Measuring small - advice?

[Teamkhaleesi]

I had my 32 week appointment this morning and bump was measuring 29cm. Up until now she's been measuring either normal or only 1cm behind. Midwife said she would usually book me in for a growth scan but as I already have one booked in for a few weeks time (for a completely unrelated reason) she's happy for me to wait until then. I'm now home and am really worried! Has anybody else had experience of this and what was the outcome? Should I have pushed for a growth scan sooner? I'm just worried she's not getting what she needs to grow....everything else seemed fine. Good heartbeat, lots of movement and my bump has grown by 2cm since last time. Anyone got any advice on how I can relax and stop worrying?!

If it makes any difference this is 2nd baby and first was 8lb 11 which is very big for my petit frame

Hi op,

I'd ring back and insist on an earlier scan. I wouldn't be happy to 'wait and see'. Probably everything is fine and tape measures are notoriously inaccurate but I lost a baby at 31 weeks last year and the only sign I would've had is that she was measuring small (it was never picked up for me)

Twinkle, I can't imagine how awful that is for you and I am so sorry. I just called the maternity assessment unit at the hospital who agreed and have booked me in this Thursday for a scan. Thank you for sharing that with me

I'm really glad you have, your baby is probably perfectly fine but better to check. Even if baby is small it doesn't necessarily mean anything bad,small babies are born perfectly healthy every day. My little one was only ever scanned at 12 & 20 weeks and I lost her at 31 and I feel that had I been scanned again after 20 weeks her issues would've been picked up.

Tape measures are notoriously wrong- my friend was told baby was small and scan the next day put her over the 50th centile. Equally, the tape measure totally missed my baby's growth issues.

Take care x

So sorry Twinkle

Glad you got an earlier scan, OP, best to get checked out if you're worried.

If I can offer any reassurance to you, I was measuring small with my second baby. Reduced movement too. I had a growth scan and was monitored a couple of times. Was told he would probably be under 7lbs. He was 9lbs 8ozs!! And in perfect health! He's a super tall 3 year old atm!! Try not to worry

Hi Op

Had my DS last year. Was measuring small from around 26/28 weeks (I can't remember exactly, but it was around then). I had growth scans every 2 weeks from 30 weeks, and was induced at 37 weeks. DS came out completely fine and healthy at 5lb 8oz, he was perfectly proportioned, just petite! We came home the same day as midwives were completely happy with how he was feeding etc .

Try not to worry too much, growth scans are a relatively routine thing to have- I know a lot of people who have had one or more throughout their pregnancy, and everything worked out fine. Plus it means you get to see your baby every couple of weeks, which is always a bonus

Hi Op,

I had growth scans every couple of weeks from 30 weeks onwards as my bump was growing about half the speed it should be. DS was born 3 days early - simple birth, a healthy 6lb6oz

My 2 both measured 2-3cm behind from 20w. MW was never concerned. Both born over 10lbs

My bump has been measuring very small all along (4 or 5 cm behind to begin with and even now still consistently 3cm behind) but I've had two growth scans so far and a 3rd coming up on Friday and so far baby has been bang on average size for dates (and with a fat tummy) - not small at all! Very good to have the scans and keep an eye on things of course, but don't let the bump measurement alone worry you!

My bump was measuring small with DC1-turned out she was footling breech. Sometimes it's just the position of the baby that makes them appear to measure on the small side?

Thank you for all your replies. Scan showed baby measuring bang dates down to the day so just shows how unreliable the tape measure is. I'm really glad I went to get it checked though. Definitely better to be over cautious than regret it later.