Bump measuring 4 weeks behind - really scared

[mrsbumblebees]

I just wondered if anyone had been in a similar position and had any advice - just been for MW appointment at 24 weeks today. Baby's heartbeat was strong and healthy and I have been feeling movements but when I went in MW commented on how slim I was, and when she measured my bump she said I was only measuring 19/20 weeks and she is sending me for a scan tomorrow to check fluid etc...I'm so scared, I don't know what to think. Obviously I'm very grateful they are keeping a close eye on things but I don't really know what to expect tomorrow.

Has anyone been in a similar position and everything been ok? I've no idea how common this is and if there could be non-worrying explanation for why my bump is so small? Baby was in an awkward position at both 12 and 20 week scans but was measuring ok, so I'm desperately hoping maybe they are just lying low down or something, but I don't know if that's even a thing? She said perhaps I just have very good stomach muscles holding the baby in, but I don't think that's the case as I don't do a lot of exercise. Just so worried and frightened for tomorrow

[picketfences]

Hi, I had to have a growth scan this week too as midwife said bump was 5 weeks off going by her measurement. Baby was perfectly fine, the sonographer said the baby's position can affect the bump measurement, plus measuring the bump externally isn't very accurate. The sonographer thinks the baby is about 2 weeks off the average rather than the midwifes estimate of 5 weeks out, which is perfectly fine, they all grow at different rates.

Fingers crossed everything is fine for you too and hope you enjoy getting to see the baby for an extra time.

[rightsofwomen]

I had a growth scan with my second son. My bump hadn't grown for a few weeks (or only a tiny amount). Everything was fine. I am naturally very slim, have good stomach muscles and was under going some stress. It was reassuring to see my baby.
He's 8 now.

[scaredofthecity]

my bump was about 6 weeks behind in the end. I just had a strong core and was carrying well.
DS was 8lb8 so not exactly tiny!

[londonfeather]

Try not to worry... I went through this recently and it was all fine. I just don't think bump measuring is at all accurate. It's not like they measure your bump pre pregnancy so have anything much to go on.

At my last midwife appointment she measured mine and it was measuring less than 5th percentile - she went into a right flap and sent me off in a panic booking me emergency scans. When I went to my scan baby measured bang on the 50th percentile so all was good.

The guy that scanned me said that routinely anyone with a BMI of 20 and below at booking should be booked in for extra scans because the bump measurement is so inaccurate. It now means I have two more growth scans before due date just to keep an eye even though bambino looks good.

Hope all works out for you.

[HarriboHarribo]

Exact same happened to me at the same gestation! I was sent for a growth scan which revealed everything was 100% normal! In fact, baby measured above average! They concluded I just have very good stomach muscles and hide the baby well. I wasn't showing until 31 weeks and it is just a little bloated belly. Not really a pregnant bump at all. you will more than likely always measure small now as you're unlikely to catch up by 7cm in 2 weeks when you're roughly suppost to grow 1cm each week. However, for me I was told to come back at 32 weeks for another growth scan as they do like to double check which I had on monday. They've found that I have reduced fluid around baby. So am awaiting further tests to see why my fluid has reduced and what the plan of action might be. I was also measuring at 27cm at 30 weeks, but saw midwife today and am actually only 28cm. So have put on just 1cm in 2 weeks when baby should be gaining all her fat by now and making me look like a whale! Haha. That is my experience but in no way am saying it will be the same for you. Everyone is different. Hope everything goes well for you and that you and baby are measuring well! :D

[mrsbumblebees]

Thanks so much everyone, glad to hear that it doesn't have to mean bad news, keeping everything crossed for some positive news tomorrow. Going to be a sleepless night

[ighinici]

mine's been measuring 6-7 weeks behind since the first time they started measuring it. but baby's growing steadily on his curve, so they're not worried. that's probably why they're sending you for a scan, to check your baby is growing.

some babies are smaller than others, some bumps are smaller than others. don't worry :)

[Kannet]

Good luck op. Thinking of you

[mrsbumblebees]

Thanks everyone, so pleased to say everything was measuring fine at scan, sonographer thinks I just have a small bump because of how the baby is positioned and the fact that I'm quite tall, she had no concerns with any of the measurements so that's great news, thanks for your kind words and reassurance everyone.

[Topnana73]

Hi everyone ..newbie here .. I'm a mum of 4 .. I wondered if anyone could help at all .. my daughter is due her first baby 23rd August and been given lots of extra growth scans the most recent was yesterday .. she has been told her baby isn't putting enough weight on his tummy ? And now has to have weekly scans if no significant improvement will have her son at 37 weeks
I've tried to tell her not to worry too much as babies generally put the most weight on in the last month or 2 anyway .. just wondered if anyone else has experienced similar if so what the outcome was .. x