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

Measuring small 39 weeks - growth scan

11 replies

fluffyslippers · 09/05/2007 11:59

After seeing MW at hospital the other day (to monitor my blood pressure, which was find) they are now concerned that my bump is measuring too small.
It is measuring 35/36cms rather than 39cms - they asked what my community MW thought about this, but she hasn't said a word even though I measured small 2 weeks ago and bump hasn't increased in size since (she has only been seeing me fortnightly).
I had a growth scan at 33weeks cos I was measuring small then and everything was fine (in fact baby was measuring 34weeks) but I can't help but worry.

Anyway I have a growth scan today, I just wondered what the possible problem could be if baby is small? Is this something they would induce you for? I'm worried I'll go into hospital for a check and not get out again until I've had this baby!

Anyone else been in this position?

OP posts:
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NicMac · 09/05/2007 12:03

Hi

I haven't had this but I do know that measurements can be extremely unreliable. I am sure if there was any cause for concern they would have given you another scan, especially as you are almost full term. Good luck and I look forward to seeing your birth announcement.

PavlovtheCat · 09/05/2007 12:08

Yes! Me! I was measuring about the same as you, poss a bit smaller, has been since she was 26 weeks. Always 4-5cm out. No reason was found in the scans, everything seemed ok. The hospital decided to induce me a week early all booked in, and baby arrived two days before this on her own. When they talked about inducing, they gave me the option, gave me the info about it and suggested heavily I do it, but left it up to me. Midwife did a check of my cervix to see if I was 'viable' and I was 1cm dialated already. She said it was a matter of time, and therefore we booked the inducement (? induction?) for the monday. DD came on her own (with a little romantic 'help'? ) the saturday before. If I had not been 'viable' ie body preparing for birth anyway, I would prob not have agreed to being induced. Of course it depends on why your lo is not growing.

She was small at 5lbs, but perfectly healthy, apart from a little jaundice which was nothing to do with the weight. She was strong from the outset, and whilst still a dainty girl, she has been healthy the whole time, had the usual minor cold, meeting her milestones early/on time, happy, eats well, sleeps well.

They never found out why she was not growing well inside, placenta and cord seemed fine, she was getting oxygen/nutrition, just did not want to be there..

I hope it is the same for you. It could also be that the baby is quite far into the back and therefore the measurements are just not reading accurately. I know it is easier said than done, but try not to worry. If there is a need for induction, they will try to give you some time to prepare...

Good luck...

Gumbo · 09/05/2007 12:09

I had this - almost exactly the same as you! My bump was small all the way through, and every now and then a consultant or midwife would send me for a growth scan, and all would be ok.

Then, when I was 39+5 I was told my bump was measuring too small (yet again). I wasn't bothered and assumed that all would be fine, but it turned out that there was very little fluid around the baby. They scheduled me for an induction 2 days later, but as it turned out I went into labour that night. (My baby was fine, btw).

fruitful · 09/05/2007 12:26

There is nothing wrong with small babies, small babies are just lovely!

The issue is with a baby that has stopped growing. And they really need to send you for a couple of scans by the same person to tell that. Your bump size is v hard to measure, if they measure it from a slightly different spot then thats a cm more or less isn't it? And it the baby changes position that can change it too.

The other issue might be if you have very little fluid. They might want to scan the baby's kidneys.

I've had 2 small babies with "not enough" fluid - they were both fine.

Let us know how it goes!

fluffyslippers · 09/05/2007 12:42

Thanks everyone for the reassurances, I will mentally prepare myself in case induction is suggested.
It's my first so it's hard to know what's 'normal' or not. But it's good to hear from others who have been in the same position and everything's been ok.
TBH I'm just dying to get this baby born and 'get on with it' (anyway I'd rather a small and dainty baby than a whopper)!
If I'm back later today, I'll let you know how I get on - if not, hopefully a birth announcement will not be long to follow.

OP posts:
apeainapod · 09/05/2007 12:51

I had this with DS1 at 37 weeks, MW thought he would be a 5lbs baby at term and that he should be 'OK' though. He was 6 days late and 7lbs 8ozs, perfect length etc. The day before he was born my bump still measured smaller than it should have done.

I know it is very very difficult but please try not to worry yourself too much. You could potentially have 3 more weeks for the baby to grow. Good luck.

Lemmiwinks · 09/05/2007 17:32

I wouldn't worry if I was you. What the midwife can or cannot feel in terms of size or even position of baby is not particularly accurate and the scan is the only thing that is accurate in telling you if there is a problem or if you are smaller than you should be or whether you are actually right on target. It's as simple as that really so wait and see how the scan goes. I've had midwives who have told me total rubbish in terms of the position of the baby and I knew this to be the case b/c I had just been for a scan prior to my appointment with the midwife. I would not worry, especially since at your last scan scan, which wasn't that long ago, you were clearly not measuring small. Besides, even if the baby is smaller than average it does not necessarily mean there's anything wrong, he/she could just be petite. Good luck with the scan, hope it goes well!

fluffyslippers · 09/05/2007 17:46

Just to let you know - I've just got back from scan and baby is measuring spot on average, so worried for nothing!
All seems fine, only problem is that he/she is presenting posterior so I'll have to get bouncing on the birthing ball and crawling around on hands and knees.

Hopefully won't be long now.

Thanks again for the words of support.

OP posts:
fruitful · 09/05/2007 20:16

Oh good!

Get cleaning those skirting boards with a toothbrush ... (says fruitful, who has had one breech and one transverse, and clearly doesn't know what she is talking about )

sheepgomeep · 09/05/2007 20:33

well I'm exactly the same as you. I'm 40 weeks on friday and my bump is measuring 34/35 weeks and has been for a couple of weeks.

My community midwife is not bothered at all but the one I saw a few weeks ago was more interested and thought I should go for a scan but she was a locum and I haven't seen her since.
Mind you I don't particularly like my community mw anyway.

I had oligiohydramnios with dd, but this has not been mentioned at all this time so I'm worried

berolina · 09/05/2007 20:35

They do not actually measure at all here (Germany). OK, there is a scan at around 30 weeks, but I think these measurements tend to be thought of here as pretty unreliable.

Size of bump does not always correlate to size of baby. I was enormous (to look at - as I said, no measurements) and had a six pounder.

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