Smaller baby in 35 weeks scan

[GerganaM]

Hi all,

I have just had my 35 weeks scan and they said last time I had a scan baby has grown bigger but this time hasn't grown that much, neither my belly has grown that much and baby and my belly were slightly below average. They gave me another scan in 3 weeks to check again and if baby hasn't grown a lot by then, they want to make me give birth.

Baby is active and I think eating ok as he/she has hicupps all the time but I can't help it and I am worried now if everything is ok with my baby. Everything else seemed fine they said just the baby is 5 pounds when is meant to be 5.5 or something like that. I feel really down after that scan and I just need to hear something more positive.

Any thoughts or sharing something from personal experience would be highly appreciated

In 3 weeks your baby will be term.

The latest research shows that there is no increased rate of caesarean or instrumental birth with induction of labour.

One of the things they often find in sad cases is that the baby wasnt growing well and it wasn't detected so it is positive that they are aware there might be a problem.

I've known of babies who seemed to stall in growth for a few weeks before rapidly catching up so there is a chance all will appear normal in three weeks.

Wanted to reply as I’ve been in your shoes. I had a growth scan (ironically because my fundal height was showing a big baby 😂) only to be told my baby was too small. Had a further two scans and each time told baby was growing but below the lowest centile line. The hospital advised I be induced at 37 weeks, technically term, and DD arrived safe and sound without need of any instruments. She only weighed 5lbs but she was perfectly healthy otherwise and we were out of hospital the following afternoon! Once home and feeding DD gained weight like a champ, she’s 3 in June and hitting all her milestones.

I know all too well the worry these growth scans can evoke so you have my sympathy 💐 but wanted to share my story as it’s a positive one! Hang in there, OP.

My baby is 5.5 lbs at 36 week scan (25%) and the sonographer wasn’t concerned and didn’t offer me any more scans? Now I’m worried they aren’t monitoring closely enough...anyone have any thoughts on this?

Hi milknapplayrepeat, thank you very much for nice and comforting words 🙂 I am glad little girl is happy and a healthy child now.

sadtoday21, I am sure your baby is fine if they didn't say anything, mine was something to do with their charts about abdominal growth and velocity something like that more than the weight itself but they told me I need to wait and see if baby gets bigger in the next 3 weeks. I wish you and your baby all the best, I am sure it's perfect of they didn't say anything.

Thank you to everyone for responding.

I had a very similar situation except that the lack of growth was picked up at 28 weeks in which I then had to have fortnightly growth scans. He had gone as low as the 6th centile, at 35 weeks he was on 13th centile and estimated to be 4lbs 7. It was decided to have him no later than 37 weeks, as he was breech we had a planned csection. 6 days before the delivery we had another scan at 36+5 and he was estimated at 5lbs 10. As he was small, I had to had two steriod injections 48 hours apart 2 days before delivery to mature his lungs. When he was born he was 6lbs 6 and was small but perfect.
Hes now 3 weeks old and is an incredibly hungry baby and gaining a healthy weight .

I really wouldn't worry ( easier said than done, cause I did nothing but worry) your in safe hands and it's good that you are getting closely monitored. Just because baby is measuring small doesnt mean anything is wrong, it could be a number of reason such as you and/or partner being small build, being small babies yourselves and lastly scan error (surprisingly common to babies to be estimated at wrong weight).

If you have any questions at all please ask. Good luck !!

My first measured small from 20 week scan onwards. I was re-scanned fortnightly from then on amid concerns over growth - particularly head circumference. I resisted induction, and baby was eventually born at 41+3 weighing 9lb 3oz and 22" long. All that stress for nothing. Baby now approaching teens, happy, bright and healthy.