32 weeks, head is on 0% growth percentile

[gettingrealnow]

I am 32 weeks and the third trimester scan confirmed what they already saw at the 20 weeks scan: the head is small - out of 100 babies it is the smallest.

Other stats seem ok - normal.

So what could be the problem? (Doc said "don't worry, it might be constitutional", but they are still going to re-scan in two weeks... so there has to be some reason for concern...)

Is it a sign of an illness? Is there a danger that the brain cannot grow properly?

Thanks!

Did they not say what it could mean? Or are they not sure themselves?

Bump

No they didn't say anything other than that the head was very small. But they said rescan in 2-3 weeks, so I guess they are keeping an eye on this, but wouldn't (yet) scare me with what this could mean before they get the data they need.

Needless to say that I already freaked myself out on google and a very small head could be a sign of microcephaly, which is a disability.

After my frantic google research I booked myself in with a specialist, for a private scan. Maybe I am just overreacting. Well, the private scan is tomorrow.

Just wanted to say good luck for your scan :). Don't trust Dr Google either - doesn't have that much medical training in context a lot of the time.

It's pretty shocking to me that your healthcare professionals have left you uninformed as to what it actually means!

Sorry I can't help but just wanted to say good luck for tomorrow. Let us know how you get on. And yes it's pretty bad that nobody has explained the potential implications to you. Have you asked your midwife?

Yes they should have given more information to you that's very unfair. I agree do not google! Good luck keep us updated x

Dont want to out myself.
I had something slightly similar.
You are very welcome to pm me.

Hope scan goes ok today - try not to worry. Remember out of 100 babies someone has to be the smallest, doesn't have to mean anything.

thanks for the support guys!

Saw specialist today who was shocked at yesterday's diagnosis.

His finding was: overall small baby (on the 5th centile) because of placental malfunction and reduced amniotic fluid. I will need close (CTG) monitoring and likely early delivery.

Phoned my NHS midwife immediately with new finding from specialist and they immediately booked me for CTG monitoring on Friday.

I am really glad about this new diagnosis... it seems a problem with placenta is manageable - especially now that everyone is aware of it.

Glad you got a good answer today, my ds was born on the 0.4th percentile now he's 2.5 and on the 25th percentile. I was induced at 38 weeks due to low fluid, reduced movements and placenta problems and iugr and he was 4lb 14.

Hope they keep a close eye and everything goes well.

thanks!

and - wow! you fed him well :-)

He actually had reflux so was constantly sick til he was 18 months! Somehow he's managed to always put weight on though.

I'm quite shocked you had to go for a private scan to find that out. At least you know now which is the main thing.

I also had a ds born under the 0.4 centile at 34 weeks by cs. Pretty much the same situation as wishiwasonholiday but a problem that developed with the blood flow to and from the placenta meant he had to come out immediately. He was a tiny 2lb 12 but thrived as soon as he came out, quickly marching up through the centiles. Now 4yo and average height and weight with no problems.

Hope everything goes ok for you. Good luck for Friday.

Another positive story for you - my dd was extremely small in the womb due to placenta problems and low amniotic fluid - I went into premature labour at 35 weeks (often happens with a poor placenta) and she was 3lb 4oz, way below the growth chart lines so off bottom of the scale.

Today she is 20 weeks old, weighs 9lb 11oz and has reached the bottom centile (0.4th). And she is completely abso-bloody-lutely perfect.

It ruined my pregnancy mind you, all that worry. Try to stay positive and relaxed as much as you possibly can.