Accuracy of growth scans?

[Foreverbusymum101]

Went for our last growth scan today before c section on the 29th April. Midwife initially said 2.5kg, I asked what that was in lbs and she said 5.10lb - 5.11lb which I was happy with until I googled later and found out 2.5kg is actually only 5.5lb not 5.10lb, okay it’s not a massive massive difference but she did say it could swing 10% either way which potentially means just under 5lb or just over 6lb. I was praying on the heavier side because she’s coming slightly earlier at 35+5 because of a medical condition on my part but now I’m worrying she isn’t going to fit into any of her clothes and she could be even smaller than we imagined/ is going to run into her own health issues because she could be tiny. She is measuring where she should be for 35 weeks but I guess I’m just overly worried for her :( what have people’s experiences been with scans so close to the birth date and their accuracy? Am I being overly sensitive here. I know she’ll be in the right place and other women have babies far earlier but I’m so anxious I can’t help it.

5.5lbs is if you’re just looking at lbs and not lbs and oz which I know is confusing. My first was 2.6kg and he was 5lbs 12oz.

with growth scans by first was smaller than predicted but I remember in my last scan they didn’t seem too confident with the measurements and like they were trying to match them with previous scans. It was also another 3 weeks until he was born so I don’t think he really gained weight in that time. My second was completely accurate, the last scan was done two weeks before she was born and they had a really clear image when it’s often more difficult the later gestation.

Both of mine were smaller than predicted. Baby 1 was 5lbs13, was overdue and absolutely zero problems.

Either way there is absolutely nothing you can do about it so try not to get too panicked about it

Are you mixing up 5 and a half pounds, and 5 pounds 10 ounces?
Exactly 2.5kg is 5.5 (5 and a half) pounds, which is equal to 5 pounds and 7 ounces.

Now if your baby is say 2.57kg that's about 5 pounds and 10 ounces so she was most likely correct?

Third trimester growth scans can be inaccurate and can be off by as much as about 15% either way. Having said that, your baby sounds spot on for 35 weeks. Baby is coming early so can't expect them to weigh the same as a full termer. I'm assuming it's been decided that it's safer to have them earthside than to remain pregnant so in that case the risks have been weighed up and they'll do better on outside. Have some tiny baby clothes but don't overthink the clothing, they'll get bigger by the day once here and fit into everything in no time 😊

My growth scans were both very accurate. I had a 2.6kg baby (5lbs 12oz) at 38w and a 2.9kg (6lbs 3oz) at 39+3w. DD1 especially - the growth scan was at 37+3 and she was born at 38w and was within 1oz of the prediction. If you are predicted 2.5kg at 35w, then it sounds like even though baby is coming early, they are a great size! So try not to worry too much (easier said than done).

Both of mine were in "tiny baby" size for several weeks so if you haven't got any of those, might be worth getting some in. The supermarkets all do nice tiny baby sizes if you dont want to wait for delivery.

I think growth scans tend to be less accurate with bigger babies.

The only thing to flag with smaller babies is that they can be very very sleepy and not want to wake up to feed, which isnt good for them. So make sure you are strict about setting alarms every 2hrs to start with, waking them for food etc, until their weight is given the good to go by the postnatal midwives / HVs. We used to strip DDs off and tickle their toes to keep them awake whilst feeding!

Good luck! 💐

Mine were pretty much exact.