Talk to me about babies measuring small!

[Kickykickykickkick]

I’m almost 36 weeks and my baby has always been measuring behind. Usually 1-2 weeks but their growth has been consistent.

I’m worried about low birth weight and if they are going to be short like me I hate my height but my DH is 6ft1 so at least he’s not short.

Can babies measuring behind catch up and end up average height or above later on?

I’m aware this is totally irrational

My son was measuring small , I had had three growth scans by the time he was born.

He was born at 42 weeks weighing in at 6lb 10 and in perfect health. He then went on to gain weight furiously and is now a big boy and built like his tall Dad. I just make small babies became I'm small myself.

My DD2 was measuring consistently 2 weeks behind from around 16 weeks. Couldn’t come up with a reason, placenta was fine and nothing else going on other than that I had HG, but I had that with DD1 who was never measuring anything less than spot on. Anyway, in the end she was 6lb 8oz and 21 inches in length, in contrast to her older sister who was 7lb 5oz and 20 inches. Really not that dramatic a size difference. Both now have been similar (normal when compared to other kids in the playground) sizes at the same ages although DD2 has been consistently a bit taller than her contemporaries. Try not to stress: I know that easier said than done. It’s really not an exact science.

Because

My dd measured under the 10th centile right up until 38 weeks when she went just a whisper over the 10th centile. She was born weighing 6lb11oz, so small but not worryingly so. She's 3 now and average weight and tall for her age, noticeablytaller than other 3 year olds. Me and dp are both around 5ft 6/7.

I was consistently measuring small. Was told to expect a 6lb baby but DD was actually 7lb1 I hear they often get it wrong

My dc2 was always having extra scans as my bump always measured small, eventually they induced me as they thought he wasn’t growing he was born two days early and was 7.14 so not exactly small. I wouldn’t worry to much about measurements they can never be 100% sure.

My understanding has always been that birth weight is mainly determined by your size, so if you are small I'd expect you to have smaller babies. You may find your baby crossing centiles upwards a bit in the first few months - or maybe not.
(8 and 9lb babies in my case - but I'm almost 6 ft and went to 42/40 with both of them).

I’ve had two babies with inter uterine growth restriction. One weighed 2lbs. One weighed 3lbs. Both have never ever been on that red chart

Health wise. They are 100%. Both super happy. I remember one dr telling me my daughter would only make 5”1. I was like. And?!? Unless it’s a boy. There no real harm in tiny babies. You get all the best hand me downs from friends!!! Shoes last for ages!!!! People comment how beautifully doll like they are.

Honesty. Mine were WAY WAY smaller than they even imagined. Though I was told that my eldest measured 5 weeks ahead. Load of total bollocks that measuring crap!! And they’ve turned out absolutely perfect. In every single way. We did see an endo at one point. But I wasn’t worried.

Both girls on exact par now. Slightly smaller and thinner than their counter parts. But. Nothing noticeable.

I’m quite small. Size 4 till I was 30. I’m 5’4. Husband is 5’11 and has the same waist size as me! Super skinny. (I’m not a size 4 anymore. I’m a size 10)

Both our mothers were put through hell when we were growing up. They weren’t feeding us. Etc.

I’d also like to add. I had horrific pregnancy issues. I very nearly died both times. That what’s caused mine. But genetically. My and his family are small. No female in my family is over a size 8-10. None are taller than 5’6

As someone said. It’s mainly genetic. Unless there’s blood flow problems (like mine. But mine was also genetic!)

When it comes to scans. The stomach is the first to show stopping of growth. The head the last. There’s a order. It’s increinly clever. I had high risk consultant who was one of the best drs I’ve ever ever come across. I see him as almost a god. He explained it all. It takes weeks too. It’s not instant.

They told me each time they were measuring more than a lb heavier than they came out, they were still big babies but not as they thought. My sister also had a section as baby looked so big and she was but again a few lbs smaller than they guessed. I don't think it's accurate but also if the growth is consistent surely that's a positive. X

I really wouldn't worry about 1-2 weeks behind OP, unless you've been referred to fetal medicine for further investigation for something like IUGR?

My DD was born on the 2nd percentile for weight and in my current pregnancy I'm having growth issues too. Some babies are just smaller than others.

My daughter was diagnosed with IUGR and born just under 10th centile. She settled around the 50th after a few months and is now a petite healthy toddler.

Same as a pp, I think if baby is small but growing consistently then that is a great sign.

I have read that most 'small' babies catch up over the first 2 years, try not to panic!

I have an IGUR baby (born 4lbs 1oz at 38 weeks). They only realised I was measuring small in the last few weeks and estimated the 10th centile when in fact he was below the 0.4th. Been slow to grow since birth and is completely off the chart now. Had some complications at first and has had lots of tests etc but fingers crossed at 4 months (8lbs 8oz) he seems to be doing well developmentally. His Consultant reckons he should eventually catch up but could take some time. Our NHS trust doesn't measure length any more but he looks quite long for his size so will hopefully be tall. His dad is 6.3ft and I'm 5ft 5.

My daughter was IUGR so lots of growth scans from about 30 weeks, I then had her by elective c section at 36 weeks as my consultant was worried that the growth rate had slowed too much. She was 4lbs 4 at birth. My placenta was rubbish so not giving her what she needed. She was tiny but gained weight well. It’s hard not to obsess about weight gain in those early weeks and months but she caught up and now she’s 4 you wouldn’t know her apart from her peers. She’s slim but average height.

Try not to worry. Your baby’s height will be determined by genetics and you have no control over them. Low birth weight doesn’t necessarily mean tiny forever!

Wishing you a safe delivery, enjoy your baby 💐

All 3 of my children have measured small on scans from 28 weeks. All were born small for gestational age. Dc1 was 5lb 2oz, dc2 was 5lb, and dc3 was 4lb 10oz. I was induced for tailing growth with dc3 as she gained little from 34 weeks. They were always skinny babies and still are, they are tall in comparison to others I am 5ft6 and dad is 6ft 3. None of them ever measured above the 9th centile for weight, dc3 is still following that at 18mths.

As far as I remember, there weren't any concerns about DS in utero but he was on the 3rd centile at birth. When he was 1 and starting swimming classes I was at the GPs in tears as he could only fit in Mothercare 0-3 months swimming trunks. Cue for 3 monthly weighing and measuring by HV. When he 2 , we were told that he would be a maximum of 5'2" and did we want a referral to GOS for discussion about growth hormones? We decided against it. 20+ years later he is 5'11" - admittedly skinny ( wears 36" slimfit suits) but works out in the gym so good physique. He was on the short size until he was about 16.