Foetus head circumference measuring on the 3rd percentile

[Elizapearl]

Hi,

I'm interested in anyone's experience with a low percentile head circumference.

At our 20 week scan it was found that the babys head circumference was on the 1st percentile, then she was measured on the 3rd percentile a few days later. We were referred to fetal medicine where she was measured on the 7th percentile. We left this appointment feeling hopeful that everything would be ok.

We have now just been for a follow up scan at 24 weeks and have been told the head is now on the 3rd percentile again?? So I'm guessing it's not grown at the same rate as the rest of the body.

Has anyone else experienced this and what was the outcome please.

Looking for good and bad experiences so I can prepare myself. Thank you xx

hey @Elizapearl, I'm sorry to read you're going through this as I know how stressful this news can be, and i hope you aren't having too much of a difficult time.

At our 20w scan we discovered baby's head was actually below the first centile, so we were referred to fetal medicine for additional checks. Everything up to that point had been smooth sailing so was a complete shock. The wait between scans was awful but thankfully after a really thorough couple of scans by fetal medicine we were advised everything looked normal - and that somebody has to be at the lower end of the scale. We were then discharged from fetal medicine and went back to standard maternity care on the nhs, with a few growth scans. Even after the 'good' scan from FM, we couldn't stop worrying and thinking about all the what-if's, and i was a bit unhappy that we'd been landed with that bombshell but then no further testing was done. Tbh it completely overshadowed the rest of the pregnancy and I was really anxious leading up to the birth, not knowing if the baby had some undiagnosed condition. We had scans every 4 weeks from 32 weeks and the HC measurement went up and down but never went above the 5th centile.

Then, we had DC and they were absolutely perfect! they do have a small head, but if you didn't know about all the worry/scans, I don't think you'd even notice - it looks in proportion and they're so cute. DC is now almost two and has been ahead of most milestones - will likely have a small head but as the consultant said, everybody's heads are different sizes, and somebody has to be on the lower end of the charts.

I really hope things turn out ok for you, do you have any follow up scans/appointments? could you mention your concerns at your next midwife appointment?

wishing you all the best!

jjj2024 Thank you so much for your message. Is so nice to have that other have beeb through the same and come out the other side with a happy ending.

You are so right, it completely overshadows the whole excitement of being pregnant and it's literally all I think about. I'm hoping I will be able to have an MRI just to rule out brain issues and hopefully put my mind at ease.

I feel like it is effecting my bond with the baby too as I feel I'm in limbo and uncertain of what the future holds.

I'm so pleased that your little one is doing so well, that's wonderful to hear x

@Elizapearl , yes I really hope you are able to have the MRI for peace of mind. It's so tough, I totally understand about feeling like it's affecting your bond with the baby, I went through that too. It might be worth mentioning to your midwife to see if you can get any talking therapy, I wish I'd done that as instead I really struggled with it for a long time (even after baby was born). I'm pro-scans and antenatal testing but it can cause so much worry and stress!

I'm really optimistic everything will turn out well for you, wishing you all the best xx

Hi, I’m going through the same thing, head measuring 3rd centile, everything else fine.
Have u any update xx