Small baby at 27+3, any experiences?

[NewYearsEveEve]

Had a private growth scan today at 27+3 and by head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length baby is measuring 26+2

All three measurements look to be consistently under rather than one being tiny. I'm not sure what centile each were but estimated weight 2lb2 atm

Sonographer didn't seem too worried but I'm a bit anxious as at 23 weeks we were around 45th centile iirc so not especially small. She suggested eating more but I do eat lots and not sure if this is proven to help? I'll certainly use it as an excuse to eat plenty though 😀

Is it worth speaking to midwife about? I have a consultant appointment in a couple of weeks but don't know if she will scan as a matter of course

Thanks!

It's not that small but if you are worried speak to your mw. Did baby measure smaller earlier or did they change your dates? My dates have been put back because baby measured smaller.

I would mention it to your midwife, but that doesn't seem too unusual to me, especially if she hasn't plotted it on a centile line. I have measured about 35-40th centile with both of my pregnancies. My daughter wasn't huge (6lbs 9oz), but she was born at just 37 weeks, so it's expected she would be smaller. I measured about the same at 20 weeks with this baby but I also measure about a week ahead by fundal height. The measurements aren't precise and it's not a big deal to me. The only people who will measure spot on for dates at 27 weeks are people with babies at the 50th centile. There have to be people like us who measure a little less or a little more to make that possible. Realistically, not all babies grow at the same rate. You should be having an appt next week anyway, so they'll measure you and you can talk through it with them, but I really wouldn't think too much about it as long as you are otherwise well. They really shouldn't be trying to date you at this point anyway, but plotting a centile line with your measurements.

Thank you both. I think I was just surprised that baby seemed quite a bit smaller for dates now than at 18 and 23 weeks (when it was about 45 - I expect its less now but private scan doesn't state centiles).

I don't think they'll change my dates because aren't they set at dating scan for this reason, because babies grow at similar rate up til then and can then vary in second and third trimesters?

But - thank you very much for mentioning the routine midwife appointment, I hadn't realised it was so soon! Better book that in 😀