measuring small

7 replies

debdee · 30/08/2012 17:43

Hi,
Had MW appointment on Tuesday and as well as the usual things she's measured fundal height & said its a bit small but as they don't usually measure until 28 weeks she wasn't going to plot it on the chart. I was 26+4 and measured 23. I had a growth scan with dd because towards the end measurements dropped a bit below the curve. All was fine then, but I'm worrying now (probably irrationally) because my bump looks a lot smaller than in my previous pregnancies & I've also put on a lot less weight. I've gained 12lbs so far which I'd gained pretty much in the 1st trimester the other times, I have a really small appetite too & could quite easily go without lunch & tea although I do make myself eat & on days where I eat less I drink lots of milk. MW booked another appointment for 3 weeks time (wouldn't be due to see her for 6 weeks if measurement hadn't been small) & said if I measure so small then ill be sent for another scan. 3 weeks is a long time to worry though :/.

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mummy2benji · 30/08/2012 22:41

Hello :) Are you getting baby movements? If baby is moving about then I wouldn't worry too much. I'm 31+5 and only put on 17lb so far - I put on a lot more than that with ds. I measured 1cm less than the midwife expected this week but it still plotted as normal on the graph. Every pregnancy is different - your weight gain is almost certainly less because your appetite is less and you're not eating as much. Fundal measurements are a guide but are very unreliable - I'm a GP with a special interest in Obstetrics - a lot of women get sent for extra scans because they are measuring small for dates but baby turns out to be normal size. I know it's hard not to worry in pregnancy, but I would try not to be overly concerned and keep trying to make yourself eat 3 meals a day. x

Kittycatcat · 31/08/2012 01:59

I had two friends go thru this and both had healthy babies, one was 9 1b something so not small at all. They also allow 2cm either side of measurement without concern. Hugs

TittyBojangles · 31/08/2012 08:09

This is precisely why they shouldn't measure until 28 weeks. It is causing you unecessary worry.

Purplecatti · 31/08/2012 08:36

I'm measuring 3 weeks under (I'm 32 weeks) and have been since they started measuring me. As the heart rate is fine and I'm feeling loads of movement I'm not worried. As I have been consistently getting bigger the midwives aren't worried.
Everyone says my bump is small but I think I'm huge.

Original poster

debdee · 31/08/2012 11:29

Thankyou, I'm getting loads of big movements, DS has been watching my bump today & he things its dancing in there :). I guess if there was anything wrong and baby wasn't growing well I wouldn't have such a lot of movement? I'm a bit annoyed at the midwife for measuring me really, it was pointless... Purplecatti I did think I was massive until this week but now I've started over thinking everything I'm suddenly tiny in my mind!
Going to try put it out of my mind because I know that should I have a scan it will show everythings normal!

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terilou87 · 31/08/2012 12:05

i hate the fundus measurements they are so inacurate. it doesnt really matter what fundus hight you get for your first measurements as long as further measurements are following the curve on your chart to show the baby is growing and if it isn't they will send you for a scan to check all is ok. with my first i wasn't told this and my midwife was telling me it looks as tho my baby was going to be around 11 lbs scared me to death dc1 was 8lb1, then with my dc2 she was measuring a little small about 2 weeks behind on the chart she weighed 7lb7 then dc 3 again told small weighed 7lb3 and another boy this time and on fundal measurement at 28 weeks told measuring 33 weeks. got to say this is soo annoying and worries you for no reason. also it can depend on the way your dc is lying if breach fundus is higher if transverse it can be smaller.

AlisonDB · 03/09/2012 20:15

You didnt mention your height, hubbys height or previous childrens birthweights?
I am measuring small, have another scan in 4 weeks, but i am only 5ft hubby is also not tall, snd 1st son was 6lb9 born, and is just under average height for his age.
So long as you can feel baby move i would try not to worry too much.
I agree they shouldnt start measuring till later in your pregnancy, as babies grow so much in the 2nd tri.

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