Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

Original poster

Measuring small

16 replies

Solasum · 15/10/2013 10:53

I have just had my 28 week appointment. The midwife says I am measuring only 24 weeks.

I am 5'11 (with a long back), usually a size 8, and do a lot of pilates so have a strong core. So logically I know there is a lot of length for the baby to be in, and he is moving lots. But still, I am waiting to hear when I can have a scan, and am a bit worried. I have been eating properly etc, and still exercise.

Anyone else been here?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MunchkinJess · 15/10/2013 10:57

I just had my baby girl last week.

I am 5ft3 put on a totaly of 2 stone during my entire pregnancy, size 8 before baby and kept fit and healthy. I was measuring 34weeks at 37/38 weeks.

my baby at birth was a healthy 7.3lbs and quite long! I reckon she will be taller than me by the length of her legs lol I was all bump during pregnancy and not much else.

I think the measurements arent very accurate so try not to worry too much.

IBelieveInPink · 15/10/2013 11:48

I am 35 weeks now, and since 28 weeks have consistently been measuring 1-2 weeks under. However I had a scan at 31 weeks which shows baby is enormous large, and measuring on the 95th percentile! So I'm not sure where I am hiding all that baby!
I don't think measurements are very accurate- just a 'guide' so I wouldn't worry too much.
HTH

TwickyWoo · 15/10/2013 12:55

I've had exactly the same thing. Measured 2cm smaller than I should have been at 28 weeks and referred for a growth scan. I don't have your lovely height but am quite fit and have a strong core too. Reading other posts it appears the criteria for referral on the fundal measurements has changed recently so I think more people are being referred as a result. I've had one growth scan which was fine (slightly low amniotic fluid and probably the main contributor to my small bump) but otherwise all good - little man is wriggling and kicking all the time so I wasn't too worried. Back again for another check today and my bump has exploded in size in the last week or so, so fingers crossed. I'm obviously a late grower and come from a family of small babies so don't think I'm going to have a monster anyway!

I think the fundal height measurement is a little bit subjective and can depend on the way the baby lies etc too. They refer you to check things out when there often isn't a problem (prob arse covering!) and although they don't say things to worry you specifically I've found that they aren't great at alleviating any fears you might have either! Easier said than done but try not to worry about it and enjoy that you get an extra scan or two than you would have otherwise had. From my last growth scan I was told to monitor baby's movements more than anything, so if you're feeling them moving around and you're eating healthily and getting exercise etc you're doing the best you can :)

Keep us updated on how you get on!

Original poster

Solasum · 15/10/2013 13:16

Thank you for your responses. Still no word from the hospital . The midwife told me they have a new policy that she has to get a consultant to agree to referral for scans, so adding in an extra layer of bureaucracy. Very frustrating!

OP posts:

Original poster

Solasum · 15/10/2013 13:18

There was just something a little unnerving about how the midwife's cheery chatter abruptly ceased once she had measured, and she started to look very serious.

OP posts:

Sunshine200 · 15/10/2013 13:26

I was measuring small with first DS- she was 8.3lbs, I was also measuring small with DS2 - she was 8.1lb, so not necessarily anything to worry about.

BookTart · 15/10/2013 13:38

I had this two weeks ago solasum - I was 26 weeks but measured 24. I don't have the benefit of being tall and slim like you quite the opposite

The midwife said it could be as simple as the baby laying transverse, so stretching my uterus more sideways. I was referred for a scan anyway, and the baby measured absolutely fine - in fact the sonographer said she'd never measured such an average baby (not really sure if that is a compliment or not!)

Oddly, it turns out that although my bump measured small, I am actually carrying too much fluid and need extra tests to do with that. So it can't be a very exact science! If you do a search for other threads you'll see lots of people saying that it is all a bit subjective and not to be worried about too much :)

Original poster

Solasum · 15/10/2013 14:11

I can have a scan on Thursday. Wish it could be sooner, but at least it is not ages away I suppose.

OP posts:

ILoveCwtches · 15/10/2013 14:20

I had the same. My midwife said it could've been due to the baby lying across (transverse) but said she had to refer me as her only tool was a tape measure, which isn't very accurate.

I'm 5ft and a size 8.

Baby measured fine at the scan and DD was born on her due date weighing 6lb11ozs.

That said, it didn't stop me from worrying, even though I told everyone I wasn't worried. I got into a right state and the relief after the scan was huge. I wish I'd been on MN at the time, as all this lovely advice and support you've had, would have helped immensely!

Keep enjoying feeling your baby wriggling, I missed it after I gave birth!

Quodlibet · 15/10/2013 14:25

I have just got back from my growth scan. Like you, measuring small (28cm at 31 weeks). I am also tallish, slim and with good core strength (and actually a little bit tired of people's surprised 'oh wow that's a very neat bump, you are tiny' etc). My baby is entirely average sized according to today's scan, and like others have said, the sonographer commented on what an inaccurate measurement fundal height is, particularly if you have a long torso. I know it's hard not to worry but you probably have absolutely no reason to.
If they really thought a scan was urgently warranted, they would have sent you there the same day. It is pretty routine to get looked at if your fundal height is off, but for most people a scan doesn't reveal any issues with baby.

noblegiraffe · 15/10/2013 14:32

Both pregnancies I measured small enough for a growth scan, both times it was fine. I just hide them well. I'm 5ft10.

TwickyWoo · 15/10/2013 23:20

So I'm back from my second scan with a perfectly normal and healthily growing baby. Consultant then measured my bump afterwards and I'm still small. Go figure. I too am getting a little fed up with the 'are you sure you're 30 weeks' or 'gosh your bump is small' comments... Grrr!
I'm not sure why the fundal measurement is so 'important' when it doesn't appear to relate much to the baby's size so just go with it and please do try to not worry in the meantime :)

FishCalledWonder · 15/10/2013 23:28

I measured small throughout. Some midwives made a fuss, some weren't concerned. I told myself i wasn't worried, but it's hard not to be. DD was 6lb 3oz and perfectly healthy. I'm 5'9" so agree height can play a part.

BlueChampagne · 16/10/2013 12:19

I measured small with both mine and got sent for an extra scan with each. Both were full term and healthy weights (7lb 8oz and 7lb 12oz). Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Original poster

Solasum · 17/10/2013 12:13

Just had the scan. Everything is working fine (placenta, kidneys, heart etc.) but the baby is on the small side of average. But I suppose someone has to be.

The sonographer told me to eat more, but as I already am, and in all events I thought the baby took everything it needs as a matter of priority, I am unconvinced?

I was 6.4 when born, so quite small myself.

So not absolute doom and gloom, but not happily in the middle range either.

OP posts:

Kelly1814 · 17/10/2013 13:43

i measured small, according to scans, not a tape measure, as a result had an ELCS at 36 weeks. baby was also measuring a month behind, so was effectively only 7 months, and was a tiddler at just 4 pounds.

the scans were great as they checked the dopplers (which is blood flow in and out of the baby) and these seemed ok, but my consultant wasn't prepared to let me go any further as the baby just wasn't growing.

when they whipped her out it turned out i had a calcified placenta, so it was really good they deivered her when they did.

it was very scary but if you are having a scans they can check all this stuff properly. it might just be that you are cook small babies - i'm also tall, didn't put on much weight, very fit etc before pregnant.

Flip