Baby hasn't grown in a fortnight but midwife unconcerned. Should I be?

[ArtemisTheHunter]

hi everyone

I'm 31 weeks with my first and had a midwife appointment yesterday. When she did the fundal height measurement she noticed that the baby's growth appeared to have slowed in the past fortnight, ie it wasn't following the curve on the graph, but said it looked fine because the measurement is still within normal range. The baby was lying transverse both times the measurement was done.

I had another look at the chart today and noticed that the actual measurement she's written down is exactly the same as a fortnight ago. She has just put the cross on the graph in the wrong place so it looks as though growth has slightly increased when in fact it is static. According to the NHS Perinatal Institute info this should trigger referral for an ultrasound scan, so I don't understand why the midwife didn't think it was a cause for concern.

I've left a message with the midwifery team for someone to ring me back but wanted to ask if anyone else has experienced this and whether I should be making a fuss and insisting on a scan? Baby is still moving as normal and I know fundal height measurement isn't 100% accurate but I am worried about these figures. I have also been diagnosed anaemic, I don't know if that has any bearing on growth?

Any experiences or thoughts would be very much appreciated.

I would perhaps call your midwife and double check, explain that the chart doesn't match what she said. She will probably send you for scan. Try not to worry x

The traverse lie will affect measurements. That maybe why she is not concerned.

I understand your worries though and would probably want a growth scan for reassurance myself, but would imagine its the traverse lie affecting the measurements.

My bump stopped growing, which I attributed to my healthier diet and subsequent weight loss, but it did worry my MWs who sent me for a growth scan. This reassured them, and me, that all was well. You can request one, I imagine. In the end, my dd was born very small, but otherwise seemed, and seems, fine. Good luck!.

It may well be due to the transverse lie, as any growth wouldn't show up very well even if the baby's actually growing fine. With my first I had the same issue around the same stage, and was referred for a scan - I would push for that just to put your mind at rest. My dc1 was low birth weight in the end, but absolutely fine.
Occasionally static growth can be an indicator for more serious problems (unfortunately I've also experienced this subsequently), so I am probably a lot more cautious than most. But certainly worth asking for a scan as its the best way to check everything's ok and stop you worrying.
Good luck :)

Thanks everyone. The midwife rang back and I explained the mistake and she has been out to measure me again. The measurement is the same. When I plotted the graph accurately the measurement is below the 10th percentile so she has referred me for a growth scan, but the first appointment they can give me is next Thursday which is 8 days away... is that usual? It feels like a lifetime. My DP is going nuts and insisting I should ring them and demand an earlier scan, which isn't helping me, but I don't know how quickly these things change. I will admit i'm worried sick now. This is a much wanted IVF pregnancy which has taken 3 years of waiting, a miscarriage and lots of invasive and stressful fertility investigations/treatment to achieve and i can't bear the thought of anything going wrong now

In the meantime just I it or your movements and straight to hospital if you are worried or anything changes x

Monitor movements *