Increasing Fetal Size

[QS90]

Hi, just had my 20 week scan and all good thankfully, feeling very blessed! Only thing I am a bit concerned about is that this baby is measuring 40th centile, when my last baby was 75th (from basically conception to 20 months which he currently is). I am 5 foot 8, DP is 5 foot 10, so seems small for our family. Feeling a bit guilty as this pregnancy has been so different, working and looking after toddler rather than being on furlough, taking excellent care of myself.

My question is, do you know any tips for growing bigger babies? I have put on plenty (too much!) weight, so no calorie restrictions, and take omegas and Pregnacare daily. I've read protein, folate and vitamin C can all increase fetal size/ weight, is there anything else I'm missing??

Why do you want to increase the size when baby is within normal range?

My DD is on 91st (has been from pregnant through to now (10 years old)) and my son is just below 50th (4 months old). They're both healthy so that's all that matters??

All babies are different, and 40th centile is entirely within normal range. I wouldn't worry about trying to increase foetal size when the size is normal. With 20 weeks left to go, there is plenty of time for things to change anyway, baby could have a growth spurt a bit later on. I would just carry on as normal as you are growing a healthy baby so clearly doing the right things 😊

Yes of course healthy is the most important thing by far, I'm very grateful the new baby is doing well. Just want to know I've done everything I can to give him the best start in life that I can, like I did for his brother, so that it's fair iyswim. Some things like "having plenty of rest" are impossible this time around, but just conscious of the difference between the two babies.

I take your point though @Nursemumma92 thank-you :) It is indeed early days!

I know what you mean about wanting to make it ‘fair’. But: ditch that thought right now because when the baby’s born it won’t feel fair, pretty much ever. I arranged my whole life around my first baby and his routine. I read to him loads, talked to him all the time, Annabel Karmeled my way through weaning. None of that was possible for baby number two because baby number one was then a busy three year old who still needed his routine and his mummy’s attention. So baby number two just had to fit in! It’s not even a bit ‘fair’. However. She has a big brother who fascinates her and teaches her and makes her laugh, and I honestly think that’s better. On the percentile thing: a consultant told me at 24 weeks that my second baby’s head was max 4th percentile and that she was healthy but would always have a tiny little head. At her first GP check up her head circumference was 75th percentile. So…not tiny after all? They grow at different speeds at different times and scans aren’t always accurate. And anyway, 40th is fine!

40th centile is normal and a baby born on the 40th centile has no disadvantages over a baby born on the 75th centile. Stop worrying and enjoying your healthy baby. Even if you do manage to grow your baby more (very unlikely) accelerated growth (too much) is a concern so you wouldn’t be helping yourself at all.