Fundal height decreased, any experiences?

[tinkxo]

Hoping to hear from anyone this has happened to. I'm 35+4 weeks today, went for 36 week midwife appt and fundal height is 32 and showing as below 3rd percentile.

Previous measurements were -
27+4 weeks - 28 (approx 75th percentile)
30+4 weeks - 31 (90th percentile)
33+4 weeks - 33 (50th percentile)

Been referred for CTG on Monday and booked for a growth scan on Wednesday.

Wondered if it could be due to baby changing position but midwife has said she's been in pretty much the same position for my last 3 appts.

Same midwife has done the measurements each time in her same clinic room.

Trying not to worry as I know fundal height isn't always accurate but it's hard given the percentile has fallen so much and my measurement has gone backwards.

Anyone had a similar experience and everything was fine on growth scan? Should I be preparing myself in case they say baby needs to come early?

Also, midwife says baby hasn't dropped and head isn't engaged at all yet so that doesn't explain it either..

@tinkxo yep had this went for the growth scan and everything was fine! Fundal height with a tape measure is such an inaccurate/old school way to measure with room for human error. I was actually pleased that my midwife was so vigilant though and pleased to have another opportunity to see my baby again as 20-40 weeks with no scan seems to be forever!

I’ve had growthscans with almost every fundal height measurement being either too small or too big but scans looked fine 🤷‍♀️ but with the final measurement being too small (at 38 weeks) it was a good job I was scanned as baby had stopped growing and I was induced.

Baby was absolutely fine just a little small (still > 6lbs though).

I had a 3rd centile fundal height measurement at 28 weeks followed by an over 97th centile one at 31 weeks (27cm to 32cm). Growth scan at 28 weeks put baby at 50th centile, waiting for another after this!

Fundal height is very inaccurate. Growth scans are better but can be out by something crazy like 20%. But my baby is moving lots, responding to voices, jumping at unexpected loud noises, gets hiccups, and I can feel the movements are stronger than even a week ago. I'm just trying to chill and what will be will be.

You've made it to 36 weeks. Babies are routinely born this gestation absolutely fine, especially in multiple pregnancies. If they need to get her out they will, and if there is no urgent concern they can mature her lungs etc and she may not even need NICU time and just be a little dinky.

You got her to the point she can be born really rather safely. Chances are growth scan will say all fine, if not you get to meet baby a little sooner and she really should still be fine.