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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 very small at 25 weeks - panicking

23 replies

newbian · 21/08/2017 05:07

Pregnant with DD2 and at the 20 week structural scan she was measuring small. Went back for a follow up scan at 25 weeks now and has dropped to 6th percentile. All structures appear normal so unlikely to be a chromosomal problem but doctor said I can consider an amniocentesis if I want full reassurance.

I have no idea what to do but I am so stressed and panicked, they said it could have been caused by an infection (I live in Asia) or something wrong with the placenta. I feel horrible, can't stop crying, imagining the worst. Anyone been through this and have advice, I can't even think straight. Thanks.

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lookatthemoon · 21/08/2017 05:36

I haven't been through this exactly but with DS I was induced at 38 weeks as he was measuring small (seemed to really drop in growth at 36 weeks). He was measuring on the 5th percentile. He was born small but not clinically small (I'm small!). He stayed around the 5th percentile for the first few months and now is a massive 2.5 yr old (75th centile).

Just follow your doctors advice and keep being monitored. As one nurse put it to me 'well someone has to be on the fifth percentile' ... good luck! xx

lookatthemoon · 21/08/2017 05:37

Forgot to say he needed absolutely no special at birth or after birth. The placenta was nice and big and red. He was just small - perfectly healthy but small.

Icequeen01 · 21/08/2017 05:54

My baby measured small (sorry, can't remember what percentile he was on) and I had to have him by C-section at 38 weeks as he was no longer growing. When he was born he weighed just 4lbs. After two weeks in SCBU he came home and after about a month he began to put on weight.

He went on to become the chubbiest, most gorgeous baby you ever did see who was on the 90th percentile!!

He now a very skinny, 5' 10" tall, lovely teenager who has had no health problems at all.

Original poster

newbian · 21/08/2017 06:19

The fact that she's so small this early is really worrying me though. What's the cut off for viability outside of the womb...28/30 weeks at least right? I'm 25 weeks so if she stops growing now she's not going to make it.

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DrDiva · 21/08/2017 06:27

Just to say that 24 weeks is viable, so you are well within that range. Being a prem mum, I know babies born at 24 weeks.

Also, scans are never entirely accurate. She might be bigger!

Third: my son was born at 31 weeks on the 0.04 centile. He is now 97th, at 5yo.

If your DD must be born early, it is tough, but so are prem babies and parents! She has every chance. I really wish you all the best for your journey.

Cupcakegirl13 · 21/08/2017 06:33

My DD was off the charts small something like 0.2 percentile. This wasn't picked up until week 28. From then on it was weekly scans until emergency c section at 35 weeks. She arrived weighing 3lb 6oz but other than being small was healthy so was only on scbu for 5 days then home after a week. Now about to start school and on the 99th centile !! Cause of the smallness was a very small placenta. It's impossible to say don't worry but now Dr's are very experienced in this and it's not uncommon

Original poster

newbian · 21/08/2017 07:15

Thanks for sharing all I really appreciate it. I feel so frightened that my little girl is not doing well

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tissuesosoft · 21/08/2017 07:28

Is anything wrong with the placenta? A friend had a baby who stopped growing and the doctors gave her viagra injections to kick start blood flow

eurochick · 21/08/2017 08:10

I had this issue. My baby was off the bottom of the size charts at 28 weeks. I was very closely monitored from then on and they delivered her at 34 weeks, by section as they didn't think she was strong enough to withstand a vaginal delivery. She weighed 3lb6.

The problem was with blood flow through the placenta, which they could tell from Doppler scans, but there was also a question mark over infection or chromosomal issues until delivery.

She was in nicu/scbu for three weeks and one day. She's now three and fine, but still petite.

10storeylovesong · 21/08/2017 08:15

My DS was born at 27 weeks weighing 2lb 3oz and it wasn't easy but he's now a healthy 4.5 year old about to start school. It's a scary time, but neo natal drs and nurses are brilliant at their jobs. Some baby's are just small - I imagine they will continue to monitor and keep your little one inside for as long as possible. As someone mentioned, they can do Doppler scans to check of the efficiency of the placenta and judge whether it's best for baby and you to induce early. Have they mentioned what the plan is moving forward?

Original poster

newbian · 21/08/2017 08:16

tissuesosoft placenta problem was given as one of three potential reasons (others were chromosomal or infection) but no one offered me any tests or way of checking that.

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confused123456 · 21/08/2017 08:19

I was measuring 30 weeks when j was actually 37. They sent me for a scan and they said I had nothing to worry about at all.

GavelRavel · 21/08/2017 08:24

they normally test blood flow to the placenta to check it working well via Doppler at the same time they do the normal ultrasound scan. Do they do that where you are? can you book a private scan with a specialist to check and put your mind at rest?

My son was 6th percentile all the way through pregnancy for nearly all measurements (apart from head! great!) but was 2 weeks overdue and managed to be born at 8lbs. he stayed in the 6th centile for height all the way through childhood and is now a slightly short (like me!) perfectly fit and healthy 14 year old. Are you short or petite? was your first baby small?

I think you need to go back to the doctors for more reassurance and to check they checked the placenta. did they offer you more monitoring to keep an eye on growth?

dertyyuoih2 · 21/08/2017 08:26

My little one was 2nd percentile at 28 weeks, I was just monitored with growth scans and he was 6lb2 at 40 weeks so not exactly teenie tiny.
Are they monitoring you with growth scans? To be honest if they were that concerned they would have done something now. They are very good with things like that.
At the moment your girl is still growing and she's better in that out.
My friends little one was born at 27 weeks at 2lb3, he's a strapping 2 year old now. He was better out than in and her body went into early labour.
I wouldn't have an amnio personally if I was you as the pregnancy is viable and I think would do more damage than good. When is your next scan?

coriliavijvaad · 21/08/2017 08:35

My cousin had this - it did turn out to be something wrong with the placenta. She was given some drugs over the course of a few weeks to help the baby develop a bit more strength then she had a c-section. The baby was absolutely fine and healthy just small. The human body is amazingly adaptable and the baby's development adapted to the placenta issue by developing all the organs and functions perfectly just in miniature, so there were no longer term issues.

abigailgabble · 21/08/2017 08:41

can you afford an e.g harmony test? much less invasive/risky than an amnio..

Original poster

newbian · 21/08/2017 08:42

GavelRavel I'm having fully private healthcare and as practice here they scan every appointment so every 4-6 weeks. Next scan will be in 3 weeks though due to this issue. My doctor normally checks heart rate and umbilical blood flow - both were normal. From all accounts she is perfect in all structures other than her size.

dertyyuoih2 I agree amnio makes little sense at this point. DD1 was small throughout and at birth but has been around 90th percentile since she was 4 months or so. Currently an absolutely massive nearly 2 yr old, I buy new clothes and shoes way too frequently! Hoping for the best but the reaction from the doc really scared me as I've been seeing him for both pregnancies and he's never gotten this serious.

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Original poster

newbian · 21/08/2017 08:46

abigailgabble we have insurance so I think I will go for it just to get the reassurance.

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BlackbirdSingsInTheDeadOfNight · 21/08/2017 09:45

Just to let you know that my son was born at 24 weeks. It was a long road and we've had - and continue to have - many challenges, but he's 11 years old now and fabulous. Good luck x

Original poster

newbian · 21/08/2017 11:25

Thanks blackbird

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Original poster

newbian · 22/08/2017 10:12

UPDATE: I got a second opinion from a different OB who measured the baby larger (just one day later) and her percentile is 12th now. He says she's small but not worryingly so especially as DD1 was small also. Placenta working beautifully as per Doppler. Thanks for your stories they kept me sane!!

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BlackbirdSingsInTheDeadOfNight · 22/08/2017 10:22

That's great news! x

ShaneBitchy · 22/08/2017 10:31

Ah great news! I also got told my first DC would be small. Got sent for an extra scan and sonographer said baby would be born around at 4lb - was actually 8lb 7oz.

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