Anyone else measuring small?

[sedgiebaby]

I'm 29 weeks and measuring small the last two MW checks. Only a couple of cm though, and I think they are a week out on my dates anyway (putting me ahead of what I believe I am) but I'd still prefer not to be sent for a growth scan which is what will happen in two weeks if i'm still not on the 'scale'

BTW I'm very tall, it is my first and I'm having a girl. Also I never put weight on around my belly (legs instead!)if that makes a difference

I'm not pregnant now but with all of mine I was a few cm below what I should have been. I had one growth scan with the first then when that was fine I didn't bother having any more - the rate of growth was constant and I thought that was what was important. With my other pregancies I had the same but didn't have growth scans as I knew that the small bump had held an average-sized baby previously and didn't want unneccessary worry or tests and the midwives were fine about it. All babies came out exactly on average size.

I am the same - I am 3cms under and have been at my last 2 measurements (I am now 35.5 weeks) and I am having a growth scan next week (I have been scanned more frequently due to another issue not growth). Apparently the fundal height measurement thing is notoriously innaccurate so I wouldn't get hung up on it. I was told that it is likely because I had very strong ab muscles to start with (did loads of sport for many years) and this is my first baby. Also like you, I never gain weight on my belly but on my hips - so perhaps that has something to do with it!! Really don't worry...

Thank you hitmouse and MBC I really appreciate the feedback, there always seems to be something to worry about. I'll calm down a bit now

Evening, I'm measuring small too, same story - slim before pg, tall, first baby and having a girl. I actually didn't grow at all between 27 and 31 weeks, but the growth scan shows everything's fine. Today's measurements are still outside the graph (28.5cms at 33 weeks) but mw isn't worried as the scan was fine

thank you poppy283, that also makes me feel more at ease

I am tall and slim, with DD I didn't start showing till very late, I measured small at most of my visits my community mw wasn't concerned said it was my build and I would be unlikely to have a big baby. The hospital mw insisted on gorwth scan (I had 3), and all was fine. My DD was born 39+1 and weighted 5lb 13oz, and is tall and slim for her age (3). This time I am huge 23 weeks, as big as I was when I gave birth with DD I think. This one is a boy and I'm guessing he might not be quite as small as DD.

Thank you nunnie, being tall and slim must be a factor, although I imagine the scale includes women of different shapes and heights...but at 5.10" I tower over most.

I was just worried it may mean not enough amniotic fluid or something like that

I am 5"10 and was a size 8 when I got pregnant.

They will scan you to check everything is okay, hard I know but try not to worry if you can.

I am 5"7 and had a pre-pregnancy BMI of under 19 and haven;t put that much weight (now 27.5 weeks). This is my first, I have a long torso and very good abdominals. Not trying to show off or anything crass like that - just making the point that all this means that my bump is still fairly discrete (although of course I feel MASSIVE!!). I had a GP antenatal appointment at 25 weeks where she said my fundal height was bang on for the number of weeks. But at a MW appointment the following week (transferred to another hospital so had a booking in appointment) she said I was measuring small by 2 weeks. That, plus my pre-pregnancy BMI meant that I was referred for a growth scan this week. And - baby is bang on average for all measurements. Sounds like you're similar to me. Try not to worry - I think these fundal height measurements can be a bit hit and miss. If you get referred for a growth scan, other than the fact that it might be a hassle for you as it's yet another sodding appointment to fit in, so be it. DH and I actually really enjoyed going for our's - no worry about them finding an anomaly, cos that's already been done, and the baby looked so much more like a "proper" baby than it did at 20 weeks. Had some lovely views of its face .

Yes don't worry, I was small on my first pregnancy by about 3cm (even though I put on a bleeding truckload of weight), had the scan, and then he came out exactly average size. I am small again this time but they don't seem to be fussed. A friend of mine just had the same thing and the ultrasound dept refused to scan her because they said the measurement thing was so inaccurate.

I'm the opposite - I'm short (5' 1")and look absolutely massive because everything is being carried at the front. Am measuring 2 weeks ahead but the midwife said that the baby feels normal for 35 weeks and not to worry. She didn't even bother to measure me last time because she could see I would measure big but because the baby was the right size, no point (and no point in scan).

Build seems to play a huge part in it, everyone's bump is different.

My colleague had to have a growth scan because she was measuring small and she said she really enjoyed seeing the baby again - and everything was fine with her baby.

Apparently even the growth scans are inaccurate - if everything else is fine try not to worry

cardamomginger thanks for your comments, my mum thinks mw wasn't measuring me right (mum always wanted to be a mw, is my birth partner and is suddenly an expert!)I'd quite like someone else to measure me.

I will confess out of desperation i've had my notes out looking at the pictures/instructions and tried to do it myself, but that was a big fail because a) couldn't see what I was doing and b) finding pubic bone was OK but no idea where the top of my uterus, also I couldn't find my sewing measuring tape and a DIY metal one was never going to work lol!

Thanks also for the other comments about a re-scan, I love seeing baby but I'm not a massive fan of scans (there are some unknowns and unconfirmed studies that just make me want to limit it) and I have had 4 already because baby wasn't co-operating for the 20 wk position wise I/they had 3 separate goes at it, plus the dating scan I didn't want a 5th really

I don't think scans or fundal measurements are very accurate tbh. MW told me that if you were massively under or over they would be worried but a bit here or there isn't a concern.

I am tall and with first, had a small bump but baby was 8lb 4 so not small at all! Just well hidden!

Just to echo what everyone else has said really - I'm 39+5 and have been measuring small since 28 weeks, but as a result I've had 3 growth scans and they have all been fine (suggesting the baby will be smaller than average but that it's perfectly normal).

It did bother me a bit initially (especially as well-meaning people keep remarking on the small size of my bump!) but the midwife said that women who are tall and slim often measure small using the fundal height measurement and I found the scans reassuring. TBH I probably wouldn't have bothered having the last 2 scans after the first one was ok, but I want to give birth in a midwife-led unit and they need to be happy with the baby's size or they won't let me! And it is nice to see the baby again...

Thank you that is really interesting what you say about tall/slim often measuring small. I'll see what they say at my 31 wks but the more I look at my bump the more I think it is small too (I expect I'm getting silly now)

bumping this up because I just realised I have a customised growth chart and I'm still not within the scale, putting me two weeks behind. Any reassurance is welcome!

Tall and slim and have particularly long body. Not been measured yet this time, but measured small all through with my first and she's fine.

Yes! I am measuring small.
I am another one who is tall and slim-ish - I am 5'11" and my pre preg bmi was around 19.

I am a whole 4 weeks/4cm out though (I am 28 weeks, measuring 24) and they do seem to be quite worried....

Actually, its a bit horrid as I measured small at my 28 week mw appointment on Monday and she immediately called the hospital for an "emergency" appointment (you can imagine my horror at this point as I am lying on the bed thing with my dress round my neck!!), so now I am waiting to see the consultant and have a scan on Thurs morning, tomorrow. Its a bit of a nasty waiting game.... the mw thinks its my build coupled with the fact that she thinks the baby is transverse, but needs to be sure. Baby's heartbeat was good though and it is kicking, so she was content not to send me in that day.

In the meantime, I have been told to obsessively very carefully monitor movements in advance of the scan. If the baby is moving plenty, apparently it can't be too unhappy in there, so hopefully it won't be low amniotic fluid and IUGR because of comprimised placenta or whatever.

I did feel better after talking to my Mum who said she measured small (but not by as much) throughout all her pregnancies... she is 6' and her pre preg bmi was 17!!! (ex-model... grr!). We were all on the small side (none of us exceeded 6lbs 10oz, even at term), but fine!

PS - interesting that most of you are expecting girls... I chose not to find out at my 20 wek scan but have always been pretty convinced its a girl!

Lets keep eachother posted as to how we get on with scans etc... I hate worrying alone. Its scary!

legallyblond I will be thinking of you tomorrow, do let me know how you get along.

I'm trying not to worry but it is difficult. I wont see my MW until next tues when I get measured, I'm hoping for a growth spurt between now and then lol!

I was only 6lb 4oz but very very long (like a rabbit mum says!) my mum has just remembered her consultant said (when she was preg) I was a 'mini baby' I don't think they measured bumps back then but perhaps she was carrying small too.

I am expecting my 4th and have been meassuring 29cms for over a week. I am 31 wks pregnant. I am 5ft 3" and am normally between a size 12-14. My midwife isn't too worried at the moment but is seeing me in 2 wks so will see if she has decided to grow.

Yeah, me, I measured small, esp. at 34 week appt.
The baby was 11 days late and almost 9 lbs!

I measured small with all 3 of mine, yet they all came out between 8-9 lb. I'm not tall but am usually quite skinny (5'4" with BMI of 18)

I measured small too - I didn't show until about 24/5 weeks really and even then most people couldn't tell I was pregnant! I was about 2cms small and on the third appt they were going to send me for a scan but the baby was born a week early so they didn't.

I am 5ft 6 and a size 8 usually, BMI of 19. I also never put weight on on my tummy. However, I did put on 2 3/4 stone in pregnancy! Madness, I wasn't even eating more than I normally did - my body just basically stopped my metabolism. Anyway luckily it all fell off.

Baby is a girl and was my first. She weighed 7lb 3 oz which is a bit smaller than average.

Also, not AT ALL wanting to scaremonger - just something of which I was totally unaware but now wish I had been - due in part to small bump and foetal position (head down, legs curled up under ribs), she was born with talipes on one foot - her right foot could touch her shin. This has now been sorted but they routinely scan hips if any form of talipes is present - I noticed hers the first night in hospital - and she had shallow hips (which apparently may have been caused because she didn't have much room to wggle and deepen the hip sockets - also common in first born girls), the hip dislocated and she has been in plaster for 12 weeks and brace for 12 weeks. If picked up earlier (say at 6 weeks, instead of 11) then a pavlik harness can solve this and usually negates the need for plaster etc. All is fine btw just a bit of a faff.

So sorry to bring this up and it's totally off topic but just thought you might like to be made aware of it as you are measuring small!

I'm in the same position - 26 weeks and measuring 4cm small so my mw has booked a consultant appt followed by a scan next week. I'm trying not to get too stressed about it, the mw said it could be my build or the baby's position and that she's sending me for the scan just for reassurance.

Baby's heartbeat is strong and she was more active yesterday than she has been for a few weeks. I've just been told not to worry as long as I'm still feeling movement - my mum thinks it runs in the family for girls as I was 4lbs and my female cousins were between 3 and 6lbs.

I'm not sure about it being my build as I'm quite short 5ft4 and a size 10-12 so not a particularly small build, but I didn't really start showing until about 22 weeks.

legallyblond - good luck for today

Also, the measuring is notoriously inaccurate as someone has said. I was measuring small by my own measurements - taking the tape to the point it was supposed to be - ie the pubic bone I think. However, when I told the midwife this she measured me, pulled the tape almost under me if you know what I mean - like at least an extra 2cms and said "no you're fine". It was almost as if she wanted me to measure right o that she didn't have to waste NHS money sending me for a scan! Anyway all was fine and hope everyone here is fine too. Fingers crossed for you all.