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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Baby measuring small - did I cause this? Is there anything I can do now?

32 replies

bagofsnakes · 18/12/2014 17:59

Today at my 33 week appointment I was told that DC2 is measuring small (30 cms) and I'm being referred for a growth scan. Has anyone else had this and, if so, what was the outcome?

I'm beating myself up thinking that I might have caused this by not eating enough, working too much or by not taking a regular multivitamin. Whether or not I did cause it, is there anything I can do now? Will me eating more help the baby grow?

While my DC1 was a smallish baby at birth (6lbs14) he always measured bang on target when in the womb, so I have no experience of this. Don't know if midwife was just trying to stop me from worrying by saying that I might just grow small babies.

Any info or advice very much appreciated - thank you!

OP posts:

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YorkshireTeaGold · 18/12/2014 18:09

Hi! Just a quickie as nearly bath time but I wouldn't worry about a tape measurement being small... They can often be out. I measured small with dd1 at 34 wks but scan showed she was in normal range andshe was 7.1.

The scanner said she saw lots that seemed small/large but were fine.

So try not to worry til the scan. Hope all's ok with you x

Memphisbelly · 18/12/2014 18:11

I had my 34 week check today and I am measuring 31cm...but I had a scan on Monday and baby is measuring on 50th centile try not to worry, was it a differed mw to normal? As all mw's seem to measure different?

JennyBlueWren · 18/12/2014 18:13

Baby's not measuring small -BUMP is measuring small =baby might be.

At 28 weeks my bump was 4" too big (that's 4 weeks ahead). Luckily at the growth scan they found out that baby was only a bit on the big side (week and a half) and within the normal range.

It might be that your baby is a little on the small side but within normal range or that it's just sitting in a rather compact way giving you a smaller bump. It will probably mean more frequent growth scans to check progress.

Original poster

bagofsnakes · 18/12/2014 18:15

Thank you both . I think I'm just feeling bad as DH has been giving me a hard time for doing too much and not eating enough and it just felt like he might have been right. But I know I should just stay calm, wait for the scan and trust that all will be well. Although that's easier said than done!

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 18/12/2014 18:17

I've had growth scans in both my pregnancies for measuring small by tape. Both babies have been normal sized. It's not very accurate so no point in worrying until you know there's actually an issue. It's probably fine.

Original poster

bagofsnakes · 18/12/2014 18:17

Baby's not measuring small -BUMP is measuring small =baby might be

This is a very good point! It'll be my mantra

OP posts:

divingoffthebalcony · 18/12/2014 18:21

This is a new thing, intended to prevent stillbirths (because slow growth can indicate a problem with the placenta). Wasn't around when I was pregnant with my first in 2011. My community MW said to me that, in practice, it just means she sends lots of women for a scan, but they are all invariably OK.

YorkshireTeaGold · 18/12/2014 18:25

I loathed being pg, always something to worry about! Sounded when I was scanned its unusual for it to actually be a problem when scanned for a tape measurement to be small or big.

Sure it's nothing you've done x

TarkaTheOtter · 18/12/2014 18:29

It's very common to be sent for a growth scan at this point in pregnancy. Most of my friends were. It's also a very inaccurate way of estimating babies weight. I had two seperate midwives measure me in one day and their measurements differed by 3cm.
Enjoy the extra scan and try not to worry.

Oh and if the baby is smaller than average it won't be because of anything you've done so stop feeling guilty.

SmileItsSunny · 18/12/2014 18:29

My bumps and babies were all small. Smallest baby 2.5kg and overdue, but both babies absolutely fine - now a noisy 5 and 3yo, with another on the way!
Don't worry about it!

lunalovegood84 · 18/12/2014 18:33

I was sent for a growth scan at 32 weeks for similar reasons. The scan showed a big baby and he was 11 lbs 9 oz at birth. The bump measurement is very inaccurate and can change depending on baby's position or even when you went to the toilet. They are ultra cautious about these things and it's good they are proactive but I understand it's worrying. The likelihood is everything will be fine - if my bruiser managed somehow to tuck himself in then so could any baby!

j200 · 18/12/2014 18:35

Same happened to me, 30 cms at 34 weeks, worried for 10 days before the growth scan for nothing. Baby measuring bang on.

Try not to worry about the tape measure as so inaccurate (my friend measured small on tape measure and had a 9lb 10 baby!!!) xx

ILiveOnABuildsite · 18/12/2014 18:42

I wouldn't worry too much and growth scan will reassure you anyway but it could just be the way you carry. My dd was born 8lbs but I measure no further along than 31 weeks the day I gave birth to her at 38 weeks. I was induced because they thought she was going to be much bigger than she was despite my measuring so small. The tape measurement are hugely inaccurate as far as I'm concerned.

NewEraNewMindset · 18/12/2014 18:44

My bump measured small and they inferred I was dieting and should eat more. As it happened my son was a very respectable 7lb 9 so I have no idea what the fuss was about.

jenmcspen · 18/12/2014 18:48

My MW measured me at 3 to 4 weeks behind at 31 weeks and when I went for the growth scan baby was bang on the 50th percentile!
I would def agree that bump might be measuring small but that doesn't necessarily mean baby is. I have had all sorts of dietary probs this pregnancy but I am constantly told not to worry and that baby will take what it needs from you.
(The consultant also told me that the measuring tape thing is quite subjective and he always reassures patients that it is a guide) I have been measured by 3 midwives within 24 hours and all got diff measurements so I would agree!

GotToBeInItToWinIt · 18/12/2014 20:15

My bump measured 2-3 cms small the whole way throughout my pregnancy. DD was born at 40+6 and was 7lbs 12oz, so completely average. The tape measure method is notoriously inaccurate! Even if your baby is measuring slightly small, it is very very unlikely it is caused by anything you have done! As your DS was small at birth you may well just grow small babies. How tall are you and DH/families?

Paddingtonlovesmarmalade · 18/12/2014 20:25

My bump measured bang on dates all the way through pregnancy, scan day before induction at 41+5 showed normal sized baby.

Out popped a good ten pounds worth of baby.

I looked huge, but no measurements picked up my giant, but perfect, baby/toddler!

I wouldn't worry based on a tape measure.

NeedaDiscoNap · 18/12/2014 20:30

Hi OP, just wanted to give you my experience - my DD measured small so I had several growth scans. They predicted that she would be little but she was very small when born - just over 4lbs. She is now 6 months and on tht 50th centile for weight and a happy, average sized baby. Just wanted to let you know that even if your baby is small that doesn't mean he/she won't catch up!

Growth scans can be very useful in determining reasons behind a baby's size, but pp are right - measuring the bump is an inaccurate science. Try not to worry and think of the scan as a reassurance for you as well as the midwives/doctors .

LIG1979 · 18/12/2014 20:38

I measured small through my last pregnancy (at least 3cm less than i should have been) but a growth showed dd to be very average. She was born at 38 weeks at 6 lb 4 and she has always been slim she is pretty average height wise. I was told it was because I had strong tummy muscles I held the baby in.

This time I am 23 weeks and have a huge bump. (Dd took away my tummy muscles.) The growth scan may show your baby to be average but held in well.

Lifeisabeach · 18/12/2014 20:40

I was referred for growth scans at 34 weeks in both my previous pregnancies as I was measuring about 3cm less than I "should" have been. Both times the scans showed nothing of concern and my babies were 7lb 4oz and 7lb 3oz at birth.

I'm 26 weeks with no 3 at the moment and people often tell me how neat my bump is - so I wouldn't be surprised if I'm sent for a growth scan again this time too.

My friend was the other way around - referred for 2 growth scans as she was measuring too big. Her baby was 7lb 5oz at birth.

So I really wouldn't worry too much - as others have said the bump measurement isn't very accurate :-)

Original poster

bagofsnakes · 18/12/2014 21:26

GotToBe, we're actually both on the taller side, I'm 5'7/5'8 and DH is 6'1 but, while newborn babies on my side of the family are short chubsters (8.5-9.5lbs), all the babies on DH's side of the family, including him and his sister, were long and very skinny (6.5-7.5lbs), which was just how my DS was (and he is now well over average hight) so I suppose that both of my babies just take after his side of the family.

I can't tell you all how reassured I feel after reading all of these posts. Thank you! Mumsnet is brill

OP posts:

EstRusMum · 18/12/2014 23:41

I loathed being pg, always something to worry about!
YorkshireTeaGold did you get promoted from pg tips?

Sorry, OP, just couldn't pass this one.

hopefull2424 · 19/12/2014 08:11

I had this with both my dd and ds. I'm also 9 weeks and my midwife said it's likely it will happen again. Dd was 6lb4 at 41 weeks and ds was 5lb10 at 38 weeks. Both very healthy just a bit smaller. No one had an explanation as to why they grow small xx

mummybare · 19/12/2014 08:33

DSIL was teeny tiny when pregnant, her DC was 9lb8oz at birth. Some babies are little contortionists in there!

FourthMary · 19/12/2014 08:44

Try not to worry op, and please don't think you have dinner anything wrong.

I measured small all the way through and had 3 growth scans. I went 5 days over and on advice packed prem baby clothes. He weighed nearly 8lb, dh had to hot foot it to sainsburys to buy some more sleepsuits.

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