Small fetal head circumference

[Hest]

Hi, I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first child had a head circumference in the 20th percentile but weight and length in the 98th at birth and there were no problems, she's beautiful and very bright!... however, last week at a scan at 36 weeks gestation to see if my low lying placenta had moved it was noticed that whilst baby's femur length and abdominal circumference were ok in around the 20th percentile (altho slight drop in AC) her head circumference was now on the 3rd centile. Whilst this is in similar proportions to my first child, just smaller overall, i'm still very worried. It's such a low percentile reading for the head. I know that usually fetal growth restriction is usually a bigger problem when the AC is proportionally small compared to the HC, but I'm worried and my miidwife isn't very helpful. they just said it shoul;d be ok and if its not its too late. But if she'd not growing maybe it would be better to deliver her now. I had a doppler of the umbilical artery which was normal, but she only looked for a few seconds at it and didn't check anything else. Anyone else had scans like
this? Was your baby ok? Ever so worried so please let me know x Thankyou

Hi, I’ve just come across this thread as I’m in exactly the same position with my 20 week scan showing the Baby is small with a HC of the 3rd centile and I’m really worried.
@Sarah19jane your situation pretty much matches mine, I’m just wondering how you got on?
Thanks!

Hi @Cathvana We have the same situation with head circumference 5th centile on 20 week scan. can you please share how your baby turned out? Is your baby doing well? Thank you

Hi. My baby is perfectly fine! She’s 7 months old now and she’s doing pretty well. She’s hitting her milestones ahead of time.. ❤️😍 started to stand up as well

@Cathvana thanks for your reply. That’s really good to hear. Wish you all the very best

Hello, any updates on how your baby is doing? I am in the same boat and any advice reassurance helps!

@aaaluri3395 may i ask how your baby is doing now? In the exact same boat. and terrified!!

This is massively reassuring - I had a private scan where they told me HC is below 5th percentile, and to contact my midwife. I’ve been worried sick. My midwife booked me in for a scan in a couple of days - hoping this is just our girl having a normal small head like her father!

Thank you for this. You have no idea how much it helps to read something like this so thank you so much for posting your experience. I am going through something similar right now and searching through these posts for reassurance. Xx

I know this is an old post, but I read it during my pregnancy and it was so helpful that I wanted to share our story. At 32 weeks, we had a growth scan that measured our daughter's head circumference and biparietal diameter at 3%. Her weight was 15%, so we knew she was small, but a maternal fetal medicine doctor told us that we might need to worry about something being wrong and when I pressed her, she said microcephaly. She said all we could do is wait until the next scan to see if she was growing. We were worried absolutely sick and the next three weeks were some of the worst of our lives. Her head was similarly small (single digits) at the 35 week scan. Our daughter was born at 38.5 weeks (induced) at 5 lbs 10 oz and very healthy and with an averaged head circumference for a 38.5 week baby. She's 6 months now and developing normally! I hope this brings some comfort to those of you reading this.

hi, I went for a growth scan at 21 weeks, HC measured two weeks behind and was in the 3%. I was advice to repeat the scan two weeks later at 23 weeks…. HC and BPD came back in the 3%. Doctors are saying they suspect Microcephaly. I am now 24 weeks pregnant and really stressed out. I’m trying not to be too worried as I have a small head and my first child also was born with a somewhat of a smaller head (but it was not picked on scans during pregnancy). Are there anyone with a similar situation?

Hi,

I had similar experience like yours. With my first baby, in the 20 week ultrasound they told me HC and BPD are less than 1st percentile. They referred me to MFM. I repeated scans every month and doctor said it’s still in the less than 1st percentile range but baby’s head is growing so she would be fine. Even though my husbands head is small like yours, I was so much worried like you and I didn’t have peace until 28weeks till doctor confirmed everything was ok. Im
sure your baby’s gonna be fine. Don’t worry mamma, keep praying and believe that God will give you a healthy baby. Stay positive and strong. Hugs to you !!

Also she is almost 3 now and a very sharp and intelligent girl.

We had a private scan yesterday. Baby is IVF. I wanted a growth scan to see how she is doing. I have been worried that I am not feeling ‘heavy’ in pregnancy and I’ve not had rib kicks. Her femur length was 7.05cm abdominal is 31.23cm and HC is 31.14cm. I am feeling so down and worried even though everyone around me is reassuring me that she is healthy and well. I am also concerned I am not eating enough but I genuinely can’t stomach anything more! I just wanted to reach out and hear from others. Currently 35+3 weeks scan was 35 + 2. Thank you

@Faithfullovecould you let me know how you got on? I’m going through something similar x