Fundal height 4wks behind and growth scan tomorrow - could it be nothing?

[skidaddle]

I am 37+2 and my fundal height is 33cm. I was measuring 31cm at 29 weeks which means I have only gone up 2cm in 8 weeks. The mw has sent me for a growth scan tomorrow.

I know some babies are just small and fundal height is a notoriously unreliable measure but this is my second baby and DD was 8lb5 and I always measured a bit bigger than my dates, same for this pg until 32 weeks when growth seemed to massively slow down. This baby is a boy and as a 2nd pg as well I thought he would be bigger if anything.

I am driving myself insane thinking of all the things it could be - does anyone have any advice/experiences that will make me feel better? Could this just be a perfectly healthy small baby? Thank you

bumping this for you -I'm sure someone had a similar problem on here not too long ago and on second scan was found to be ok..have you done a search?

thanks poppy - have just done a search and see that fundal height is almost meaningless it's so unreliable but also see that measuring small has led to a lot of inductions so not sure whether to be relieved or panic more...

my fundal height went up and down with dd2, and this one is measuring at 2 weeks behind (20 instead 0f 22) its prob just a bit smaller, my dd2 was 7lb5 and i was 3 cm behind at one point and theres lots of stories on here from people who were told they were having small babies and had normal/huge ones. hope your scan goes well

my fundal height went up and down too. It varies especially if differenct midwives measure it. It is only an extremely rough guide to how big your baby will be. I hope the scan will put your mind at rest - best of luck. Both my bumps were small and I had a 7lb 10 baby and a 6lb 9oz baby - so average really!

here's a link to a recent post

I posted on that one too but it could definately be nothing and your midwife has done the right thing to get a scan to re-assure you.

I had this on and off throughout my last pregnancy.

Best of luck for tomorrow

My sisters second baby was smaller than her first, even though her gestation time was 7 days longer.

A mw measured my fundal height 3 times at the same appointment, there was 3cm difference between the measurements - ie not an accurate method of measuring a babys size, just a guide.

The scan will put your mind at rest.

hi
I had the opposite problem. Fundal height for ds was always couple of weeks in advance and when he was born 15days over he was 9lb1. Both dds fundal height measured 4 weeks over and had a growth scan with them both and was told they would be 10lb plus babies at term..they were both 6lb14 when born. My friend had a growth scan due to small fundal height and was told her dd was too small and they wanted to induce, she refused and her dd was born 3 days over and was 7lb2.

I agree with Skidaddle - some midwives don't even use it as a measure any more. The midwife I had with DS1 didn't. It all depends on where you put the tape measure. With DS2 I did have it measured and the bump came up small at 33ish weeks, with the threat of referral if it hadn't grown in 2 weeks and it was fine. He was 9lbs at birth.

Have a scan for reassurance but it will probably be fine. Maybe you do have a smaller than average baby, maybe you don't but it can still be perfectly healthy no matter what size it is.

I hope it is all OK for you.

thanks elfsmummy - that thread is really reassuring, hopefully I will have the same result. off for scan now, fingers crossed

OK thanks everyone, feeling almost calm now

hi

I've had a very similar situation this week. I was 36 weeks last friday and only measuring 32 so was sent to consultant on Monday, he measure even less at 31 so was worried because this was the same as 6 weeks ago. Couldn't get a scan until yesterday so I've had an unbearable week thinking allsorts. Went for scan yesterday and everything is perfect. His measurements are fab and his weight is estimated at 5lb11 at the minute, let us know how it goes but sure all will be fine - best to get checked though x

I never had my fundal height measured at all when I was pg. Is it done as routine in most areas?

I'm sure everyting will be fine - lots of positive stories here

I always found different midwives got different measurements. With my first at 25 weeks my measurement was too big, dont know by how much, the midwife she she thought they had missed a twin at my scans so I was rescanned and just one baby there that was normal. He was born on his due date and weighed 8.7. My sil was small and the scan confirmed the baby was small so she was induced at 37 weeks, but her and baby perfectly well

i was the same, it depends alot on what way the baby is lying at the time of measuring. if they are lying low in the pelvis or transverse.

Hi,

Just back from my scan and everything is absolutely fine - baby is estimated to weigh 7lb7 at 37 weeks in fact so if anything he is quite big! Feel a bit embarrassed about getting myself into such a panic now but I suppose it's inevitable when there's a possible problem with your baby.

Anyway thanks everyone, glad you had good news as well kelbel, and good old mn as ever

don't feel embarrassed at all, i was like a zombie this week, waiting for scan - it's only natural when someone tells you something isn't spot on with the little one. I'm 37 weeks tomorrow so looks like we're racing each other to the finish line, good luck hun x

thanks kelbel - good luck to you too - look forward to reading your birth announcement/online labouring!

glad all ok