Foetus growth at 34wks - freaking out!

[america]

I just had my 34 wk check-up and the midwife completely freaked me out. She said that my bump is only measuring 31cms and is sending me to an emergency scan saying not to panic - yet. Should I panic?

Don't panic
It may just be how the baby is lying
Fundal height is not terribly accurate

Don't panic at all. I was slightly behind for dates and my DD was 9 pounds 11.

My friend was constantly told her DS was too small and had growth scans throughout and he was 8 pounds 2 and early.

America - my neighbour was told the same thing - her little boy was 9lbs 5 oz when he came out at 40+3, so please try not to worry. The measurements of fundal height are at best an estimate.

don't worry, i had the same thing. DD measured 4 weeks behind from 32 weeks, i had a scan and all was fine, measurements were normal. she continued to measure 3-4 weeks behind all the way to 41 weeks, but was a nice healthy average 7.6 at birth. consultant thought it was because i had very strong abdominal muscles so bump was just not particularly big.
interestingly i'm measuring big this time! hmm... probably says a lot about how much exercise i've done in the intervening period .

THANK YOU! Maybe I have strong abdominal muscles too I thought I didn't have any muscles left after DS but that's an encouraging thought

Don't worry, a lot of midwifes don't even do the fundal height measurement, one of mine doesn't. Scan is a good idea though, just in case your fluid levels have dropped etc, always better to be safe than sorry. Good luck and hope all is well. I am only 2 weeks ahead of you!

dont worry as diff midwives get diff measurements too! I have been measured twice today by diff people one got 35 cm and other 30 cm!(Am 29 weeks!) But even scans aren't accurate!

I was measured twice by the same mw within 15mins, this was at 32 weeks (like I said on other thread) and the first measurement was 38cm(!!!!!) and she didn't bat an eye, when I asked her to do it again, it was 36cm, so I either shrank in 10-15mins or mw was slightly off on finding the pelvic bone.
Today at 34 weeks, measured 35cm.
Maybe you are all baby and not much water? Maybe that'd make a difference?

Don't worry honestly, I was really concerned that my mw kept measuring me on the top scale and was predicting a big baby going on fundal height.

Had to go in for monitoring for something else entirely and at the scan was told she was actually on the bottom scale and they were concerned that she was going to be too small!

Had another scan since, plus fundal height done by several different midwives and consultants and the consensus is that she will be on the small side of average!

Just wish she'd decide to arrive now though 40+2 today and decidedly uncomfortable to say the least.

Oh you wise ladies were proven right again. I had my scan today and everything seemd ok, no probs with fluid or placenta and the baby seems to be of average size. Hugely relieved. Thanks for your posts.

Oh that's great news, very pleased for you america.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy.