Baby measuring on the 5th percentile @25 weeks. Should I be worried?

[Wherehasitgone]

Sonographer did seem concerned and has referred me back to the hospital. Probably won’t see anyone until after Christmas but now I’m stressing

Not necessarily. 5% is the figure the use for extra checks - one of the concerns is fetal growth restriction. Consultant said to me “we have to have a cut off and it is 5%”. I understand in the US cut off is 10%. It really doesn’t mean there is necessarily anything wrong. Sometimes very small size or a drop down the centile chart is an indicator of an issue. Sometimes baby is just small and that’s ok. 5% is still in the normal range. It’s hard not to worry but don’t get too fixated on a single scan result as there is a margin or error snd babies don’t grow at an exactly linear rate.

FWIW I’m on the 6th centile for height and as far as I know I’m perfectly fine save that I can never find trousers that fit!

At my 20 week scan baby was actually measuring on the 3rd percentile and they didn’t even mention anything! I just read it on the paperwork after. It’s just this woman today has me a bit concerned! But although it’s only a 2% improvement that’s better than nothing surely?!?

Are you and your DH on the small side? If so then it's likely very normal.

Both mine were less than 5th centile and both happy healthy albeit little things. Mine always measured small I think they tend to worry more if there is a sudden drop. Mine was linked to low Papp-A hormone which was picked up at 12 week scan. In all likelihood they’ll do another scan and arrange to do a blood flow scan of the placenta as well, all being well you’ll probably have regular growth scans going forward.

Unfortunately not. I’m 5ft 7, he’s 6ft. We already have one dd who was totally average (born weighing 7 pounds) so this is completely shocked me! I was very poorly with morning sickness and so have only gained 1kg so far. I know this doesn’t have an effect really but just worried it’s something to do with my placenta!

Hi @Wherehasitgone. At my 20 week scan baby was under 5th percentile. I was referred to fetal medicine and have had scans every 2-3 weeks. Has increased to 11th percentile and have another scan tomorrow. They can't see anything wrong so hopefully just a small baby. My first was 9lbs so this is why I am being scanned regularly. It's stressful but nice to keep an eye on baby. Have you got a date for your next scan?

@Cherylinaa gosh I’m shocked about that. Baby was measuring on the 3rd percentile at my 20 week scan and nothing was mentioned to me! It was a private scan I went to today and she referred me straight back to the hospital where I’ll now be scanned by a consultant doctor hopefully soon! My next scan originally wasn’t booked until 36 weeks. I’m feeling so anxious about it now. Spending too much time reading google

I think when the midwife starts measuring your bump at 28 weeks, if you are still measuring small - might be less than the 5th percentile or less than 3rd percentile based on your Trust, then you’ll get a growth scan.