baby measuring small

DrFirsttimemom

My baby's been measuring on the small side of normal the whole time- he was 1 lb 9 oz at last week's 26 week ultrasound and ranging in the 3-24th percentile on everything, and he's saying I need ultrasounds every month to make sure the baby's still growing and seemed concerned that it could be intrauterine growth restriction although everything else has been fine (fluid levels are good and the profile isn't really the signs of a developmental disability). He's growing each time I go in, but stays on the smaller range of normal for his gestational age. I'm a tall, thin woman and eat a ton, but don't gain very much weight- always has been this way- (gained 13 pounds so far in this pregnancy) and I feel like my body could be just creating a normally smaller baby since my body wasn't made to push out a 10 pound giant baby! But, he's told me to stop doing any "leg exercises" since it could be pulling blood flow away from the baby (which I and all my midwives have never heard of) and he's got us concerned. Thoughts??

ang2016

My OB said if the baby is measuring within 2 weeks of your due date either way you are doing fine.  I don't always think those ultrasound measurements are very accurate. 

Emmy916

Everything I read says around 26w a baby should be around 1.67-1.75 lbs. don't know how that's cause for concerns unless other things are measuring behind. Also it might be low average but it's still in the average range which is better than being too low.

beachbride5

i was diagnosed with iugr with my second baby, she was measuring fine at 20 wks, but started to stay on the small side later...around 28/30wks. we just did weekly ultrasounds starting around 34wks to monitor her and she even though she was considered <1 percentile for size, she was born (on her own) at 39wks 5lbs 15oz and totally healthy. her brother was only 7lbs at 40wks3d, so i think she was right on track as far as how i grow babies.

 as long as you are eating well for baby and they keep an eye on fluid levels, placental blood flow, etc. you and baby will be fine. not everyone has giant babies but unfortunately, those huge babies throw off our percentiles!  

ajhamb

thanks for the words of confidence, @beachbride5, for those of us with Drs starting to scare us with IUGR diagnoses and threats of inducing!

beachbride5

@ajhamb i would have been induced that week, as the feeling was that she was no longer getting what she needed from the placenta...i didn't have to, but either way, she came out and latched on immediately.  

my favorite was always the u/s techs telling me to try to stay calm and not stress because that affects the baby. i told one i was fine--it was the weekly u/s that were making me nervous. haha. zip it.

WineNot511

My baby was measuring small at my 22w u/s and was told I had to go back in 4 weeks. At that time, she was 1.4 lbs at the 26w u/s. And her head was measuring 2weeks behind. I was told not to worry about it. Suuuure thing boss! lol

Friday I had another u/s at 30w and she had a pretty big growth spurt--3.1lbs and now her head is only measuring 1 week behind. Because of the growth spurt, I no longer have to go in every 4 weeks for a growth check. She is still on the smaller side of average, but everything is looking good. And personally, selfish as this may be, as long as she is healthy, I am a-ok with having a smaller average baby with a smaller head, if you know what I mean haha

Point is, babies can have a growth spurt at any moment. I was told initially that between 30-36 weeks especially they can have growth spurts.

DrFirsttimemom

Thanks for sharing all! It's good to know I'm not alone in this! I also found this article about how tall, thin women tend to have smaller babies if they are active!: https://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20070105/active-taller-moms-have-smaller-babies.

egohlke10

Our little guy has been measuring small since 24 weeks as well.  Around 32 weeks he was measuring in only the 3rd percentile so I had to start going to twice weekly appointments for NST's and Doppler ultrasounds.  So far everything has looked fine in regards to fluid levels, blood flow, and my health, so my doctor thinks we're probably just growing a small baby.  I'm also on the taller side at 5'8" and have remained active my entire pregnancy - still exercising regularly as I go into 37 weeks this Friday.  I've gained about 28lbs so far.  We have a scheduled c-section next Wednesday at 37 weeks since he's been breech for 8+ weeks and refuses to flip and my OB is estimating he'll be about 5.5lbs.  Can't wait to meet our little guy so soon, although I have a feeling this next week is going to draaaaaaaaaag while we wait...