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Pregnancy

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

Confused about baby's size...

9 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 15/01/2014 15:07

I had a growth scan at 28 weeks where they checked his head and abdominal circumferences and then femur length which were then plotted on a growth chart. The measurements came out as baby sitting above the 90% the percentile. Me and DH were surprised as our measurements from the 20 week scan had all been around the 50th percentile but we were just glad he was growing.

I saw my midwife today for a routine appointment (just over 29 weeks pregnant) and she was feeling my abdomen, saying I was "hard all over" and that it certainly wasn't going to be a big baby or a 'chunky monkey'. She had not seen my growth scan results at this point so was just passing comment based on her own opinions. I asked if she thought I had a small bump then and she said it certainly isn't big by any stretch of the imagination.

After she had finished with me I then told her about the growth scan I'd just had at the hospital and what those readings had shown and she seemed quite perplexed. She was comparing the plotted growth scan chart that the hospital had to the one that she was using in my Maternity notes and there is a big difference in their results.

She told me not to worry and just sort of shrugged it off. She told me that she had no concerns and so not to focus on it as baby seemed fine. I was happy with that as I have no worries about the baby, but has anyone else been in this position??

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polarpercy · 15/01/2014 15:18

Don't worry (easier said than done)! I had a scan at 32 weeks, to check growth and I then had a consultant's appointment straight after. All measurements on the 90th. Consultant felt bump and then looked at my feet, he then told me that this was a smaller baby. I queried this and he then checked my notes and said 'ah a bigger baby as I expected'?! I also had midwives and consultants telling me to be prepared for a c-section as she would be huge. She was 7lb and 2oz and arrived at 40+1! Don't let it stress you out even with scans there is a margin for error.

lilyaldrin · 15/01/2014 15:20

It's all just guesswork really, I wouldn't worry.

juju283 · 15/01/2014 15:20

I havent been in this position but I wouldnt worry about it at all. I have to have growth scans so I ignore the fundal measurement they take at midwife appointment. It's all to do with how much fluid you have and the way the baby is lying. It might be curled up which could make your bump appear smaller. Usually they take the fundal measurement and if you are out of range on more than one they'll refer you for a growth scan to check fluid levels and baby size but you have already had a growth scan and measurements were fine so nothing to worry about.

BakeOff · 15/01/2014 15:41

On another thread someone likened it to estimating the size of a car by measuring the garage. Grin Huge margin for error and all a bit of guess-work.

I'm not sure why they bother when so many people seem to have been given completely wrong estimates.

Writerwannabe83 · 15/01/2014 15:49

That really made me smile bakeoff

I would have assumed that growth scan results were accurate or what is the point to them??

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FastWindow · 15/01/2014 15:53

IME and from lots of threads on here midwives like to try and judge the size of the baby. Lots of posters in here reporting the exact opposite of their midwives' opinion when the child is born!

Go with the science.

madwomanintheatt1c · 15/01/2014 15:54

The point to them is to make you think that science is Really very Clever and to convince you that doctors are the bees knees, what with all the technology.

They are still guesswork. Science is nowhere near as scientific as they would have you believe ;-)

I ended up having a c section as they told me my baby was vast and there was no way it was coming out. They were predicting 9lb 13 minimum and told me she could be a whole pound heavier.

She was 8lb 6oz. This wasn't just one growth scan, this was me driving to the hospital every day for monitoring for the last two weeks of my pg.

Now whenever anyone tells me how big their baby is, I just laugh. Until it comes out and you weigh it, it's a total guess.

madwomanintheatt1c · 15/01/2014 15:55

Rofl at 'go with the science' - don't do that!!! Just nod and smile, and let the weigh it after the birth!

imaginationzero · 15/01/2014 16:25

Hello! I'm 35wks and have been told for 10wks that we are having a small baby.

Growth scans every 2wks and blood pressure checks every week. Small baby is linked to pre-eclampsia apparently but I haven't got it yet.

I feel fine, baby had turned apparently and is super active. Try not to worry, and I hope I can trust the science as I only have tiny baby grows! Confused

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