30 weeks pregnant, measuring small.

[comedaygoday]

Hi. I am 30 wks with DC3. Today I had a consultant's appointment. Everything Eas fine, however the consultant asked that a medical student measure me. I agreed and the student only measured my bump as being 27 cms. The midwife measured me at 28 weeks and I.was 28cms then. Could I have shrunk? The consultant said he was not worried and it was because the student was inexperienced, however he has booked me in for a growth scan on 36 weeks. I am starting to worry. Should I? Has anyone else experienced this?

My mum abrely showed at all with me and they had her back for a 36week scan because she wasnt putting on enough weight but i was born a healthy baby. Sometimes, i am sure i looked bigger, maybe its the way the baby was laying which could explain it. If they had though anything was wrong they would have had you in for a scan as soon as the possibly could ie today, so i wouldnt worry yourself too much. But it may be worth keeping an eye on how much the baby is moving and as long as he or she is still moving i would say not to worry yourself. Good luck and i hope that all goes well. x

Hello! I wouldn't worry about the growth scan. It just seems to be just something they do. I've had 2 now because I have a horseshoe kidney, although there's no link that I've been able to find out about between horseshoe kidneys and baby growth. Even the midwife said it seemed a bit odd. Anyway, it certainly doesn't seem to have affected this one - 4lbs 5oz with 8 weeks to go! I doubt you've shrunk. If the consultant was that worried, he could have re-measured. I think the other posters are probably right and it's the way the baby's lying. Try not to worry. In the end it was quite nice having bonus scans.

The measurements are quite approximate. My midwife said 3cm either way is normal.

I got sent for two extra growth scans each time on my previous two pregnancies. I think it's just the way some people carry babies. Body size/shape also plays a part - I am very short-waisted, so it seems understandable that a measurement from under boobs to pelvic bone will be short-ish.

Also the baby in a different position can make a difference to how big your bump measures. And different people will measure differently (even if not inexperienced). I had one midwife measure me in early labour and be determined my bump was small and I had to go to hospital.....had planned a home birth.....despite the fact that a scan a week earlier had estimated 8lb baby. Fortunately another midwife was with her who re-measured and suggested I was fine.

My two were just over 7lb and just over 8lb by the way - so hardly tiny.

Thank you for your replies.