I had exactly the same with DD - her head was measuring smaller than yours, she was born completely in proportion albeit small (6lb 3). They theorised that she has been lying awkwardly when she had been scanned, hence the low head measurements.

Congrats on your DDs arrival.

SirVixofVixHall · 04/04/2023 08:44

Congratulations OP ! Lovely news.

WheresTheForum · 04/04/2023 10:53

Fabulous news OP. Many congratulations!

northerngal20 · 04/04/2023 13:43

@SearchingTheSkies such lovely news! congratulations!! really glad to hear she's doing well. so happy for you all!

We're also a few weeks away - haven't had any more scans since the scare around 20 weeks, but the consultants/midwives I've seen since don't seem concerned at the moment. hopefully we'll also have good news to share too!

Bubbleses · 04/04/2023 14:00

Scans are so inaccurate re growth it’s frustrating! At my 20 week scan I was told baby was looking around 30th percentile but had very short femur length (around 3rd percentile). They said likelihood was that baby was just petite and weren’t worried as everything else looked good. I was subsequently referred for growth scans because my belly was measuring small in the third trimester. I had several scans, all showing baby around 20th - 30th percentile overall with short femurs. Baby was subsequently born perfect and over 9lbs on the 80th percentile…legs aren’t short either.
I know they say there is a margin of error of circa 15% but I couldn’t believe the difference. So inaccurate and that was based on multiple growth scans.

mummyto3nearly4 · 16/08/2023 10:40

Hi I hope this message finds you all well I’m so worried I just need some reassurance I’m going out of my mind yesterday I was scanned 20+1 everything is showing normal but the head baby is on the 9th but head is in 2% I’m so worried I can’t even sleep my anxiety has taken over and I’m just at breaking point, she said the baby’s head was in my cervix and it might be how it’s laying but the head is measuring small I have a scan in 2 weeks to follow up but it seems like such a long way away has anyone had similar situation

Sprinklerainbows · 16/08/2023 14:02

My baby was born in May. She was 9th centile over all and her head 0.4th
we are under paeds and awaiting genetic testing and mri. No concerns so far though. She’s exactly how I remember my son being at this age.
try not to panic! For most people it’s just a small measurement and they soon catch up xx

mummyto3nearly4 · 16/08/2023 14:23

Thank you so much I feel so lost I’m trying to stay positive it’s been nice to read so many positive messages on this thread I’m praying for a bigger head on the next scan

Sprinklerainbows · 16/08/2023 19:23

@mummyto3nearly4 I understand the worry! But if they were super concerned they’d tell you!
We had other things on our 20 week scan and were referred to fetal medicine at a different hospital. If it’s just the HC alone I’ve rarely heard of anything being wrong xx

mummyto3nearly4 · 16/08/2023 19:27

Thank you so much for your comment I really appreciate it I have a appointment with other department in 2 weeks as a follow up scan I take a lot of comfort form these comments advice and the support one anxious mummy here hope all is well your end x

threefiftysix · 16/08/2023 19:37

@mummyto3nearly4 honestly don't worry. The difference between 9th percentile and 0.4th percentile is so so so tiny. I had lots of different body parts at v different percentiles at my scans. Dr wasn't concerned at all. The scans are not super accurate

mummyto3nearly4 · 16/08/2023 19:43

Mine is 9th and 2nd I just no I’m going for another scan in 2 weeks I don’t understand any of it thank you so much i appreciate your reply’s

mummyto3nearly4 · 16/08/2023 20:06

This might sound really silly is 0.4 smaller then 2% I don’t understand these readings very well I do apologise for the questions

threefiftysix · 16/08/2023 20:09

Sorry you said the baby's head is 2nd percentile and rest of baby is 9th percentile. That's really not a big deal at all in my opinion. It's such a tiny difference. Enjoy your pregnancy x

Sprinklerainbows · 16/08/2023 21:33

@mummyto3nearly4 yeah 0.4th is smaller than 2nd but when your baby is in utero 1mm makes an enormous difference so the margins for error can be up to 50%!

I had weekly scans of the placenta and then the baby the following week for the rest of my pregnancy and thought it was stressful it gave me lots of reassurance. If they are worried they will bring baby out sooner x

Pinkflowers1 · 17/08/2023 15:11

Hi all
Sorry to jump on this thread. I'm also worried sick having had my 20 week scan earlier this week and baby's HC was measuring below the 5th. I've worked it out to be below the 2.5th centile so freaking out. I've been referred to see fetal medicine. Is this looking bad? Thanks so much for any replies.

mummyto3nearly4 · 17/08/2023 18:48

From what the reply’s say it’s notthing to worry about they are small babies but as I said it’s very worrying and these comments have helped to calm my anxiety a lot was everything else normal

Original poster
SearchingTheSkies · 18/08/2023 16:21

@Sprinklerainbows congratulations on the birth of your baby! Lovely to see your name pop up on here. I hope all the upcoming checks continue to provide reassurance. How are you getting on?

@northerngal20 How are you doing?

@mummyto3nearly4 Sorry you're going through this. In my case it was nothing to worry about, and I imagine the odds are that your baby is perfectly fine. Hope your next scan brings you reassurance. I totally get the feeling of anxiety. It's horrible, but you will get through this and hopefully soon be able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

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