Fundal height not changed 32-36 weeks - worry?

[aamia]

At my midwife appt yesterday, the height was the same (33cm) as it had been at my last antenatal check. Midwife seemed unconcerned as it had been a bit high last time and was now within that graph thing - but I'm a little worried. Surely there should have been a change in FOUR weeks?!! Baby is moving plenty so is def still alive and kicking, but...????

I think if you are at all worried, you should ask for a second opinion, which you are perfectly entitled to do.

I don't want to frighten you, but my friend had a similar issue and it turned out there were problems with her placenta, meaning baby wasn't getting required nutrients and so not growing properly any more. She was also worried at your stage, measured small but was told it was nothing. Unfortunately, the outcome was not good for her.

I am sure the midwife is right and that everything is a-ok and of course it is good that you can still feel movement, but perhaps you could just have it double checked?

I think it probably depends on how far along you are? I.e. if you're 33w and 33cm, then you might just be sort of catching up with yourself iyswim? I agree with bona - get an appointment with another MW if you're worried.

fluffy she said she's 36 weeks.

The amount you're 'allowed' to be out by varies from place to place, usually 2-3cm but not growing at all in 4 weeks seems suspicious. Was it the same mw who measured both times? And has the baby's positioned changed?

If I were in your situation, I would ask for an emergency scan. I know a few people who have measured small after 30 weeks and most of the time it had been nothing to worry about. However, I know one lady who was booked for a scan the following week after a midwife apt (and told it was probably nothing to worry about) but by the time she got to the scan it was too late to save the baby. Not trying to scare you but it's better to be safe. I hope it turns out to be fine for you.

You can always ask for a scan, but I wouldn't worry too much. I measured 33 weeks at 38 weeks. My MW sent me for a scan because she was worried that there wasn't enough fluid around the baby. My scan showed a perfectly healthy baby that was the right size, and in fact I had more fluid than most women. It felt good to be reassured though.

When my DD popped out 6 days later she was a healthy 7lbs 4oz.

Do whatever will make you feel better. It's a worrying enough time anyway, so a scan might really help to settle your mind. If your MW has been good for the rest of your pregnancy though, I'm sure she'd send you for one if she was concerned. Where I live you're allowed to measure out by 4 weeks as long as the baby is still moving well.

This happened to me, but I was in the fortunate position of having monthly scans anyway, as they were worried about baby growing for other reasons. It turned out the fundal measurements and the growth of my baby at the late stages were unrelated. I too had grown fast and then stopped. But baby continued her 50th centile growth, unbothered by my girth or lack of it! However, they can give you an extra scan very quickly, so put your (swollen) foot down. It's nice to see baby again anyway.

I think in my case I had extra amniotic fluid which resolved itself and accounted for the lack of fundal growth for a while. (The problem with lots of observation is that you find lots of things which end up doing no harm at all.)

You could also pay for a scan if you're flush. But I would defs try to get an nhs one.

Don't worry. Get it checked. The midwife could have measured wrong, the baby might have moved. Or there might be a problem.

It could be that the midwife measured wrong either that time or this, but to have no change and being on the small side I would suggest you need a scan.
Call your hospital antenatal clinic and ask to speak to a midwife and explain the situation.

Where I am, static growth or a centile drop lead to a growth scan regardless of movement. My first two measurements showed a centile drop - though he just crossed the 95th line so hardly tiny! Anyway I had a scan the next day and everything's fine. But I am so glad we have this policy as I would have really worried about it. Also, my measurements had been taken by different midwives which is now how they think the 'drop' happened. Ask for a growth scan and set your mind at ease.

hi aamia,
i woudl definitely be referring you for a growth scan. do you have one of those customised antenatal growth charts in your green notes? not all hospitals have these, but these are the guidelines for referral:

• first fundal height plots below the bottom line (there will be 3 lines, the bottom one marking the 10th centile, the middle one the 50 th centile and the top one the 90-95th centile)
• consecutive measurements suggesting:

• no growth (static or flat curve) - which sounds like what you have
• slow growth (curve not following slope of curve on chart)
• excessive growth

they recommend a ultrasound for estimated fetal weight and an amniotic fluid assessment.

if you are worried, then contact someone, perhaps the antenatal clinic in the hospital. they may have different guidelines than the ones above. if the measurements were done by two different midwives then these can be subjective.

good luck,
Emma - midwife

Thanks guys. Last measurement was by obstetrician at hospital after a growth scan 'cause he'd measured too small previously. That scan showed good placenta, blood flow etc and normal sized baby. This measurement was midwife. On the custom chart the measurements were above it last time, and near the bottom line but within it this time. Just - they are both exactly the same measurement...

Do I call the obstetrician team on Mon? Will they say I'm being silly for worrying? If they say no then I'm tempted to get a private scan just to be sure. Cos surely if there IS a problem, I'm 37 weeks now (just lol) so they could induce and he'd be fine.

This happened to me, and ds was a healthy 9lb when born, so I think it was down to inaccuracies in measurements. I asked for a scan and they said no, I was just about still in normal parameters. You can ask though, and ask again if you are worried and they say no.

aamia, you could contact the antenatal clinic and speak to one of the midwives there. things are probably absolutely fine, but if you're worried it is good to call for reassurance :)