Baby is apparently under 5th percentile - but weight looks fine to me ? Help!

[Sideofthelake]

So I had my second growth scan today on both scans baby has plotted just under the 5th percentile on my chart. However I’ve just looked at the weight on the scan report and baby is weighing slightly under 3lb today at 31+2. This sounds about right to me? Has anyone had a scan at a similar gestation and any experiences ? Back again next week now for another scan !

Hi @sideofthelake it says 1400g in my notes. They need 2 weeks for growth so if its not been 2 weeks it may be a chord scan again. I think they worry about growth slowing on smaller babies more. Hence all the scans we have!

My growth scans were pretty spot on (although I was having them due to big baby). They measured 10lb at 38 weeks and DD was born 10lb6 at 39+2. But no I don't think 3lb at that stage is really really tiny.

You will definitely need newborn and maybe tiny baby clothes though. DD was in up to 10lb clothes even when she was over 11lb and very long.

I think it’s because they’re estimated based on length and abdominal circumference and if the baby is curled up or in an odd position, being marginally off in those measurements can mean a signicant difference in weight estimate. My friend was told her baby was going to be huge 9lb+ - he was actually 6lb ish but he was very tall and skinny which obviously impacted the estimate.

They’ll be checking that the baby is still growing proportionately each scan and that the cord is functioning properly. I would get some newborn and tiny baby sizes just in case (if you keep them sealed you can always return them). If anything happens and your baby comes much earlier and is very small, they’ll be in an incubator anyway so you can order some smaller sizes - Asda preemie clothes are lovely and very affordable and come in very small sizes - I had to order the up to 4lb size for my smaller twin. Also the weights on clothes are just an estimate - I’ve found height is more indicative than weight, my boys are still over months behind in clothes sizes, and the smallest one was still in tiny baby size at 3-4 months old even though he exceeded the weight of them. He’s just short!

I am having a similar experience. Went for a glucose tolerance test due to family history of diabetes, and I had also signed up for a university study at that time, so had an extra scan I wouldn’t otherwise have had at 27+6. Sonographer felt measurements were on the small side, especially the femur length. Measuring on the 5th centile. This was a surprise to me as I am almost 6ft tall, and my husband and I were both 10lb babies, so I guess I expected I might have a big baby too! Switched over to consultant led care and now having scans every two weeks. The last two scans, the doctors have said that the baby is a little smaller than expected for my height, but probably not that small for the average height mother! Now 32+2 and baby on 10th centile. Based on current weight, if it continues to gain 0.5lb per week as it should, baby will come out at about 7.5lb which seems fine to me! It worried me a bit at the start, but now just glad to be having the extra scans which can only be a good thing. Hopefully all goes well for you too, OP

Dd was born weighing 4lb 8 at 34 weeks and now is tracking at 7th percentile for corrected age so is tiny for her actual age 🙈 by the sounds of it I’d pick up some tiny baby bits... they’re bigger than you think (although we did find Tesco the smallest)

Dd2 was born at 31 weeks and weighed 3lb 11oz and I was told this was actually a really good size for her gestation. Dd3 was born at 30 weeks weighing 3lb 1oz so the weight doesn’t seem that out for me. Dd1 (was overdue) was 8lb 6 and I was told she would be under 6lb, so I’d take everything with a pinch of salt, and good luck with the rest of your pregnancy (sorry paragraphs aren’t working for me!)

My baby was 8lb but was born 2 weeks early! They say they gain half a lb a week towards the end?! At 36 weeks I was estimated around 6lb 13 so it worked out for me.

I wouldn't be too worried about the growth scans . They are helpful to get an idea but admittedly by professionals inaccurate and can be out by as much as 20%.

I was only having this conversation with a consultant last week as I'm pregnant with number 2 who agreed they are just a rough guide.

In my experience , we were told 5 days before having our little boy he was 7lb ... he was 10lb . So they can be massively out .

Try not to stress and just enjoy the last part of your pregnancy x

Congratulations xx

Short femur length (just under 5th centile) is the only thing they picked up on with my son, but they dismissed it, even though leg length was proportionate earlier in pregnancy. Maybe if I’d had scans more often than every 4 weeks they would have realised sooner something was wrong. Like I say, I’m sure it will be fine but the best thing you can do is monitor movement and get checked out if you’re worried :)

As everyone's said, growth scans can be inaccurate and get more inaccurate as the babies get closer to full term as everything is so squashed in there so taking measurements is harder. They've identified that your baby is probably on the smaller side, which could just be normal or could be a sign the placenta isn't working so well. That's why they're measuring the blood flow from you to the placenta and from the placenta to the baby. Those are fine at the moment, and that along with fluid levels will be what they're checking next week (they shouldn't do growth again, because it can be inaccurate it should be done at least 2 weeks apart). If the blood flow starts to change there's other blood flow they can measure in the baby to ensure it's getting what it needs, and if it isn't then they may recommend delivery. A baby of a greater gestation does better long term than a bigger baby born earlier so they'll want you to be as close to 37 weeks as possible. As for anyone call them if you're worried about movements, but at least this has been picked up and you're being monitored more closely.

When I was born I was 2nd centile. I'm short but didn't have any health issues.

Thankyou so much for all the replies! I guess there’s nothing I can do other than wait and see! I was wondering though- everything seems fine other than the fact she just seems smaller- would she need help when she comes out ? I think I jusy have this vision of her being fine but starting to think I should be prepared for all possibilities

My growth scans weren’t particularly accurate, but the important thing about them is to track whether baby is still growing - that’s why you have to get regular scans.

My ds1’s growth tailed off in the last month or so, not enough for me to be induced but I did feel reassured that they were keeping an eye on him. In subsequent pregnancies I’ve had to have growth scans because of this but they’ve been fine so far.

Very very hard to say whether she may need help when she’s born. If the slowed growth is due to issues with the placenta, she might need help with a few things when she’s born. With my little one, it was like he was a 30/31 week baby despite being 35 weeks. I hadn’t had steroids or anything so he had problems with his breathing, jaundice, an infection, low platelets etc. He was also diagnosed with a condition affecting his insulin levels which they think was most likely caused by the growth restriction.

But then he was in hospital with other babies who were small and early and had none of those issues. His twin was 4.5lb and needing some help with his breathing for a day, and then time to learn to feed and gain weight (he came home at 17 days old with a feeding tube for a week or so).

Have they talked about the possibility of giving you steroid injections to help mature the lungs in case you do need to deliver early? I really wished I’d been able to have those.

I had a growth scan at 28 weeks estimate was 2lb 11oz and then 30 weeks and baby was estimated at 3lb 2oz. So doesn't sound to far off. Xx

@sinkgirl I did mention steroids she told me when they know when the baby is coming is when they’d look to do them, so i said if they decide they’re doing a section at 37 weeks would I get them before this and she said yes but I’m unsure how well they’d be able to plan this !

@LBNM19 do you mind if I ask how far you are now ? Or is baby here ?

That’s the difficulty - if you have a change of movement or they discover an issue at a scan you might need to deliver right away. I guess they’re playing it by ear. I hope things continue to go well for you.

No he isn't here yet. I'm 31+1 now. Having extra scans as my last baby was born at 28 weeks. Next one is at 33 weeks.

I'm having him via elective c section at 38 weeks and they are giving me steroids before hand. I was quite surprised as it's full term but that's what the consultant has decided. X

@LBNM19 ah in the same position as me then ! Did they say why they picked 38 weeks for your section ? Just cause with me they keep talking about ‘ getting me to 37’ x

@sinkgirl yeah I guess it’s all a waiting game- never had this trouble witn my little boy definitely a girl thing!! Thankyou x

They was going to let me go to 39 weeks but I'm at risk of uterine rupture due to excessive scar tissue so they decided on 38. Booked for the 12th of Nov.