Positive experiences needed - head measuring small (<1 percentile)

[Kath1989]

Hi everyone,

I know this is a medical thing but really just looking for some reassurance until I see my doctor next Tues. Am in the midst of a major panic spiral!

I'm 34 weeks + 6 days pregnant with my first baby, a little girl, and so far I've thankfully had a lovely pregnancy. Baby has been looking great in all her scans and at 22 weeks all measurements were fine and she was measuring on the smaller side of average, in the 30th percentile. However, I went for my third trimester scan yesterday and got an awful shock to learn that baby girl's head circumference is measuring 2 weeks and 1 day behind which puts her in the 1st percentile. I think that number is just so stark that it has scared me so badly that something serious is wrong. The ultrasound doc told me not to worry, that she's a little on the small side so to make sure I'm eating every 2.5 hours and don't be afraid to put on a few kilos, and to take my iron. He didn't mention follow up tests or another scan or anything. It's just that I can see the percentiles on the paperwork he gave me and I just can't help but be freaked out by the numbers.

I've read online that if baby's head is down it can be hard to get an accurate measurement this late on so I hope to god that's what it is. I would just love to hear that from a doctor however! My hubby and I both have pretty big heads I think so really don't think it's a case of us just being small people having a small baby...

Yikes. Has anyone been through this and baby turned out okay? I see my OB on Tuesday and just trying to tough it out until then and not panic too much. Am failing miserably as you can tell!!

[FudgeSundae]

Scans have a 25% margin of error so try not to worry! And if it does happen - My first was born below the first percentile in weight and she’s now a tall 75th percentile toddler with no issues at all.

[whutchison]

Hi, any updates? In the same boat and terrified.

[HayB]

Hi.
Sorry you’re going through this worry.
Slightly different situation but I was admitted to hospital at 28 weeks as routine scan for twins showed I was dilating / shortened cervix. Anyway whilst there I was scanned and the consultant said baby 1 had a small head (not sure on centile) and asked if I was sure on dates as (I was as ivf) and babies head was almost 2 weeks behind!

Another consultant didn’t seem that bothered as he said it’s all on average and some adults have larger heads, longer legs etc.

When born (only a week later!) her head didn’t seem that much smaller then her sisters really and now I would say hers I larger they are 3!

So please don’t think the worse, there is a average for a reason so they have something to go on and someone will always be the 1st and 99th!
Also if babies head is low that can cause it to measure smaller x

[whutchison]

@HayB Oh! I am in the same boat. Babes head is less than 2 weeks behind but not by much. lol So it was two weeks behind and shes been fine at birth and after? Two MFM specialists swear my babies head is fine but I am so worried.

I had a repeat scan a day later and they had the head only 5 days behind in the 15th percentile. SO weird.

[Roonerspismed]

My friend had this. All was fine. My first had this after she was born. Also fine.

Try not panic. Almost certainly ok. Is another scan being arranged?

[whutchison]

Your friend had babies head measuring 2 weeks behind? Yes, I have had two more scans with a specialist. Both got better numbers. the OFD and Cerebellum are always on time. Its just HC and BPD. BUT the second MFM got babies head in the 15 percentile and only 5-6 days behind. It is so so weird. They said when babies are breech for a really long time it changes the shape of their head and can throw measurements off. They have both said everything is fine. Still so stressed!

[Coachee]

I went through exactly this! I have a lovely 3 year old DD who has a totally normal head.

During a growth scan I was told DD’s head was below 3rd centile and that it was likely a problem (by a sonographer who should NEVER have said that). Both the consultant and fetal medicine said it was nothing to worry about but of course I freaked out and continued to worry throughout her first year that somehow there was going to be a problem discovered. I hate to think how many hours I spent googling small head issues.

My growth scans were so wrong. I was essentially told I was going to have an enormous baby with a tiny head. It sounds ridiculous but at the time I was absolutely beside myself that I’d have a child who was fundamentally out of proportion and with some sort of issue with their skull.

In the end I had the most beautiful 7lb2 perfect petite little girl.

I hope it turns out to be nothing to worry about for those worrying.

[Kath1989]

Wow reading my original post now, it just seems forever ago! My baby arrived two days early on March 25th at 6lbs 4oz. She’s absolutely perfect and her head was absolutely fine. I know it’s impossible not to worry but in my situation everything was just fine and I was entirely freaking out for weeks for no reason! Baby is 7 weeks now and doing great🤗 and has a totally normal head!!

[Macdo]

My two boys were both over 99th centile for head circumference. The only impact is they both need bigger sized hats. Someone has to be at 99th and someone has to be at 1st.

Good luck and I hope all goes well.

[Jp195]

Hi Kath,

I'm really happy for you. I'm going through a similar experience. How's the baby doing now? Xx

[georgarina]

So glad everything turned out well :) my baby's head has been <3rd since the 20 week scan and it is nerve wracking, I've got scans every 2 weeks but so far everything looks normal aside from her being very small.

[Mas05]

@georgarina Can you please update?