Baby measuring v. small at 30wks and early deliveries

[Hyggeandhugs]

Had an NHS growth scan at 27+6 which said 2lb2oz and 10th percentile. Problem was I was scanned by a student and so we booked a private scan for two days later to double check.

Private scan said 2lb9oz and 36th percentile... we were so happy! Then doubt set in and we asked if they'd double check and sure enough their lead sonographer said the measurements didn't look accurate.

Today I had a free rescan at the private clinic and at now 29+5 they say my little girl is only 2lb10oz and so 5th percentile. I'm devastated (and yes I've definitely learnt my lesson to not have private scans)!

Fortunately no scans so far have seen any issues with placenta or fluid, but I'm still terrified. NHS growth scan tmw.

My question is, have any of you got any experience or have such a small baby and making it all the way to 39+ weeks? My CS is booked for 39+1. Nothing I read seems to suggest they stay cooking beyond about 37 weeks.

I'm moving on Thursday so have bought nothing so far except a couple of (probably too big sleepsuits), but literally nothing else. But now I'm so torn between not wanting to buy anything so that I don't tempt fate, and feeling I should basically get fully prepared for an early arrival within a few weeks

My 3rd measured 5th centile the whole way through from 28 weeks, as she didn't tail off at all they were happy to keep her in to 37 weeks but no longer than that. They scanned me weekly, one week was just a placenta blood flow one and the other week was to measure growth as they need 2 weeks between for growth. Do you have any NHS appointments coming up with Consultant?

DD2 was small, I measured 10 weeks behind and then had a possible waters leak. Was scanned at 30wks, admitted to hospital at 32wks had steroid injections (that was due to the ?waters leak) scanned again and although she was still showing small placenta etc all fine. I was monitored every week and scanned every 2wks. I delivered at 39+2 via induction and she was born at 5lb 10oz.

Interestingly DD1 was 5lb 13.5oz at birth - spontaneous labour 39wks - and I had no growth scans with her but was monitored daily as they believed my placenta was failing.

@Liliana07 thanks for the reply... I'll see the consultant tmw, straight after the NHS growth scan. I'm trying to write down questions to ask just in case I'm feeling a bit emotional tmw and my mind goes blank. This feels worse than the first trimester anxiety!

@maxineputyourredshoeson 10 weeks behind must have been such a worry for you, but 5lb10 seems like such a positive outcome!

One half of my twins was very very small - half the size of her brother - so small she didn't even chart really so much lower than the 2.5 centile. Her placenta detached at 34 weeks but she was born healthy but tiny and they suspect there was an issue with her placenta all along that couldn't be seen on the scans (and I was having them weekly)

My DD was 2lbs 12 when she was born at 31 weeks.

That’s not very small is it? My DS1 was 6lb at 39 weeks and DS2 was 5lb 10oz at 38 weeks?

Is there anything to say you’re going to have the baby early? If not; I wouldn’t worry. My niece was born at 3lb 5oz and she is now a very healthy, intelligent and strong 5 year old.

Try not to panic!

My daughter was born at 42 weeks at 5lb 6oz. That was 2nd percentile. There were no indications, my bump always measured as expected. She's now 21 months and no longer underweight.
This time round I'm having extra growth scans, which I'm a bit nervous about. My first growth scan is on Tuesday!

@FelicityPike

My DD was 2lbs 12 when she was born at 31 weeks.

Thanks for sharing Did she decide to make an appearance spontaneously, or did they decide to induce?

@RussianSpy101

That’s not very small is it? My DS1 was 6lb at 39 weeks and DS2 was 5lb 10oz at 38 weeks?

Is there anything to say you’re going to have the baby early? If not; I wouldn’t worry. My niece was born at 3lb 5oz and she is now a very healthy, intelligent and strong 5 year old.

Try not to panic!

5th percentile sounded scarily small when they told me that, but I do appreciate that some of you have welcomed much tinier healthy babies and I should be grateful for every ounce!

@slowrunningteacher

My daughter was born at 42 weeks at 5lb 6oz. That was 2nd percentile. There were no indications, my bump always measured as expected. She's now 21 months and no longer underweight. This time round I'm having extra growth scans, which I'm a bit nervous about. My first growth scan is on Tuesday!

2nd percentile, crikey... so pleased you had a happy outcome and managed to keep her cooking for so many weeks Best of luck with your scan, I hope it soothes your nerves

@Hyggeandhugs please don’t worry OP! I know everything can sound so frightening when you’re pregnant but I’m sure that’s a really good weight! Something in my head seems to think I was once told they put on half a lb from 30 weeks so you’d be on track for a really healthy birth weight!!

My boys are now 4 & almost 3; my 4 year old is tall and slim but my 2 year old is such a little beefcake now 😂 rolls on his knees and wrists and ankles and he’s such a stocky build yet he was my smallest baby.

Good luck with your growth scan tomorrow!

I was induced 38 weeks as my daughter was on the second centile, she was born 9 days early weighing 5lb 3, I'm now 27 and this baby is measuring small too so likely another 38 week induction. I'm not worried as she is now 19 months and although still petite in frame she is taller than most her friends and bright as a button xx

I’ve had two iugr babies and the first was a spontaneous labour but second was elective. Both were at 37 weeks. Be interested to know whether what you have read is based on spontaneous births coming before 37 weeks as many are induced or delivered early due to health concerns and aren’t necessarily the gestation the baby would have arrived at given the choice.

My boy was 4lb 9oz when he arrived 6 weeks early and is thriving now. He's actually measuring big for his age now.

Hey OP how did you get on at consultant apt?