32+3 small baby on scan. Very worried

[batteriesgoing]

I went for a scan today at 32+3 and they said baby was measuring 4lb 1. I thought this sounded about right but they said because of my height this is below tenth centile. They then hooked me up to a monitor for an hour to check heartbeat. They couldn't get a proper reading because baby kept moving away from it so had to go back for another hour. Given the all clear to go but they then said because baby is small I have to have twice weekly monitoring and once a week scans. I'm very concerned here. Anybody else had this? I'm grateful they're vigilant but I'm stressing out over here

Have you had any other scans since your 20 week one? I've had 3 babies below the 10th centile, all were monitored and had growth scans, nothing wrong just small babies. Monitoring is done for small babies just in case anything is causing slow growth but doesn't mean there is definitely something wrong.

Hey OP, sounds like you are getting some great care there, I’m surprised with the once a week scans as my nhs trust said they couldn’t do more frequently than 2 weeks as its hard to measure on growth scans if they are closer.

My DD was born 0.04th centile and my DS (my 1st was 2nd-9th centile). I was monitored heavily with both. My DD (2nd) was a planned induction at 37 +5 but came a few days earlier as I had a sweep. She was planned induction as her growth tailed off, she had been 10th centile until 34 weeks then started to fall in growth.

The thing I felt the most reassured with was the level of care I got, frequent scans (every 2 weeks) and so consultant every week /2 weeks.

My DD is 13 months and a dinky thing still. My DS is 5 and just slim.

One thing that helped was buying some tiny baby clothes for both. Did was 5lb8 and in them for about a month, Ds at full term was 6lb and in them for around the same, so deffo a good investment!

@Bluebelltulip I just had the 20 week scan and then this one today. They did check the placenta and umbilical cord and said these were ok

Had 4 scans which predicted a 4-5lb small baby

He was nearly 9lb

Take the scans with a pinch of salt

@Changedmynameagain1 they said that they wouldn't check the weight at the next scan just the placenta and fluid and then the one after that they'd check the size of baby. I do feel like it's a bit worrying. I'm 5ft 10 and dh is 6ft 3 ish. Why would she be little unless there's something wrong?

I asked about if you had other scans as there was a sense of panick when DC1 was found to be small at a similar gestation as they didn't know if growth had suddenly dropped or if she had dropped centiles gradually. The following growth scans showed she was just small, for my subsequent babies growth scans were started earlier and again it was clear that they just grew slower. Being small doesn't mean there is anything wrong and try to take reassurance that the monitoring is there so they can spot if something is causing it.

My best friend was the same, gave birth to a healthy 8lb baby girl. The good thing is you're having lots of checks, try not to worry although easier said than done

That doesn't seem particularly small for 32 weeks, but they know best I guess. I can see why you're worried but I honestly don't think this is something to worry unduly about if placenta etc is fine. The predicted weight from growth scans is notoriously patchy. I had growth scans with my youngest every few weeks between 32 and 38 as my bump measurements were low or something, and he came out at eight pounds at 39weeks, no probs at all.

Babies come in all sizes. Some are on the 0.1 centile and some on the 99.9 centile. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them.

But good to be regularly monitored. Mine was enormous at the 20 week scan so I had fortnightly scans and GD tests to check all was well. It's a worry whatever their size!

Ahh yes so I had that @batteriesgoing a Doppler one week and growth the next.

Babies come in all shapes and sizes, I am 5ft 8 and Hubbie is around 6ft- we just have small babies!

As long as your DC follows their centile and doesn’t drop and Doppler flow is fine then there is nothing to worry about! I had a planned induction as although Doppler was fine her growth tailed off, better out than in!
Your DC weight so far sounds really good, and sounds like you are getting some really good care.

I had a growth scan at 39 weeks and they said I needed to be induced the next day as baby was very small and was safest to get baby out, little over 36 hours later, I delivered a happy healthy 6lbs 3 oz baby girl with 0 health concerns. They like to go on the side of caution. It is scary but try not to stress yourself out as this will only ever make things worse not better. Just remember, babies have gone on to be happy and healthy when born smaller than your little ones is currently. 🤞 for you and baba!

Some baby's are just small for no reason, my first DS was apparently small at 6lb12 (I dont think that's too small but the doctors said he was. DS2 was born weighing 5lb4 at 39 weeks, he was fine and soon put on weight. He's 4 months old now and still quite small and doesn't have much chub but he's very long.

@batteriesgoing I'm currently 32 + 5 and have my 3rd growth scan on Friday. My first was at 28 weeks. My little one is a tiny bit below 3rd centile. I know exactly how you're feeling as I've been through all the panic etc. The good thing is they're keeping an eye on us. The main thing is that baby follows the curve on the growth chart. So for my baby they've been happy so far as she has followed 3rd centile for 2 consecutive scans. But they keep a close eye because if the growth starts to slow down then they will consider getting baby out a bit earlier x

I didn’t think the baby’s estimated weight had anything to do with the mother’s height?!
I had a growth scan at 33 weeks and baby was estimated 4lb6 which they told me was bang on average. Tummy was small though which triggered another growth scan and at 39 weeks now all seems to be ok.
Sounds like you’re being well looked after and enjoy getting to see your baby lots on the extra scans x

@theresaplaceforus I might be wrong but I think the growth charts are personalised. Mine has my height and BMI on the chart as if it's a personalised growth chart for the growth they expect based on someone of my height and weight x

I'm 5ft 8" and DH is 6ft and my DSs only barely touched 6lb fully term. They were both only 46cm long.

My sister is 5ft 9" and her baby girl was 5lb 13oz.

Despite all of us being pretty tall, we were all 6lb babies.

I understand your concerns though, DS2 was almost delivered at 30weeks and I was terrified because he was measuring around 2 1/2 pounds.

As long as the track is an upward curve (no matter where on the centiles), it's good news.

@Bluebell2020 yes that's what I've been told. It's based on your height and weight. It does seem to be a bit odd though as lots of small women I know have had big babies. My first was only 7lb 1 which I would think this one is on track for similar and nobody said anything then when I had a scan.

@batteriesgoing I think no matter what the predicted weight is if it falls below the 10th centile on your graph you immediately get extra scans and monitoring. The other thing is it also depends what measurements are making baby on the smaller side and for example if it's one measurement that's significantly behind the other two etc. I think in the majority of cases these babies are born completely healthy but just a little on the small side... some even at a completely average or even big size! But there are the very few minority of cases where baby does stop growing or starts to struggle and it's much better to get them out earlier. Having regular checks is terrifying no matter what anyone says. It's my first baby and no matter how much anyone says it'll be fine and don't worry etc I do. Especially before going in for the scan. We're hoping our little one has reached the 4lbs mark on Friday 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Hello OP. I had growth scans due to being diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was diet controlled.
She was measuring 3lb at 30 weeks. Then I had to go in for weekly scans one week it was a Doppler scab to check fluid around baby and blood flow to the cord and alternate week growth scans.
Everything showed she was ok but measured small. At 36 weeks she was still under there 10th centile and advised I was induced as they weren't sure if it was due to my placenta.
She was born at 37+6 weighing 5lb 7oz.
Perfectly healthy. She never lost weight after birth and she fed well. Due to her not loosing weight they said it was probably a sign of my placenta not functioning properly. She's now following just under the 50th centile.
It sounds like they are monitoring you closely OP. Hope the rest of you pregnancy goes ok! Xxx

@batteriesgoing I had my scan on Tuesday 32weeks 3 days also and was measuring 4lb 2 and they were happy with that. Reason for the scan was my placenta but they still checked it. I had a scan at 29 weeks and the baby then was 2lb something (she said it in kg so I can't remember exactly). My mum had 3 children i was 8lb 6 my brother was 9lb 2 and then my little (now taller than me) sister was only 7lb, my mum is tall too, so there can be huge variation between babies. Plus my friend was told her baby was really big and sectioned early due to it only to be just over 7lb (they thought she was nearly 10lb). Once the baby is growing at a normal rate I'm sure everything will be fine. I'm not being checked again for growth but think it is great that they are monitoring you and keeping an eye on it. Hope everything works out.

I didn't know they based the centile chart off the parent's sizes.

I had a scan at 32 weeks (last week) and my baby is only a few oz bigger than yours at 4lb 9oz, and he/she is showing as just over 50th centile. My DP is 6ft 3 and I'm 5ft 4. I wouldn't worry tbh.

Thanks everyone for your posts. Passed a bit of a sleepless night but having a nap today on the sofa to make up for it. Got to go back into hospital tomorrow for monitoring so I'll update.

@batteriesgoing Hope all goes well at your check up tomorrow. Please do keep us updated! It'll be interesting to know how your hospital progresses with it as every hospital is different and we seem in quite similar positions. I've got a scan tomorrow so will let you know what they say at mine. I'm also 5 foot 10 so our expected growth projections are probably similar! x

@Bluebell2020 good luck! Yes I'll let you know. I'm in tomorrow but only for hb monitoring

I had a private growth scan yestoday at 33+4 weeks and was told he weighs 4.1lbs which is just under the average line and his legs are on the short side but not to worry as he's not below the 'too small' line, he's just a small baby which doesn't supprise me with the amount of sickness I've had throughout and me and partner are both short! Were buying his 'first outfit' in tiny baby size