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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

25wk mw appointment - measuring really small

11 replies

Fluffeh · 13/01/2013 20:47

Hi I had my 25wk midwife appointment today. It was the first time they had measured me but I'm really worried about how small it's coming up.
It is literally on the bottom of the chart. It doesn't come anywhere near the predicted growth curves. The mw said not to worry as I have a growth scan early feb and the chart isn't too accurate before 28 weeks but I can't help worrying a bit.
Has anyone been through similar but everything's been ok?
Thanks

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N0tinmylife · 13/01/2013 21:10

Yes, I had a tiny bump all the way through. By 41 weeks I was measuring 30cm around, and its meant to be about 1cm per week I believe. I had about 4 growth scans. DS was absolutely fine, not huge at 6lb 6 oz, but perfectly healthy! I would take your midwife's advice and try not to worry!

noblegiraffe · 13/01/2013 22:05

How tall are you? I measured small in my first pregnancy and got sent for a growth scan. Baby was just hiding well! Weighed 7lb7 at birth, so fine; I am tall and I think this probably affects things as there has to be more room inside!

Newtothisstuff · 13/01/2013 22:16

I was the same..measured 7 weeks behind with both of mine.. DD1 was 5lb12oz and DD2 was 6lb2oz neither massive but perfect I'm sure you will be fine op. who wants a massive bump anyway

Original poster

Fluffeh · 14/01/2013 06:58

Thank you for replying :).
I'm not really tall only 5'6. It's reassuring to hear that it may just be normal though.
I don't think I'll stop worrying until after the scan but knowing others have measured small and had nice sized full term babies is good to hear.
I honestly thought I was huge already and was hoping not to get much bigger. Now I don't care how big I get as long as the baby keeps growing :).

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VivaLeBeaver · 14/01/2013 07:11

If you're on the chart then that's good news. The predicted growth lines are the 50% average lines. So some people will be on the average line but many others will be above the line and below the line, inc right at the bottom of the chart. At least you're not off the chart!

Kind of like my 11yo been the shortest kid in the year I guess?

And at this stage of pregnancy there is plenty of time for growth spurts, etc. tape measuring fundal height as a one off which is all you've had so far isn't accurate. It's really only useful when its sequential measurements taken by the same person......so it checks that there is change/growth between appts. It's unfortunate your first measurement has been on the small side but try not to worry.

You'd have had your 20week scan not that long ago?? They'd have done measurements at that scan of femur length, abdo circumference, etc.

worsestershiresauce · 14/01/2013 08:13

Don't worry, you'll be fine. There are lots of reasons why the measurement might come up small, the most likely being the baby is lying at an oblique angle. If there was a problem the midwife would have sent you for a scan.

Msbluesky32 · 14/01/2013 08:39

Firstly congratulations!
I'm 5ft 7 and my first measurement was small too. The midwife pointed out though that I have a very long torso, so the baby has lots more room lengthways and this is why I'm a bit small (never being able to find swimming costumes that didn't pull me in two made so much sense all of a sudden!) . In complete contrast a lady at work had measurements that were completely out of the parameters the other way and it turned out she was carrying a very large amount of water. The baby was just shy of 6lbs when it was born but she looked like she was carrying twins and really struggled. The thing I took most from that was all our bodies are completely different so the measurements could easily be very different for different body types. As a few other ladies have said it could also be down to where the baby is lying. Try not to worry, the best thing you can do for yourself and the baby is stay nice and calm. If the midwife was concerned she would have suggested another scan.

N0tinmylife · 14/01/2013 09:04

I am only 5'3" so I don't think height necessarily makes any difference. Enjoy your small bump, if it stays that way, you will be a lot more comfortable towards the end!

noblegiraffe · 14/01/2013 09:07

Although you might get a bit peeved by people saying 'gosh, aren't you small, lucky you, I was massive' when regardless of how small your bump is you may still feel like a lumbering elephant and want sympathy!

Original poster

Fluffeh · 14/01/2013 17:36

Haha @ lumbering elephant! That's exactly how I felt until I learnt I was actually quite small. All my friends and family like to point out how much bigger I am from visit to visit.
I do feel a lot better hearing all your experiences, thank you. I guess I'll just wait for the scan and in the mean time try not to worry :).

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chocchoc30 · 14/01/2013 18:01

I have to have a scan tomorrow because my baby is only measuring 27 cm at 31 weeks. This is the first time I have been measured. I don't exactly look small though but on the plus side I get to see my baby again.

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