Measuring small for my dates

[emseth]

Hi everyone, I've just had my midwife appointment and she said I'm measuring small for my dates (26-27 weeks but I'm 29 weeks).

She's ringing the hospital this afternoon and it seems likely I'll have a scan but does anyone know what happens now? What do they actually do if the baby's not as big as she should be?

I'm trying not to worry & it'd be a big help to know what's likely to happen next - I did ask but she was very vague!

The same happened to me. First off, try not to worry too much. Measuring is not an exact science by any means!

I went for a scan, and they did lots of measurements. The sonographer said the most important thing is that the placenta is functioning normally, which they measure by blood flow in and out.

Unless the measurements are off the scale, they just keep an eye on it, with another scan in a few weeks if the dr/midwife thinks it is necessary. I measured small at my next appointment too, though had grown a lot since the one before, but this time they did not send me for a scan. Another appointment tomorrow. I was also told to try and eat more. pasta (!).

With my baby, the placenta was absolutely fine, though the baby was a little on the small side of average, though all measurements in proportion with each other.

I have heard (but not sure if it is true!) that it is likely your baby will be about the size you were. I was 6 pounds, so am not expecting to have a large baby.

I've got the same problem - went for my 28 week midwife appointment last week and only measured 26cm so I'm having a growth scan tomorrow. I'm trying not to worry too much as I'm 5'9 and exercised a LOT before I was pregnant and still do 4-5 exercise classes per week, so I probably have strong stomach muscles holding baby in. Also he was lying transverse which I think can make the measurement seem less, and the woman in my family do tend to have small babies. I've been Googling a lot about "small for dates" but almost all the stories I've found have been women saying that their scans were fine and baby was just in an awkward position at the time of measuring.

I'm another with a small bump. I was measuring 5 weeks behind and had an additional scan. They took a range of measurements, taking them twice, and all was fine. Do honestly try not to worry. In my area (London) you only get a scan if you are 4 weeks or more behind as it's so common.

It turns out that I have an average sized baby but a small bump. The head is very low, and this might explain it. But also my mum carried small too, so it's also perhaps just one of those things.

And look how small Kate Middleton's bump was, even though Prince George weighed over 8lb when he was born!

I had a growth scan where baby was measuring between 31-32 weeks, I was 28w at 29w my bump measured 29cm! What in trying to say is not to worry, I really don't think bump measuring is fully accurate, it might give an indication but I wouldn't take it as a fact! I'm sure everything will be fine, enjoy an extra peek at baby

I am on DC 3 and always measure between 1-3cm small. IN my first pregnancy they sent me for scans and stuff but now, so long as it grows proportionally each time I see the midwife no one is concerned. Try not to worry. Measuring is by no means exact and two different midwives can come up with different measurements.

Bizarrely virtual strangers often comment on how I'm "huge" and "massive". So at least I can tell them to fuck off because they really are talking shit!

I've had exactly the same thing. Had a small bump at my 28 week midwife appointment, had 2 growth scans at hospital at 29 and 31 weeks and everything was fine. By my 32/33 week midwife appointment my bump, although still on the smaller side, has caught up with where they wanted it to be.

Look at it that the extra scans are a nice chance to see your baby again - and if the placenta and everything is working properly that's the main thing. I was a small baby myself and I'm carrying less amniotic fluid that an 'average' person (whatever that means!) so I was always going to look smaller I guess.

The fundal measurement in my view is a guide - and not a great one. I've seen different people measure the bump differently on the same appointment so it is hardly an exact science!

Easy to say and harder to do, but please don't worry if you can. :)

the same happened to me in my last pregnancy

i was 32 weeks or thereabouts and was measuring about 17 weeks i was worried to death but baby was and is fine, i was just very lucky to be so neat! i am not this time round

I have had this with all four of my pregnancies - I think because I am fairly tall (5'9) but have a long abdomen and short legs relative to my height!! My first baby was 9lbs 8, even though I was measuring over 6 weeks behind when he was born on his due date . Try not to worry - as long as the blood flow through the placenta is fine (which they will check at a growth scan), then I am sure all will be well.

hi op i measured behind in the whole of my last pregnancy allways from 2-4 cm behind through out how ever my midwife ignored it and said it was fine no extra growth scans or anything my last measurement was 36cm at 39+4 all the mw did was ask if i was eating enough anyway my lil guy was born at 40+2 weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces the fundal height is not a great way of telling how big baby is as baby can measure differently depending on how their laying in the womb

Thanks everyone, I'm feeling much better about it. Scan is booked in for Thursday and I'm really looking forward to having a sneaky peek. :) DH said we can also check there's no unexpected willys (they said they think it's a girl at the 20 week scan)

I had my growth scan today and everything is fine - baby's measurements are bang on average and the sonographer said it was probably the transverse lie that gave me a smaller fundal height measurement. Baby has now moved head down. So good luck for Thursday emseth - I'm sure all will be fine.

Hi everyone, bit of an update - had the scan yesterday & everything is fine. Measurements are actually only a week behind and they said she'll most likely catch up anyway.

It was lovely to have a sneaky peek at her and the sonographer gave us a free 4D photo of her face! It's also definitely a girl! Thanks for all your support :)

I have been measuring small since I was 28 weeks, had a scan n they seem fine about it. I'm currently measuring 34cm when I'm 37 weeks :)