Low abdominal circumference 36w

[LaMadrilena]

I've had a really easy 1st pregnancy so far - nausea first trimester, then absolutely no issues, no aches and pains, eating and sleeping well. My blood sugar was a tiny bit raised but not enough for the doctor to put any treatment in place, just said to be careful with carbs.

Yesterday I had my 3rd trimester ultrasound, and the baby is measuring small overall, but especially abdominal circumference which is on the 11th percentile. They've booked me in for another scan in 3 weeks. I was already worried as I haven't put on any weight in more than a months, but the midwife said if I felt ok and movements were ok, then it was unlikely there was any issue.

From what I've seen online (bad idea, I know...) it could be a problem, or could be nothing.

I'm worried it's something I've done - too much exercise (gym twice a week still and walking a lot), not eating enough (I eat fine, but haven't felt the need to increase calorie intake during pregnancy), not taking enough vitamin D, being stressed...

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is there anything I can do differently the next 3 weeks to help her gain weight, without overdoing the carbs? Is it too late at this stage?

Sorry for waffling on. I'm looking at the pram and case seat and cot still in their boxes and imagining the worst...

(Worrying small) bump...

Easier said than done but please try not to worry...unless you're deliberately restricting calories it won't be anything that you've done.

My first pregnancy was like this...I felt great, carried on doing loads of exercise, ate healthily but not huge amounts and didn't put on loads of weight. Growth scan at 36 weeks showed baby was small, particularly abdominal circumference. My son was born overdue, below 10th centile but perfectly healthy and paeds were very happy with him.

Second pregnancy, I've exercised less, eaten more and felt generally less fit and healthy! This baby is measuring small too...

You'll probably find your body tells you to slow down a bit over the next few weeks anyway! The most important things you can do is keep an eye on baby's movements and get checked out straight away if you have any concerns.

Thanks for replying, Twisted! I've been back in the gym this morning and am now still totally exhausted, so that's the last session for me. The baby is ridiculously active, doesn't give me a minute's peace, so I suppose that's a good thing! Although the way I am at the moment I could get worried she's moving too much...

What do you mean by your blood sugars were a bit raised? Did you have a gestational diabetes test? Also how many weeks were you when you had that test?

On the initial 1h test my blood sugar was 140 mg/dl (cut-off 139). 1st long curve, 2nd reading 167 (cut-off 165), 1st and 3rd readings ok. 2nd long curve, 2nd reading 169, others ok. They said it definitely wasn't GD, just a mild intolerance. No treatment or specific instructions, just advice on carb intake. First test at 26 weeks, last at 31.

Hi, I have also just been given similar news at my 20 week scan. The body of my baby girl is measuring in the 34th percentile but her abdominal circumference in the 12th percentile. I’ve come away feeling pretty worried, although have no information as of yet about any specific outcomes from these findings.

@HM698 and @LaMadrilena —- can you please let me know how the baby size and overall health is now and at what week did the docs get the baby out , did both of you complete ur full term or had to get baby out early, my case AC is low in 5th percentile , rest all ratios good , am in week 38 , 3KG baby weight

Hi @Blessing99 ! Of course! On my final scan they said baby's weight had caught up to where it was supposed to be. She was finally born at 40+6 and 2.8kg (6lb 3oz), so somewhere in between the estimates. A little on the small side considering both her parents are tall, but perfectly healthy. Straightforward vaginal birth.

The only health issues she's had are the normal nursery viruses. I had a bit of a hard time breastfeeding the first few months, as she was never off the breast. Various causes were suggested - small baby catching up weight, hot summer, that's just how some babies are - but there was never a specific problem diagnosed other than a slight tongue-tie which they didn't consider worth treating,so nothing to do with her pre-birth measurements. We're just getting her onto solids

She was walking at 12m, says a couple of words, and it's taken me half an hour to write this post as she keeps bringing me books to read. She's perfect in every way!

If your baby's measurements were indicative of a specific problem, you'd probably be getting extra checks. If that's not the case, try not to worry. Yes, I'm a total hypocrite! But honestly, some of the measurements such as abdominal and cranial circumferences are notoriously inaccurate. Talk to your Dr or midwife if you're worried.

I hope you manage to enjoy your last couple of weeks! So exciting!

@LaMadrilena — thanx a ton for the detailed reply !! So its good that you did complete the term cause in my case , yesterday when my doc checked she said cervix is still not dilated and i am showing no signs of labour so she told my 27th of this month to go to hospital and get an induced labor and get the baby out , the only reason she wrote on the prescription to hospital was “Low AC ratio” and GBS +ve , And I am new to this country so I was confused and tensed a lot !!

No problem! You probably already know (not clear from your post) but GBS +ve means you have a certain type of bacteria in your body which isn't affecting you but could be transmitted to your baby in labour, so they'll want to make sure you give birth in hospital in controlled conditions. It's a small risk though. Have a look at www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/what-are-the-risks-of-group-b-streptococcus-infection-during-pregnancy/ and talk to your midwife/doctor. Hope all goes well!

I'm currently going through this, and I am certain it happened to my DD when I was pregnant. I'm not a big person, only 5'2, my DD was early at 35 weeks, but had a lot of breathing and eating issues when born (very typical of a FGR baby), she was under 5lbs at birth, now very healthy 2 years on. I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant and at my 20 week scan they couldn't have been happier, at 32 weeks I went for a routine scan and ended up admitted to the hospital as he was suddenly less than 4% growth. The doctor said that the most likely culprit is a placenta issue where the nutrients aren't passing, and that my body likely stops passing them at some point in the 3rd trimester, it probably happened with my first pregnancy too, we just didn't catch it. They have been very clear that as long as I aren't drinking, taking drugs or smoking in pregnancy, it is not my fault (none of those apply). I am trying to drink a lot of water, eat protein and sleep, but the doctors say even doing those won't grow the baby, but i'll do it anyway as doing nothing is driving me crazy. The good news is that you are 36 weeks, and almost full term. If they have any concerns, they can and will get your little one out next week. I was also told to keep up a moderate level of activity, and that they don't recommend bedrest in this situation. Please don't blame yourself. Right now it is just important that your baby is being monitored. Sending a hand hold x