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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Bump too small?

26 replies

BabyGiraffes · 06/01/2010 18:38

Just been told my bump measures too small (~31) for 35 weeks and the midwife has really freaked me out. Does this really have to be bad news or is the measurement somewhat basic?? I am tall and slim and have not put on too much extra weight because I was ill before Christmas. Baby seems happy enough and quite active, too. My dd was just under 7 lbs - maybe I just grow small(ish) babies? Wish I could stop worrying.... any advice/experience anyone?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

youwillnotwin · 06/01/2010 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe · 06/01/2010 19:34

I'm the opposite I'm measuring big this time and did with DD. It's not a hugely accurate thing to go by. I had an 8lb 11 oz girl and although that is quite big it's not massive!
I was told they give you 2cm either way and if I got over that they would refer me for a growth scan.
I think you just make 'em small and I make 'em big and somewhere in between is 'the average baby'
I know it's hard but try not to worry! A 7lber should just slip out no bother

callmeovercautious · 06/01/2010 19:43

I measured small too - had a bit of low fluid according to a scan @ 20 weeks but all fine by 32 week scan then down again by delivery.

MW said she thought it was a combination of that and how I was carrying her (head down feet in my lungs ) coupled with the fact I am tall (5' 10"). Perhaps if you are tall as well that might explain some of it?

Ask about low fluid levels, DD was absolutely fine on it - 7lb 4oz.

FunnyLittleFrog · 06/01/2010 19:48

I worried about this all the way through pregnancy so you have my sympathy. Even when I was in labour the midwife predicted the baby would only be 6lbs. But guess what? DD was 7lb 14ozs.

So... they get it wrong quite a lot I think! Like others, I am tall and slimish and waa carrying high - that makes a difference.

Lilybunny · 06/01/2010 19:48

When are you seeing your midwife again? Usually you would be offered a scan when there is such a discrepancy. Sometimes you will be seen two weeks apart to be remeasured and if no/little change then offered a scan after that.

Measuring is a very crude indicator of size (scans not always any better tbh). Be reassured that your baby is active as this is one of the best reassurances you can get. One good thing a scan can do is check the fluid level as this can have an impact on your measured size. If there is any concerns following a scan then they can arrange to keep a closer eye on you.

In the vast majority of cases there is no problem, any if anything does show up then although a worry at least you kow that it is being taken care of. Good luck.

Original poster

BabyGiraffes · 06/01/2010 19:51

Thanks all, this is really reassuring. Quite amazing how they can get you so worried though. I thought I'd gone through all the worrying with dd1 and would be more laid back with this one, but far from it!!

OP posts:

MumNWLondon · 06/01/2010 19:56

Ignore her - or at least don't worry unless this is confirmed by a scan. Was told that by GP at 33 weeks with DD. She told me to go straight to hospital for scan... as I had a scan booked in for 34 weeks anyway I said I was happy to wait until then (although she still said I should go straight to hospital!) - anyway week later had growth scan, DD was exactly on average size and was born at 40 weeks weighing 7lbs and 5oz, against totally average size.

MonicaMoniker · 06/01/2010 20:06

I was told repeatedly during my second pregnancy that my baby was small. A consultant said very accusingly (in front of a group of students) "A woman of your size should have bigger babies" . I was told not to expect a weight of even 6lbs. He weighed 8lb 4oz. I am quite tall and was very slim before becoming pregnant so I guess there was just lots of room in there!

strawberrycalpol · 06/01/2010 20:39

I was told this with both pregnancies, DS1, my midwife sent me to hospital- had scans etc, and still told he was small, he weighed 7lbs 2. DD1 was going to be even smaller according to midwife and hospital, lots more scans, she was a month early and weighed 5lbs 6oz, small but not terribly so.

Both times I ate a lot of chocolate to encourage weight gain, probably worth a try...

Freezingmyarseoff · 06/01/2010 20:49

Hi
I had a small bump all along - midwife at the day unit in the hospital even asked me if I was here for a post natal check when I was nearly 6 months pregnant! Got referred to have 2 weekly checks in the last 6 weeks after midwife was a bit concerned about uterus measurements. when DD was born she was 5lb 2oz, but Paediatricians took one look at her once she was pulled out and didn't know what the fuss was about - scans aren't really that accurate. and although everyone said she was small to us she was perfect. She was absolutely fine health wise just little. Plus she's only just grown out of her first car seat at 15 months (v convenient) and she's much easier to carry compared to other babies same age. She was kicking all the way through the last few months, so if yours is too so don't worry, just enjoy the extra attention.

daffodilli · 06/01/2010 21:08

I'm tall and shapefree slim, and was told my bump was small all through my pregnancy, but DS was 8lb 4oz when he was born at 38+4 so my bump, although quite small was obviously all baby!

LoveTheCarbs · 06/01/2010 21:10

I was also measured small for dates at 34 weeks and sent for an ultrasound scan. You should definitely get a scan, wonder why your midwife hasn't sent you for one? I think it can depend on your height and build and the way the baby is lying, so it isn't terribly accurate, just a guideline for the MWs.

Anyway the scan showed him to be fine. He was born 15 days late, a long baby weighing 7lbs 13oz. But DH and I think that they got our dates wrong from the start. He was prob born on time.

PoppetOne · 06/01/2010 21:19

I am 5' 11 & absolutely everyone told me I was small so I asked MW & the response was "it's fine, moving and growing" and (rather worryingly as it was my first) "you'd be amazed at the size of the babies that tall girls can have"..... followed by the words "nearly 8 pounds"!

DD was 8lb 7!

Even during the early stages of labour I still didn't look pregnant from the back!

FrozenNorth · 06/01/2010 21:45

I actually had the opposite happen to me - midwives kept reassuring me that my very small bump measured fine, but growth scans showed that DD had stopped growing at around 34 weeks. She was born at about 5lbs at 38 weeks - induced. Moral of the story = midwives' / doctors' measuring tapes are a very rough index of foetal growth. Two professionals measuring on the same day got figures that differed by 3cm.

Original poster

BabyGiraffes · 06/01/2010 21:53

Thanks all, your posts have made me smile and really cheered me up. Have an appt with the consultant tomorrow to see if they want to send me for a scan, so should know more then. My feeling is that the bump is just solid baby with little padding...

OP posts:

Stinkyfeet · 06/01/2010 22:02

I measured small for dates, so had loads of growth scans in the last couple of months - in my case they were right, the baby was small. He was delivered at 38 weeks, weighing 4lb 15. But, he was absolutely fine, bf straight away and didn't need any special care.

So whether they're right or wrong about your baby being small, it's not necessarily bad news. Try not to worry too much.

Good luck.

GracieGirl · 06/01/2010 22:42

I'm 36 weeks, bump measures 32 cm so I've been for a growth scan today. Baby is perfect size with good amount of fluid, it just that I'm tall and slim. Also baby's head is 3/5ths engaged so bump has dropped a bit. Try not to worry, I hope you are reassured at your appointment.

kellze · 06/01/2010 23:40

What are the correct measurements? I have no idea. I am 28 weeks pregnant and was measured yesterday and was 28....whatever that means, no further explanation so i assumed it must be ok.

SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe · 07/01/2010 11:52

kellze it's one cm per week so at 28w and 28cm you are spot on. I don't know at what week they start measuring though but as the other ladies have pointed out it's a very approximate measurement and 2 different people could take a different measurement on the same day which is why they give you 2cm either way before sending you for a scan (in general).

I'm tall too BTW so I don't think measuring small and being tall is necessarily the answer I think we are just all different, our babies are all different and to get an average there has to be some smaller and bigger.

first1 · 07/01/2010 12:46

I'm only 21+3weeks and got a very small bump. Will they measure it at my 24week checkup? I can't play the being tall card as I'm only 5'4!

HappyBump · 07/01/2010 15:15

My DS was small for dates and my bump was relatively small. He was 6lb 2oz at 40+2 and fine but I had low amniotic fluid levels. He bf straight away gained about 6oz in a few days after birth and has not stopped growing since.

This time round I feel much bigger but again my doc thinks the baby will be small for our size (my DH is 6ft2 and I am 5ft6). I am hoping this makes for a pain free birth

Doc said not to worry as the baby looked healthy at the scan, we just produce smaller babies.

SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe · 07/01/2010 16:07

first1 I just checked my notes and didn't get measured til 28w so you probably won't get measured yet.

Original poster

BabyGiraffes · 07/01/2010 19:45

Hiya, just some feedback, saw a Registrar today and he measured the bump as 34 weeks (and I am 35 weeks). I think he tickled the baby when he checked the postion and she stuck out her bum at him . He thought everything was totally normal and I don't need to be scanned either.
Will make sure I won't listen to the midwife next time I see her!! Can't believe I was so worried last night.... so thanks again for all your posts!

OP posts:

callmeovercautious · 07/01/2010 20:02

Hey that's great news

Good luck with her arrival - let us know how big she is

SmacOnTheLipsUnderTheMistletoe · 07/01/2010 20:22

Great news

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