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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Baby Measuring Small

9 replies

LemonDrizz · 06/04/2023 12:34

Hiya,
I'm just wondering if anyone has any stories/experience to share about being induced or delivering early because their baby is measuring small?
I've just come out of hospital for reduced movements. Baby measuring on 10th centile but they have said if he drops below this then they will likely want to induce me at 37 weeks. First baby, so was fully planning on still being pregnant at 41 weeks if I'm honest so a bit of a shock! Currently 33w+2
Just wondering if you were induced at 37 weeks or did they just offer you a c section date?

OP posts:
Likethestarsabove547 · 06/04/2023 13:00

Can't comment on the induction side due to small baby but I just wanted to give a word of warning on these bloody growth scans.
I had 4 growth scans. First was because I was measuring 4 weeks ahead and they were worried about diabetes and large baby. Had the scan and baby was on the cusp of where they would refer for large for gestational age etc. Next 3 times I was sent because baby was showing slowed growth but again scans showed on the cusp of being considered a big baby. My last scan predicted baby at 7lbs 3oz.and baby would be 9lb6oz at 40 weeks This was at 34 weeks pregnant.
I had baby at 38 weeks (spontaneous labour) and baby weighed 6lb 12oz...
The scans caused me nothing but worry and panic and honestly I wish I'd had the guts to say no to them but I'd never gave forgiven myself if I was wrong for any reason.

Moral of the story is these scans are notoriously inaccurate. They measure femur length, abdominal circumference and head circumference. My baby has a big abdomen so this screwed the results for us.

In regards to inducing you they will try at 37 weeks if still concerns. It depends if you want that or not. You can go straight to a c section if you would prefer.

Please try to bit get worked up about the growth part, focus on making sure movements are correct etc and any concerns go straight in.

Sorry if that didn't help x

bracemyselfagain · 06/04/2023 13:21

I echo PP on the growth scans ... best way to send your anxiety straight through the roof!
My baby was apparently measuring small, scan showed everything on track. Then, scan was apparently measuring small, abdominal measurements showed on track. Couldn't make heads or tails of it.

I was induced with my DD (now 4m old) as I was overdue (41+2) ... was told my baby would be mid 7's (estimate from a growth scan 2w prior) ... baby born mid 6's.

Sparklesocks · 06/04/2023 13:22

Have they booked another scan in? I was measuring about 13th percentile at 32 weeks but at 35 weeks she had shot up to about the 60th - they think they may have had a bad angle at that first scan alongside a growth spurt, so it’s no guarantee that baby really is the size they predict. There can be a 10/15% margin of error. I opted for an elective section due to my gestational diabetes but they wouldn’t book me in until after the 35 weeks scan as her size would impact which week they went for.

Original poster
LemonDrizz · 06/04/2023 14:43

Sparklesocks · 06/04/2023 13:22

Have they booked another scan in? I was measuring about 13th percentile at 32 weeks but at 35 weeks she had shot up to about the 60th - they think they may have had a bad angle at that first scan alongside a growth spurt, so it’s no guarantee that baby really is the size they predict. There can be a 10/15% margin of error. I opted for an elective section due to my gestational diabetes but they wouldn’t book me in until after the 35 weeks scan as her size would impact which week they went for.

Hiya, I have another scan in 2 weeks at 35 weeks.
He measured small at 20 week scan as well and then had caught up a couple of weeks later so hopefully will be the same again this time round 🤞
Think I would go for elective section as well if they still say he needs to come out sooner rather than later.

OP posts:
Original poster
LemonDrizz · 06/04/2023 14:45

Likethestarsabove547 · 06/04/2023 13:00

Can't comment on the induction side due to small baby but I just wanted to give a word of warning on these bloody growth scans.
I had 4 growth scans. First was because I was measuring 4 weeks ahead and they were worried about diabetes and large baby. Had the scan and baby was on the cusp of where they would refer for large for gestational age etc. Next 3 times I was sent because baby was showing slowed growth but again scans showed on the cusp of being considered a big baby. My last scan predicted baby at 7lbs 3oz.and baby would be 9lb6oz at 40 weeks This was at 34 weeks pregnant.
I had baby at 38 weeks (spontaneous labour) and baby weighed 6lb 12oz...
The scans caused me nothing but worry and panic and honestly I wish I'd had the guts to say no to them but I'd never gave forgiven myself if I was wrong for any reason.

Moral of the story is these scans are notoriously inaccurate. They measure femur length, abdominal circumference and head circumference. My baby has a big abdomen so this screwed the results for us.

In regards to inducing you they will try at 37 weeks if still concerns. It depends if you want that or not. You can go straight to a c section if you would prefer.

Please try to bit get worked up about the growth part, focus on making sure movements are correct etc and any concerns go straight in.

Sorry if that didn't help x

Thanks for your reply. It is helpful to put it into perspective. I've seen/read a lot about growth scans measuring babies too big so guess didn't really consider that the opposite might happen. Was fully prepared to be firm about my choices/decisions when I was thinking everything was 'normal' but I guess just having a wobble incase there is something wrong. BUT really good reminder to focus on movements and baby and not be rushed into anything x

OP posts:
Likethestarsabove547 · 06/04/2023 14:58

LemonDrizz · 06/04/2023 14:45

Thanks for your reply. It is helpful to put it into perspective. I've seen/read a lot about growth scans measuring babies too big so guess didn't really consider that the opposite might happen. Was fully prepared to be firm about my choices/decisions when I was thinking everything was 'normal' but I guess just having a wobble incase there is something wrong. BUT really good reminder to focus on movements and baby and not be rushed into anything x

Show quote history

Honestly I was in a state from it all. I had the choice of c section and had chosen not to go down this route but the scans nearly changed my mind so many times towards the end when I was vulnerable and scared and my midwife was useless

Babyenroute · 06/04/2023 15:04

I was induced at 39 weeks due to baby measuring small. He was around the 14th centile from the 20 week scan onwards, but growth slowed towards the end and at 38+5 they estimated he had dropped to 6th. He ended up being born on 1st centile so scan was not bang on, but the opposite way for me! He is now a milk guzzler and has caught up to the 50th! Smile
I wasn't offered induction at 37 weeks so must have been different in my trust- even at 36 weeks he was 9th centile so under the 10th and all they did was book me in for another scan.
I hope all goes well for you and your little one!

shakeitoffsis · 06/04/2023 15:27

Hello! I was induced twice at 37 weeks due to babies measuring on the 1st centile. We saw fetal medicine the second time and he was happy for us to continue to 37 weeks again as there was talk of a 36 week induction. Both my daughter were born 5lb 3oz on the second centile. The second time we stayed in for 5 days as she had suspected sepsis and jaundice that required treatment. First was a 2 hour active labour, second a 1hour active labour! Happy to answer any questions.

Luna95 · 04/07/2023 15:19

Hi!

I’ve just come across this thread as currently experiencing similar. Currently 33+3 and going for another growth scan tomorrow as baby previously measuring in the 8th centile for abdominal circumference. We have been told about the possibility of early delivery but just wondered what happened for you in the end? Did you end up being induced at 37 weeks? We’ve found it really hard to gage how concerned we should be, some practitioners have made it sound more significant than others so just wondering what to expect really!

TIA x

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