Too small, overwhelmed and worried

[JenJen84]

Hi all. After my second set of measurements I am told I'm still too small (I'm 31 weeks and measuring 27) so we're off for a hospital appointment and checks - can anyone tell me what these involve?
*Obviously lovely midwife did tell me but its nicer to hear it from mums to be/mums!

Secondly feeling hugely overwhelmed, as the time moves closer. Realising I'm certainly not prepared enough, don't know enough, wont do things right... :( My partner is the best guy in the world, but he works A LOT, we have a lot to do at home and some times I feel we're missing out just sitting and talking about what we want when baby comes, how he feels, how I feel... I feel a bit isolated really and want to get him on board more but not forcefully because that's not very fair either?

Anyway would love to hear from people feeling the same, who can make me feel less of a freak :)

Hi, I measured small though my 1st pregnancy (usually 4-5cm all the way). I had extra scans and if I remember correctly they look at hom the placenta is and the liquid. I'm sure they look at bubs to but I can't remember. You will also probably see the consultant, which is fine nothing that different from seeing you midwife.

It was fine and I'm sure lots of people will reply saying the MW measurements are notoriously inaccurate!

In respects to feeling overwhelmed, seems normal to me. But try to talk to your partner, don't carry it by yourself. It is a massive life change so take time to digest it and DON'T be too hard on yourself.

Oh and if you're a freak so am I

You're not a freak, it's totally natural to feel overwhelmed! IME DP's do tend to be a little disengaged until the baby is actually there, slmost like it's not real until they can see it if you see what I mean? Are you going to any classes? Maybe get DP to come with you if you can or to the MW appts.
It's hard to explain how I 'got over' the overwhelmed bit, I just got on with things, asked for help if I needed it and above all was kind to myself! Don't expect to get everything perfectly right the first time, you won't hurt your baby, they don't need much in the first few weeks, feeding changing and washing and cuddles will do it.
Do try and talk to your DP about things, he may well be feeling the same.
Can't really help with the size thing, my 3 have all been small babies but I just had an extra scan & was told I must just carry small ones (all between 5 & 6lbs at birth).
Rambled a bit, sorry. Just remember it's normal to be scared
HTH xx

I measured small with both mine, had extra scans, and it turned out they were just neatly packaged. One was 7lb 8oz and the other 7lb 12oz.

Thank you :) I guess these feelings are what you don't see, when you see a doting mum and baby you forget they aren't wearing a sign on their head saying "Im scared inside!" :)
I will definitely try and pick a quiet time to chat with partner, he's such a wonderful guy, but sometimes gets hung up on fixing things - and this is one thing he can't "do" anything about, just want someone to talk through things with :)
I secretly don't mind being small, so long as they tell me baby is a-ok then I'll call it a blessing in disguise!
Thanks again xx

You will almost certainly have a growth scan where they will measure the baby and see how she/he is growing, check the placenta and how much fluid is around the baby. More than likely you will have blood taken and bp checked. If the baby is measuring small for dates they will take a doppler reading to measure the blood flow to and from the baby.

It seems to be fairly common that some women do measure smaller fundal height wise, especially if they are taller but the growth of the baby is spot on. Should the baby measure smaller you will both be closely monitored.

With regards to your dp I can't really give advice as I'm feeling the opposite and wanting space and time more than anything. However you will feel overwhelmed and certainly feel like you don't know enough and worry about not doing things right -we all feel like that. Even if you've already had one baby like me, you have the wibbles about how much you've forgotten from the first time round. Half of parenting is winging it and hoping for the best. You will make mistakes but learn from them and you do the best you can do.

Good luck with your hospital appointment.