Babies head circumference dropped to 2nd percentile

[RainbowKitten]

Please could someone advise me who has been in the same situation. My baby girl was born on her due date with no health complications. She was a healthy 8lb 1oz and her head measured 34cm at 2 weeks.

At 7 weeks her head measured 35.8 (following the 9th percentile). However yesterday, at 18 weeks she measured 38.3cm and has dropped to the 2nd percentile.

At first the health visitor said its nothing to worry about. Then she rang me earlier today saying she's booked us in for next month to measure her again. I asked if its normal but she couldn't give me an answer, just that all they could do at the moment is monitor her.

I did notice it was hard to get a hat to fit her but didn't think too much of it. Has anyone else experienced this? I tried the dreaded Google for answers and broke down into tears. Please all experiences are welcome

Was she measured with a paper tape measure? They're notoriously inaccurate.

@Beachsidesunset it was one of these... I'm just so concerned because her weight and length are around the 25th and 50th percentile

Thank you so much for your quick reply

Yes, I would try not to panic (I know!) A GP measured my son's head with one and I had to point out it was two inches higher on one side of his head. How is she otherwise, any concerns?

@Beachsidesunset she seems fine in her development, she's overall a really happy baby.

I had a water birth with her, I wanted to give birth on all 4s but the midwife wasn't having it and told me to go on my back with my feet against the side of the bath, so she could see. Because I was unable to open my pelvis like this, I tore my clit which made me jump. The pain was excruciating! The next thing I knew I was being shouted at because I was sitting on her head. I didn't even know. I just feel so guilty that I've caused some kind of damage. But it makes me so angry that if I was allowed to birth on all 4s like I wanted, that probably wouldn't have happened 😔 I just hope thats not the reason her head isn't growing as fast

I think its most important that her growth, when plotted on a graph follows a gentle curve rather than ups and downs. You're right, genes do play a part but so does nutrition and a healthy, active lifestyle