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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Measuring under

24 replies

Jessica1992 · 22/10/2013 19:52

Did anybody else measure 28 weeks at there 30 week midwife appointment? Im worried about my babies size as I appear to have a small bump at 32+1

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Haribolover · 22/10/2013 20:25

Yes - was measuring 29 weeks at 31 weeks. Had a growth scan planned anyway. Had it a couple of days later and everything was fine. Baby measured just around 50th percentile so no concern at all.

Measuring seems to be relatively crude way of measuring growth and measring under often seems to bare no relation to the actual size of the baby.

purple84 · 22/10/2013 20:27

Everyone keeps telling me that I don't look very big, which may be nice to hear normally but it really worries me when they say it especially as I am 39+2, but all my mw measurements have be a week over, I think everyone just looks different and if your mw hasn't shown concern, don't worry yourself.
Good luck x

Original poster

Jessica1992 · 22/10/2013 20:31

I have my next midwife app next week, if I am still measuring under I assume that I will go for a growth scan..
I'm not too fussed because my baby is really active and I wouldn't mind seeing him again! Lol

It's reassuring knowing other people measured under also. Is it a possible sign of earlier labour? This is my second child. First child was 14 days over

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Original poster

Jessica1992 · 22/10/2013 20:32

I wish I had a mere few days left good luck!!!

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MetellaEstMater · 22/10/2013 20:32

I measured 26 weeks at 28, but as this is within the normal range I haven't been referred for further tests.

I had exactly the same with DD1. She was 7lb 2oz, born four days late.

The midwife did say some taller women measure small. Apparently that may be the case with me even though I'm only 5'7" which I think is pretty average

Original poster

Jessica1992 · 22/10/2013 20:35

Oh I'm not tall at all I think I'm around 5'1"

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purple84 · 22/10/2013 20:39

I think it is still very primitive with the measuring as each MW I see, seems to do it different to the last anyway.
I got told taller women tend to measure under too but I'm 5"10 and always measured over!!
I read on here once about a woman measured small and was told she would have a small baby throughout pregnancy, then gave birth week early and had a 8lb baby!!

Original poster

Jessica1992 · 22/10/2013 20:42

Crikey! I had a 8'6 baby but she was 14 days over!!
I'm due on the 16th dec and hoping he arrives before Xmas but I doubt he will :( lol

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onlysettleforbutterflies · 22/10/2013 20:45

I measured under the whole way through, my mw worried me silly and I had numerous growth scans, all of which were fine. I was told to expect an early, small baby...he was 5 days over and 7lb 10oz!

Original poster

Jessica1992 · 22/10/2013 20:49

That is a healthy size, my midwife left me in the lurch only mentioning I was measuring under but didn't reassure me. Roll on next Tuesday when I see her again

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Artisticme · 22/10/2013 21:35

Usually they only really have a concern about measurements if you are 3 cms either side and like has been said they can be slightly inaccurate at times aswell so please don't worry. You are still within the normal range and also had been said you can measure slightly small and yet have a larger than average baby!! :) xx

Solasum · 22/10/2013 22:46

I am in the same boat -measured 24cm at 28 weeks. Growth scan shows baby is small too. I was 6.2 when I was born, so trying not to dwell on it. As a pp said, it helps that the baby is really active! But am still a bit worried that at my next appointment he will still be small and they will try and make me be induced. Irrational I know.

princesscupcakemummyb · 22/10/2013 23:09

im now 38+3 and measuring behind im measuring 36cm i have persistantly measured behind by 2 or 3+cm in this pregnancy this is my 3rd Dc the midwife has never said anything to me untill today where she asked me if i was eating i am btw lol anyway try not to worry fundal height depends on babys pos sometimes and if the mw is worried they will tell you

Solasum · 22/10/2013 23:11

I was asked if I was eating properly as well. I could be wrong, but surely it would be pretty obvious if I was not? Stick arms, hollow cheeks etc.

McBaby · 23/10/2013 03:25

My bump did not grow from 30-34 weeks. Had a growth scan and baby was estimated to be on 90th percentile at 6.5lb she was born 41 weeks at 8lb14oz.

The bumb measurement it just a guide so if there is no growth it's an indicator there is could be an issue but it dies not mean there is. Plus an extra look at the baby is always nice :)

LittleAprilStrawberry · 23/10/2013 03:29

My bump stopped growing at 35weeks. I had an extra scan at 37 weeks and everything was fine. Before that I had always measured small. I stopped growing, but DD didn't and now I have awful stretch marks! I didn't show until I was around 30 weeks. DD was 5days late and weighed 7lbs, and perfectly healthy.

jammiecat · 23/10/2013 11:48

I think it's a rather inexact measurement anyway. My experience was the opposite as I measured ahead all through my pregnancy but then gave birth to a full-term 5lb 4oz baby! That took everyone by surprise, my midwife included!

I'm sure as others have said if they are concerned you will be scanned to make sure all is well. Good luck.

Cariad007 · 23/10/2013 11:54

I'm just curious, but how is measuring the bump an accurate reflection of the baby's size? For example, someone who is very overweight may have a larger bump than someone who is very slim or has strong stomach muscles? One of my friends is due a month after me but as it's her second pregnancy she is showing far more than I am. Unless I wear something tight-fitting I just look like I've had a huge plate of pasta for lunch but she's looked properly pregnant for a while now. Of course it's her second pregnancy in 18 months so that probably has a lot to do with it too.

BummyMummy77 · 23/10/2013 11:57

Mine stopped at 35 weeks too. 38 weeks now and still measuring 35. :(

Midwife says he's very lively and isn't worried though.

TwickyWoo · 23/10/2013 13:20

I measured 24 weeks at 28 weeks - had 2 growth scans since then and everything is fine with the baby. At the last scan (which showed baby on average weight line for 30 weeks) I was measured by the trainee consultant, so she could practice, and still came out measuring 3 weeks behind. So in my case the bump size doesn't appear to bare any relation to the baby's growth or size - I'm just small!

It is an indicator only - and one that doesn't necessarily appear to demonstrate there is anything wrong with the baby for the majority of women. I think they want to be seen to be vigilant with this whole pregnancy process and sod us pregnant women if it causes us stress and anxiety in the meantime!

Rant over (I think my hormones might be gearing up today - sorry!) :)

Cariad007 · 23/10/2013 16:30

Yes, it does seem like a way of unnecessarily worrying expectant women. I'd have thought a scan is the only real way to determine the size of the baby.

nowthenmardybum · 23/10/2013 16:58

Don't worry over it.

I measured under throughout pregnancy-at 39wks I was measuring 33cm. I had 3 growth scans and on the last one was told that DD had stopped growing and hadn't really grown since my previous scan 3 weeks earlier. They decided to induce me at 39+5, just after my final growth scan.

I was told to expect a 6 pounder, scary noises were made when she got a little stressed during labour as she was a 'small' baby and told me i might need an EMCS, blah, blah,blah

DD was born at 40 weeks, 7lb6oz, 50th centile for weight and length!

As I said, don't worry yourself over it

TarkaTheOtter · 23/10/2013 17:21

I was measured by a community midwife and hospital midwife on the same day with dd and there measurements differed by 3 cm/weeks so it's really not accurate at all. Even the growth scans are a bit of a guess on weight as they are just based in averages.

pegster · 23/10/2013 17:24

Been measuring small here too, MW not worried as bump does increase between appt's though I was only 35cm at my 38+4 check this week. Baby is very active & is following a nice curve on the chart just below the average. It can't be reasonable that every pregnant woman's bump is exactly the same size surely?

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