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

Original poster

Bump hasn't grown in three weeks... so worried

17 replies

CobaltRose96 · 28/12/2018 10:38

Hi all.

I'm currently 29+6 with my first baby. Almost 30 weeks! Can't believe it Shock

I had my 28 week midwife appointment yesterday (despite being almost 30 weeks Grin) and unfortunately have been referred for a growth scan as my bump hasn't grown at all in the three weeks since my last appointment Sad

The midwife was reassuring and said it may have been that the first measurement wasn't accurate, plus I'm fairly tall so baby may have been well tucked in yesterday, but I've got a growth scan on Monday morning just to be on the safe side.

I did what you shouldn't do and Googled static bump growth, and saw posts about placentas failing and babies being born early... Sad

This is my first baby but second pregnancy (last pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 12 weeks) so I'm already fairly anxious. I'm still feeling lots of movements from little miss (though I've previously had to go up to hospital for reduced movements - thankfully all was well) so I'm trying to stay positive.

Did anyone else have a bump that didn't grow much/a growth scan?

Thanks Smile

OP posts:
polkadotjersey · 28/12/2018 11:03

Sorry to hear you're worried.

One of the women in my NCT group got sent for a growth scan because her bump hadn't grown (I think between 31 and 34 week appointments) and baby turned out to be measuring within the normal range.

Another friend was sent because she'd jumped from the middle line of the graph to way above the top line but the sonographer said it was likely due to the bump measurements being done by different midwives.

Hopefully you'll get some reassurance on Monday xx

giveovermypreciousss · 28/12/2018 11:20

I had growth scans for all 3 dc. For my ds2 they were very concerned and I ended up having lots of scans.
All were fine and healthy normal weights. All were born at term or thereabouts.
Try not to worty, growth scans are quite common.

costacoffeecup · 28/12/2018 12:21

I've just had this - in fact over two weeks it seemed to have shrunk 1cm. Midwife couldn't have been less bothered, said he had probably moved round. I'm having growth scans every four weeks anyway so she was happy to wait for ten days for the next scan. I think it's really just an indication, majority of people referred for scans find everything is fine.

Laburna · 28/12/2018 12:49

Please try not to worry. There are loads of reasons why the measurements may not be accurate, or indeed why they haven't changed. There's a lot going on with baby, moving around, stretching and curling etc, FH can be hit and miss.

The growth scan will give a better idea of what your baby is up to, but again, it's only accurate to a certain point, and I know lots of people who have had dodgy FH and / or growth scans and baby has arrived at a weight completely different from anticipated, or where growth scans have showed baby is massive and growing well despite a small FH.

I know it's worrying when you're sent for growth scans, I'm one of the many people who've had a baby stop growing, we were monitored for 8 weeks and eventually induced at 36 weeks, after trying to get to 37! My DS was 4lb 14 in the end, though we did have a stay in SBCU and were monitored for his first year weight wise, he's doing fabulously, and although he's still skinny, there's nothing else different to other kids - he's 17months now!

Bigonesmallone3 · 28/12/2018 12:53

I wouldn't worry, Iv had this.. my bump actually stopped growing at 32 weeks.. but baby was fine, ended up being reduced water but they left baby in until 38 weeks

m4rdybum · 28/12/2018 16:33

I've been referred for two growth scans now (28 and 36 weeks) after showing static growth and slow growth of bump.

At my 36 week scan, we found out I'm actually having a baby over the 90th centile - baby is estimated to be 4.5kg at birth and I've had my induction date set for 41 weeks (hoping she comes earlier).

MIL is a retired midwife and didn't have much positive to say about bump measurements. She mentioned that it doesn't take into account show size (which can be an indicator of pelvis area) of which mine are massive, so little lady is probably all tucked up in there.

So in a nutshell; don't worry yourself. I don't think the bump measurements are a definitive guide.

GetHappy · 28/12/2018 17:49

Sorry to hear your so anxious but it’s only normal.

I wouldn’t worry too much, I know this has happened to me and quite a few people I know and nothing has come of it. Always be fine. Easy said then done OP but try not to stress and look on the bright side you’ll get to see baby again!

Was it same person measuring you? I just think everyone has different techniques if they were different people

Zamolochikova · 28/12/2018 18:34

SIL has had quite a few growth scans and is now booked in for an induction to have her baby early at 37 weeks. The doctors are confident that mum and baby will both be healthy and fine when he/she arrives, just that to be on the safe side it's best for baby to come early.

Try not to panic ThanksSmile

Littlefrog99 · 28/12/2018 18:53

I had a similar experience during my 1st pregnancy. My bump was measuring slightly over at every check then had 'lost' 3cm at 32wks. I had a growth scan the next day, baby was actually big for my dates and my bump had regained the lost cm's. The midwife said these things are usually due to how baby is laid.

BifsWif · 28/12/2018 18:55

Mine shrank over a couple of weeks two, my midwife wasn’t overly concerned around bump measurements and said it was likely he had changed position. He’s 9 now and full of attitude fine.

BifsWif · 28/12/2018 18:55

too*

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 28/12/2018 19:03

She mentioned that it doesn't take into account show size (which can be an indicator of pelvis area) of which mine are massive,

I don’t understand. What’s show size?

As everyone else has said, try not to worry. My bump growth slowed right down after 30 weeks and I had a growth scan at 33 weeks. Bump never got bigger than 37cm and DS was born at 8lb 12!

m4rdybum · 29/12/2018 07:59

What’s show size?

Sorry, my bad - didn't spot the typo.

Shoe size.

FrazzyAndFrumpled · 29/12/2018 11:19

Ooh I should have worked that out Grin to be fair, it would be a bit weird if the MW asked what size shoe you wore while measuring your bump Grin

Original poster
CobaltRose96 · 29/12/2018 11:25

@m4rdybum, hmm, that's interesting! I've got pretty big feet (size 8) and wide hips.

OP posts:
User12879923378 · 29/12/2018 12:02

My midwife told me that bump measurements are quite unreliable. It's nice to have an extra peek at the baby but I'm sure it'll just have moved round or something.

Yakadee · 29/12/2018 15:15

I got refered for a growth scan for the same reason and turns out it was just baby's position. She was a very healthy 4.8lbs at 31 weeks so will be around 9 and a half by due date if she follows same line.

My midwife said it can be a number of things and usually, it's nothing to worry about xx

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