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

Original poster

Small bump at 36 weeks, being sent for growth scan

26 replies

MuddyWellyNelly · 30/06/2015 19:58

I've had a tiny bump all along, and am carrying no excess weight at all. I had growth scans at 28 and 32 weeks (due to, I think, my consultant just being uber-cautious as this was a donor egg IVF pregnancy, and I'm 40), and they had the baby at around 30th-40th centile both times. So small, but within normal range.

My fundal height measured 33 today vs my 36 weeks gestation, but I'm not surprised as I don't look 8 months pregnant. I'm assuming that, so long as baby has grown proportionately since last scan, they won't worry too much? Are they likely to suggest steroids if they are worried about size at all? And if so, are there any risks to this?

I'm now going to be sent for twice weekly monitoring, but I'm not 100% sure why. Other than being very neat, my health is excellent and so apparently is baby's. Tomorrow's scan is also going to look at fluid levels, which have previously been fine, so again presumably this is just a precaution due to my size? I asked if the placenta looked ok (we had a quick scan on a mobile machine today, so no sizing software) and consultant was quick to reassure me that there were no health concerns.

Any similar experiences? I hope they won't surprise me with "you're not going home" as we aren't exactly prepared Shock, but of course would cope if we had to!

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Number3cometome · 01/07/2015 11:29

Yes, don't panic!

My first two babies were big, this one has been measuring small and I was recently diagnosed with mild pre eclampsia (had eclampsia and pre eclampsia with my last two so they are being extra cautious)

Baby is on the 10th centile on grow scans, so quite small (but that is my growth chart made in comparison to my other two children). Compared to normal nhs growth charts he is just under 50th.

I am on twice weekly monitoring and have a scan tomorrow where they will decide if I am having my csection earlier or not.

He had not made much growth between my 32-34 week scans (was 5lb at the last scan)

I am sure they won't keep you in, but get everything ready anyway.

quesadillas · 01/07/2015 11:37

I was sent for several growth scans with DS and all was fine. I just hadn't put on much weight. I know several other friends who were sent as well, and all was fine. Obviously it's good they're making sure, but try not to worry too much.

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 01/07/2015 11:40

Thanks for respondnig number.

I don't even know if I have everything I need to get the bag ready. Blush. But I'll head upstairs soon and at least open the bag up.

Hopefully it's fine - surely some people put on more weight than others, whereas, as they say, mine seems to be all baby. But it's interesting yours didn't grow much at that 32-34 week stage. I guess I will find out later today. Meep...

Good luck with yours tomorrow, at least you are term now, I'm still a week away. Will see you on the other thread Wink.

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ohidoliketobe · 01/07/2015 11:47

I was sent for one at 38 weeks. I got my bags ready just in case - but i left my main bags (one for me and one for baby) at home, and just stuck a small one in the boot with enough to see me through a one night stay if they wanted to admit me there and then.

At the scan I was told baby was small but not alarmingly so, and off I trotted back home.

I gave birth to an 8lb "bouncing" baby boy 10 days later. Small my backside!

Mulligrubs · 01/07/2015 11:53

It is a precaution but definitely a good thing - at 37 weeks my son had pretty much stopped growing and I was induced. He was 5lb12oz. He was perfectly healthy but left any longer he would not have survived. So although the extra monitoring is annoying it is very necessary.

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 01/07/2015 12:09

Thanks all. I hope it doesn't seem that I'm annoyed with the monitoring - quite the opposite. I'm delighted to have the extra care, but just wanted to get an idea of what I might expect at this stage. I guess early induction is the most likely outcome, other than "it's fine". Mulligrubs I guess your story is what I'm thinking of in likely outcomes, so pleased your son was ok.

Ohidoliketobe I am soooo disorganised. Sigh. I have a ton of work still to do as well. Seems like small bump can really mean any size baby though!

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BugPlaster · 01/07/2015 12:21

I had bump like yours at 36 weeks - 33 is only just on the small side though. Baby was fine, measured exactly average and arrived 2 days before due date with no complications. Enjoy the extra chance to see baby! Smile

MissTwister · 01/07/2015 13:25

I'm the opposite. 36 weeks measuring 40 - but on the scans the baby is not that big.

I don't think bump size is a very good indicator, mind you nor are the scans!

You're being monitored lots though so all will be fine
x

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 01/07/2015 13:58

I think it's good to be cautious and it's good they are checking you for reassurance but as others have said bump size isn't the best indicator of baby size. If the scans are fine (and sounds like they are) then that's more important than the bump.

I was small with my first, and didn't get a seat on the bus the day I had him! He was big for dates. This time with my second I'm even smaller, even though my muscles should've stretched. This one is 30th centile though so I think I will be back for a growth scan,but still in the normal range.

Kelly1814 · 01/07/2015 14:06

Hello OP. it's good to get checked. i measured small all the way through my pregnancy, i actually had scans every two weeks as it was a high risk one. turned out i had IUGR and a calcified placenta. they delivered my DD by ELCS at 36 weeks and she was just 4 pounds, so she measured only 32.

I had steroids for her lunch and she actually didn't need any help breathing, just spent one night in NICU.

she was tiny, but perfect....and is lovely now. still small, 5th centile for weight, but healthy. we can't all be fatties!

Kelly1814 · 01/07/2015 14:06

steroids for her LUNGS not lunch :)

Number3cometome · 01/07/2015 14:38

I quite enjoy monitoring. Midwives are lovely, I get tea and biscuits, a day off work and more importantly I get to hear baby Smile

MrsC30 · 01/07/2015 16:13

Hi

The exact same thing happened to me with my first pregnancy when i was 8 months i didn't even look pregnant never mind 8 months pregnant had several growth scans every week and they decided baby wasn't growing anymore so they said we will induce you and get her out as we think she weighs less than 5lb. i went got induced and had my DD who weighed 6LB 5oz and was perfect i had her at 38 weeks so try not to worry scans aren't always accurate with the weight estimates!!

Currently 29 weeks and measuring fine this time Smile

Hope this helps and try not to worry!!

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 01/07/2015 16:52

Thanks everyone, lovely reassuring messages. All is well. Baby has grown plenty and in fact abdomen is above average (DH says "that's my boy"!) more like 75th centile. Head average. Monitoring ok as far as I know but mw didn't really say. Average HB seemed to be 130ish with the odd drop or increase. Couldn't see the consultant but he will phone tomorrow so hopefully no panic about early delivery. Current weight estimated at 6lb 5 which seems quite big with 4 weeks to go??

OP posts:
AbbeyRoadCrossing · 01/07/2015 16:55

That's good news. DS was 6lb 9 at birth with 4 weeks to go! He was 75th centile, so sounds like your baby is growing well Smile

Number3cometome · 03/07/2015 12:33

MuddyWellyNelly

Great news!

All good here too, had my scan yesterday, baby is now 7lb!

I am 37+5 and having baby next Friday 38+5, so hoping he will be 7.5lb by then Grin

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 03/07/2015 17:18

Fantastic news number. It's so soon for you now, hooray! Grin. I have been booked for induction but I've still got over 3 weeks, and not even sure if that's the way I want to go. However, was in for monitoring today and there were some tiny contractions going on apparently, so my body is obviously starting the process in its own small way.

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MissTwister · 03/07/2015 18:39

Muddywellynelly our babies seem the same - abdomen big, head normal and mine is 6lb 9 already! Shows how pointless bump measurement alone is if you're measuring 33 and me 40 at 36 weeks!

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 03/07/2015 21:04

It gets worse MissTwister. Today the MW measured it at 32. So apparently my bump is shrinking Hmm. As you say, it's not a very useful measure!

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MissTwister · 03/07/2015 21:38

I got measured two weeks apart on consec days by a consultant and a midwife. The MW did seem to be starting somewhere in my vagina though rather than the pubic bone....

Number3cometome · 06/07/2015 09:51

Defo depends on how baby is laying too.

My baby likes to lay on the right, but measures a lot bigger on the days he lays in the middle.

I think that's why if there is a big difference they offer the grow scans.

Don't worry about it too much.

I will update on Friday when baby is here and let you know what he actually weighed Grin

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 06/07/2015 11:43

Thanks number, that's a good point as mine is usually bum to my left. Would be interesting to know what yours weighs but I won't hold it against you if you don't update straight away Grin.

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Number3cometome · 06/07/2015 11:43

ha! I will try my best but I am a GA for my csection so may be out of it for a while!

Number3cometome · 12/07/2015 14:14

Hello!

Just an update - I had baby on Friday morning (37+5 according to my dates, 38+5 according to hospital dates) and he weighed 7lb 11oz

Quite a bit more than the 7lb from the growth scan a week before Grin

He is absolutely fine and thankfully a very brave anaesthetist attempted a spinal block which worked so I didn't need a GA!

Baby is gorgeous and we came home yesterday afternoon

Original poster
MuddyWellyNelly · 12/07/2015 14:40

Oh brilliant news especially about the spinal block. Did that mean you got your DH in with you? X

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