Small for Gestational Age at 32 weeks - any experiences?

[yoomoo]

Hi all,

Just looking for anyone with similar experiences to try and get an idea of what might happen next, I’m having regular growth scans due to my BMI meaning fundal measurements can’t be used. 28 week scan was fine, baby measuring slightly small but just above 10th centile. Mainly abdominal circumference and weight, legs and head totally normal.
Had another scan last week at 32w and baby’s growth had dropped to below 3rd centile, met with consultant who said everything else is looking fine in terms of the placenta and cord blood flows- he might just be a small baby but need another scan at 34w to see where he’s at. Looking at the measurements again head and leg measurements are 50th centile but his abdominal circumference and weight are both right down the other end so I guess that’s what is pulling down the overall centile to below the 3rd.
Estimated weight is 3lbs 8oz but I was expecting him to be over 4lbs by now.

Just looking for anyone else who’s experienced similar, my hospitals policy seems to be that if baby remains below 3rd centile then he will need to be born at 37w. I’m really hoping he has a big growth spurt over the next 11 days before scan but want to be prepared for what they might say. Consultant did mention steroids would be given to strengthen his lungs before delivery (ELCS)

Sorry for the rambling!

Thank you

My baby was small for gestational age, I was having growth scans because I had gestational diabetes (it can cause small babies as well) at 30+5 she was 3lb and at 34+6 weeks she was measuring 4lb 4oz and at 36+6 she measured at 5lb 3oz.
I had Doppler scans weekly in between to check the placenta and all looked ok with that.
I was induced due to SGA caused by IUGR and they said she was better out than in due to it!
So she came at 37+6 weighing 5lb 7oz and was on the 2nd centile. She quickly jumped up to the 25th and now stays around the 50th centile at 17 months.
They said due to her weight not dropping when she was born (she was a hungry baby) it showed that it was something to do with my placenta.

Were you already having an ELCS prior to this? As I know prior to 38 weeks they have to give you steroids. If it's a vaginal birth they don't.

Thanks for the reply @Metallicalover I had no idea GD could cause small babies, they only ever talk about it causing big babies at my midwife appts. I have tested negative for that thankfully. My consultant hinted that after my next scan they will make a decision as to whether it’s better to get him out than leave him in there. Glad to hear your little one has shot up the centiles since being born.
Yes I had opted for an ELCS for other reasons, the consultant agreed it immediately despite registrar being hesitant. I think with the SGA and when I explained my reasons he could tell I wasn’t going to be swayed!

I’m not due to finish work until 12th Feb as I was assuming I’d have a section around 39w on 17th Feb but that was before SGA so will have to see what they are thinking at my next appointment!

I was told my baby was measuring small and obsessed over it even though consultant told me like you there was nothing wrong with placenta or anything else. He was born perfect at 7lb and something. Try not to worry.

I have a SGA baby at 36+5 she was estimated 5lb something. They did fundal measurement yesterday and I'm measuring 33 weeks at 38+2 they said that because I'm already in hospital (low lying placenta so had to be admitted) and being monitored and my c section is booked for tomorrow they aren't concerned otherwise they would have been.

I am smaller compared to my other 2 , they were 8lb 11oz and 7lb 2oz . And I feel her moving alot more than I did my others probably cause she has more room to move.

Try not to worry, they should keep an eye on you.

Thanks for the reply @Miriam101 I think there is a difference between being a bit small and SGA though where baby’s growth drops significantly for an unknown reason. In my case the drop from 10th to below 3rd is a big concern, if he’d stayed on the 10th then he would just me small at birth but the fact he’s dropped is the issue. I just want him here safely so being very vigilant with movements.

Good luck @StaceImpactWfan I hope your c-section goes well and your little one arrives bigger than expected, it’s all such a scary time but it sounds like you are being very well cared for. If you can let us know that all is well when you can would love to hear your news

@yoomoo of course, hoping she's at least 6lb something but bigger would be better, i had steroids last week too so hopefully she won't need much help if any. Fingers crossed she stays til tomorrow... been getting the odd pain here and there since last night.

Hi @yoomoo, I’m currently going through the same thing with my second baby (first baby was also SGA/IUGR) and it was picked up that he was around 5th centile at 32 weeks, I have another scan at 34 weeks too so very similar. There’s another thread at the moment where a few of us are going through this which you might like to join, see link here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/4089039-Experiences-with-pregnancy-after-IUGR?msgid=102092605

I have the same as you with the reduced abdominal measurement, which is quite common in this sort of scenario as all the growth is happening in the brain and keeping the baby growing, so they can get a bit skinny! The main thing is that it’s being picked up and you can now be monitored with a plan in place.

My first was small, 6.5 at 40 weeks. The midwives had a chart that mapped mother's height to baby weight and so I had to have monitoring frequently with my second, I'm sure it was after 6 months it went to fortnightly scans.
I ended up with a ELCS at 37 weeks, weight 6lb. Baby totally fine. The docs said I just have small babies.

Ooo @StaceImpactWfan sounds like little one might be making plans for her own removal! Wishing you a lovely c-section experience and cuddles straight away

Thank you @Corilee2806 I will come and join you ladies over there, that makes sense about his tummy measurement and head being ok- that makes me feel better. Of course you do google a lot and from what I’ve read small tummy does indicate a potential problem with placenta that they can’t perhaps see on a scan.

Thank you @FitzChivalry hoping that he is just small, that’s what is worrying me about an early delivery that he will be even smaller but I will be lucky to get to 37w some aren’t as lucky!