Baby measuring small - 4th centile

[Cmajmxx]

Hey 👋

so I was just looking for opinions/experience from anyone who may have been in a similar situation to me now.

I went to my 34 week appointment with my midwife last week, she said that it looks like I’m measuring a bit smaller and wanted to send me for a growth scan just to be sure everything is ok… well, the growth scan put my baby on 4th centile. My 20 week scan put my baby on 50th centile previously, I have also paid for private scans at 24 and 32 weeks which both again put my baby at 50th centile so for him to now be on 4th centile is a huge drop.

I saw the consultant the day after my growth scan and she has booked me in for another in 2 weeks time and has said that if there is not enough growth within these 2 weeks, they will induce me as I’ll be 36 weeks at that point.

so really, what’s the chances my baby will have a huge growth spurt in the next two weeks or is an induction early likely to be the next Steps?!

im so worried… this is my third baby and the first two pregnancies I never had these issues and both babies were very healthy weights…

the waiting game and not knowing what is happening is the worst bit for me right now

Sorry to hear, as with everything it’s the waiting and not knowing that’s so hard. I have opposite experience in that my baby measured on 90th + centile from week 32 onwards. I had fortnightly scan and she remained big, then at week 39 I had private scan that said she was around 50th! Anyway NHS were predicting she would be 9lbs9, which given I’m 5ft1 and weighed 7 stone before pregnancy and my husband is also not big (in height or weight) was frankly terrifying. She came out at 7lbs 7, 10 days late. So basically the scans aren’t always very accurate and if you had consistent scans at 28/32 weeks I wouldn’t be worried about NHS scan now!

Firstly, the scans have big inaccuracy issues so this could truly be nothing (and I hope it is). I think the doctor told me 20-25% is normal to be wrong. That’s a hell of a lot. Outside of that, I experienced this, and my baby went from 40% and very healthy throughout pregnancy and to 1% at my 32 week scan. I had no idea anything was wrong. It was a very stressful end to pregnancy, it was very overwhelming and outside of my control. Ultimately I think at around 25 weeks I had a bad bout of Covid, followed by a bunch of yeast infections I self treated with pharmacy meds, and this gave me placental insufficiency. I had an initial 48 hours in hospital for heartbeat monitoring, then every week I had 3 days of heartbeat monitoring and a detailed scan and measurement. We were allowed (and encouraged) to keep our baby in until 37 weeks and to have a c section due to increased risk of stress to an “IUGR” baby through natural birth. Our little guy was 5 lbs 1 oz at birth and by some absolute miracle he didn’t go to the NICU. Despite being tiny, he was perfectly healthy. I hadn’t brought any onesies to hospital as at the final scan the day before they told me he was 4lbs 7oz and was definitely NICU bound. The scans really can be wrong. Rest, treat your body well, I ate so much sweet potato and steak, anything high protein to grow the baby (though the doctors said it wouldn’t make a difference, in my head I needed to do something). Sending hand holds and hopes it was just a bad measurement xx

Both my babies were supposed to be over 7lb and were born under 6lb. The scans can be inaccurate but the important thing is you're being monitored regularly and they will be checking blood flow to baby and can take preventative steps.

so, you’ve made me think now as I have had BV during this pregnancy which I’ve treated myself with over the counter meds and I have a feeling it’s come back (or maybe never gone fully?!)… this pregnancy is very very stressful and it’s my last baby, so I really wanted to enjoy it! :(

Did they say why? Did they do ultrasound to check blood supply? Amniotic fluid? Are you eating and drinking well?
That is quiet a significant drop so if nothing changes I would personally accept the induction as the reasons are very reasonable.

My LO was measuring on 10th centile intire pregnancy and at 37weeks he was just below on the 8th centile. But still upward trajectory. They freaked out and tried to get me induced. I spoke to My BIL who is a Consultant OBGYN of 25years and he told me they are over reacting and they need to calm down and to ignore them. I did. I had my LOL at 39weeks and 6days naturally in a birth pool. No complications at all and he was 6lbs and it was his abdomen that was slightly smaller. 22months later he is a healthy and bright 12.5kg baby/ toddler at 89cm!
And just like his DF he is all leg and shorter / smaller in the abdomen region. Just a normal variation.

I second that. I work in the NHS and been told so many stories. My midwife mate said she went to a homebirth of a baby. Mamas belly was measuring normal and they expected 8lb baby. Nope she had a 11lb baby! At home! And the baby was off the centile chart!!! Baby was fine, Mama was fine.

So yes ultrasounds are not 100% variables such as abdominal fat, where the placenta is placed etc can make a significant difference.

Getting good flow to baby can improve things. Light exercise, eating well and drinking pleanty. Aim for 3lotres..... I know ot is ao hard.

Please don’t panic, I didn’t want my post to do that, but you asked for real experiences which I have had. As another person said, rest, treat your body like a temple, eat protein rich meals and exercise lightly. Go for the monitoring, they are able to determine scan accuracy within 1-2 more as they need a few to average them as the scans can be so different. In my mums due group there was prob 100 of us, of which 3 of us had mini babies (they were all ok though), and a few had scans which indicated measuring issues which they later said were just wrong, but definitely caused alarm at the time. I know it’s so hard to relax, but your doctor/midwife will get you in for monitoring. On the plus side you’ll get a few extra sessions to see your little one ❤️

@MixedCouple They said they aren’t sure why there is such a drastic drop… they did do an ultrasound, which is what put him from 50th to 4th… they checked the blood flow and all was fine. The consultant just said they want me back in 2 weeks (12th sept) to check his growth and if he’s still very small they will induce me quickly. I’ll be 36 weeks on 11th sept and the consultant said she wouldn’t be worried about getting him out at 36 weeks, as she would be concerned that something could happen if they didn’t… i wouldn’t decline the induction, I think I’m just worried about his health, I don’t understand why there’s such a big drop.

@Cmajmxx I wouldn't worry about that as if they don't know you willl only atress yourself out even more. Maybe it is something they can determine later.

Are all his meaaurments small or a specific area?

At least this way they process will be controlles to a degree and if needed he can be taking to NICCU

I don’t know about the drop but I had my baby at 36 weeks naturally and it’s really only a few days early (37 weeks is term). I was told my baby was really big but she was 6lb 5

Think of the positive that they’ve identified there could be an issue and are dealing with it. Happy baby!

Iv had 2 inductions at 37 weeks due to IUGR both my girls were 5lb 3oz on the 1st centile. They are perfectly normal 4 and 1 year olds now. My predicted scan weights and actual weights were only 1oz out both times.

So I went back for a growth scan today and baby has grown but still on 4th centile. I have an appointment with the consultant tomorrow and the midwife said they will book an induction but she doesn’t know when for. She said that I won’t make it to my due date and she thinks I’ll be induced at 37/38 weeks. I’m 36+1 now!

I'd imagine you'll be induced next week then; my trust induces at 37w if less than 4th centile.

Hi @Cmajmxx , how are you getting on if you don't mind me asking? My little one is on the 8th centile, I'm almost 32 weeks. Hear so much about big babies but not that many about small ones! Have been told that she'll be out at 37 weeks if she doesn't arrive before.
I hope everything went well for you?

@justsayso not the OP but just wanted to say I was monitored in my last pregnancy for having a small baby and I also kept having to go in for reduced movement. I was scanned at 34 weeks and again 37 weeks. At the 37 week scan they had concerns that her abdomen hadnt grown at all since 34 weeks and then with the reduced movement they decided to start induction that day which was a bit of a shock! She arrived 3 days later, small and skinny but 25th centile.

She was a bit dozy and jaundiced for a month. She also struggled with feeding and lost a lot of weight the first month at one point going down to 0.25 centile and she was being weighed every 3 days for weeks. We had to add formula in because she didn't have the energy to BF.

It was rough, I can't lie. I do think small 37 week babies need to be treated almost like preemies. You may need to get some 'tiny baby' clothes and the size 0 nappies.

Anyway you'll be pleased to know although the first few months really were shit, she has grown into a strong and healthy toddler. 75th centile for height and 50th for weight. Never got those chunky baby legs!

Hope everything goes well for you

Hi @Knock123 that's so kind of you to share your experience. It sounds like it really wasn't easy and it must have been a scary time for you. Thanks for giving me a realistic idea of what potentially could happen and I'm pleased you're out the other side of it now!

Hi @justsayso my baby was born on Monday at exactly 38 weeks. He was o the 20th centile and weighing a lovely 6lb15!

I wasn’t due to be induced until 39 weeks but I went into the hospital for an episode of reduced movements at 37+3 and they decided to bring the induction forward to the Saturday when I was 37+5, however there was no space so we ended up going in on Sunday instead.

he was born Monday happy and healthy with no issues or concerns at all. He is small but nowhere near as small as we expected so no need to worry !

Congratulations! Lovely news

Congratulations!
I'm going through exactly this. I had my 34 week scan last week and will see consultant today. So good to hear some positive stories!

Congratulations!! So happy for you.

That's lovely news. Congratulations!