3rd centile head circumference

[khd94]

Hi all.. i’m really losing my mind over this and i’m in a complete panic

Had 20 week scan yesterday and have to go back as baby laying awkwardly / low resolution could hardly measure anything - i know that happens often.

Head circumference was 3rd centile so referred to fetal medicine. I am so worried

They could see spine, kidneys, cerebellum & stomach and it report said normal. Femur length also normal but that’s all was seen.

Has anyone had anything similar regarding small head circumference i keep googling things and i know im making it worse but cant help it!

Thanks

Way back (my DD's now in their twenties), we had well below head and height readings. I can't remember the centiles, and we weren't referred, but I remember at the time being worried, as it was pointed out by the sonographers and midwives.

Both my DD's were and are perfect. We are actually just a very small headed (and small boned) family, both DH and I have small heads too, nightmare buying hats! Both DD's are also only just over 5ft, with slight builds, again DH and I are not very tall, although I am taller than both the girls, when everyone else seems to have very tall children. Again, our families, both sides, are not over 6ft anywhere.

So, take the referral, get some peace of mind, but it might just be that your baby is on the low side for measurements, but completely normal. The issue with these centiles is that they are averaged, so someone has to be at the top, and someone has to be at the bottom, but neither is necessarily an health issue.

Good luck x

Thank you xx

Hi,

I’ve posted before but we had a similar experience. My daughter’s head was under the chart from 20 weeks onwards. She’s 3 now and absolutely fine. Just petite with a small head.

I ended up on 2 weekly ultrasounds to check her growth continued and was induced about 38 weeks. Big hug. I remember how anxious I was and the Google results are pretty shocking.

Worth measuring your and baby dad's head to see if also small

And keep in mind that the measurements aren't always accurate

I'd be reassured all else was normal, but I know it can be a worrying time x

We had this with DD , extra scans every 2 weeks and an early induction at 37 weeks.
Every appointment I attended on my own it was Concerning.
Every appointment my short, small headed husband came along, everyone was much more relaxed about the whole thing.
DD’s absolutely fine, arrived small but caught up to mid height and weight centiles by around 18mo. Still doesn’t cost much to keep in hats.

I’d probably find being left to it after 20 weeks daunting after having all the extra scans and monitoring last time!