Baby size

rw3190

Hello,

Last week I had an ultrasound done on my LO. She was estimated at 5.15 pounds at 36 week and a few days. I cant remember her measurements. She said that's the 50th percentile. Is that ok? I was reading that the baby should be 6-7 pounds already. And I also see plenty of comments about how the measurements and weights can be up to 2 pounds off. How does that happen when she is actually measuring the kid??

oneblessedmess

50th percentile is fine, it means she is measuring pretty much exactly average for her gestational age compared to other babies.

As far as the whole "can be off by 2 pounds" thing, people are usually just referring to weight when they say that. There is no way to actually measure pounds while baby is inside your uterus. They make their best guess based on the length measurements. But your baby could easily be skinny or heavy for their length.

shaley29

Honestly there are tons of babies born full term at that weight and are perfectly fine! You have a few weeks to go too, so don't worry! On the other hand I'm concerned my baby is too big! She was estimated to be 8lbs 2oz. That's healthy for her, but ouch for me!

klirwin82

My baby measured almost exactly the same (5.xx lbs) at 36 wks, 50th percentile. Then I had him at exactly 38 wks and he was 5 lbs 4 oz. I don't believe he stopped growing in utero, the ultrasound estimation must have been heavy.

rw3190

Thanks for the comments all I realize it's "average" but said like that makes me feel like she's not growing healthily

SBbabyonboard

Why would 'average' make you think the baby isn't growing healthy? Am I misreading this? Average means good, means normal size. If the doctors were concerned they would have told you. Babys are born at 4 and 5 lbs everyday and are perfectly healthy. You need not worry! You still have a few weeks to let that baby cook and they gain almost a 1/2 lb a week from this point on.

oneblessedmess

Yeah, I'm not sure why the term "average" in this case would be cause for concern. It means she isn't growing too fast or too slow. There's nothing wrong with being average-sized! No worries.

AziaNick

50th percentile is fine it just means that 50% of babies at that age weigh what your baby weighs. It is a concern if your baby is under the 10th percentile. That would mean that your baby has IUGR. Our baby was diagnosed with IUGR since 20 weeks. So they monitored her and they still are monitoring her after birth. She was 3 lbs 9 oz at 37 weeks. I wouldn't worry too much size and weight is just size and weight and it varies for everyone. My cousin had a 41 week baby and he was 5 lbs 8 oz.

rw3190

Its bc my DH has a child from a previous marriage
She was 6Lbs plus born early at 34 weeks
So to say he was upset to find ours was only 5lbs and change....is mild
He was really upset and said he hoped she stayed in the full 40 despite the fact that I'm in horrible pain