Worried about the baby's growth

[Ecgwynn]

I'm 34 weeks tomorrow and I went to see the midwife this morning. She measured my bump as 33cm and said she thought it looked quite small when I'm lying down. She's made me an appointment to see the consultant next week (when i'll be 35wks) because she isn't sure it's the right size and because I'm quite tall (5 foot 8) she can't tell if it's the right size because lots of the baby is inside me, rather than poking out the front more as a smaller woman might.

She reassured me that it's just a precaution and that it might be that I'm just not going to have a 10lb baby, more like a 7lb one. This seems quite likely because my Mum is a similar build to me and my brother was 5lb 3 at 38 wks and I was 6lb something at almost 40 wks. Perhaps it's also affected by the fact my husband isn't particularly large and comes from an Indian background.

So the point is, while I know I shouldn't worry about this and they are just being very careful, I'm still worried. What might be the possible outcomes? If it really has slowed in its growth what do they do about it?

It seems a bit of an overreaction to refer you if you're only measuring a week behind tbh. I was referred for a growth scan when I was measuring 4 or 5 weeks behind at 37 weeks, and it's all fine. My bump practically disappears when I lie down, but that's because he is back to back I think. I really wouldn't worry, I doubt there's a problem, but if there is then it'll get picked up.

I had lots of growth scans with DS due to various pregnancy problems, and my consultant told me that if the scans showed that DS was stopping growing, they would consider delivering him early, depending on how much his growth had slowed.

I would imagine in most cases everything's fine, especially if you have a family history of small babies, but if there is a problem with the baby's growth then it's better for it to be picked up early.

And if the worst comes to the worst and they do want to deliver your baby early, my consultant also told me when my waters broke at 33 weeks that outcomes for babies born at 33 weeks were very good nowadays, so outcomes for babies born at 35 weeks would be even better.

im very suprised she had referred you for anything as your only measuring a week behind!?

I have been having growth scans due to issues picked up at 20 week scan one being the baby is measuring small but i am also measuring 33 weeks and im actually 36+4 they havnt needed to refer me as im already being scanned regually and under consultant care.

midwife said they only refer if your measuring at least 3 + weeks behind.

I really wouldnt worry my friend measured a couple of weeks behind v small bump and she had a 8lb 12oz baby!!!! bump size means nothing! its the actual measurments they take on the scan that matter xx