36 weeks and measuring small

aschafke

I had my appointment yesterday for my 36 week check up and I'm only measuring at 30 weeks. My DS was only 5 lb 4 oz when he was born at 39 weeks but this scares me still. I have an ultrasound on Thursday to check her growth but was wonderibg if anyone else measured this small but baby was an okay size? Also, I lost 4 pounds since last week somehow, bringing my total weight gain so far to only 13 pounds. I'm so nervous that she will be too small and will have to be in the NICU.

Littlehummingbird

I was measuring behind at an appointment a few weeks ago and had an ultrasound. Baby was measuring at 58th percentile based on ultrasound. Those measurements in office are very inaccurate, so I wouldn't worry. They're probably just being cautious!

aschafke

Thank you! That's good to know. I will update after my ultrasound. I'm also dilated to a one, but with DS I was at a one for a full month before labor started so it basically means nothing to me.

jegoffin

Have you been measuring behind all along?

megewy

I've been measuring small as well and have only gained 14lbs. I'm currently 36 weeks measuring between 33 & 34 weeks. OB wasn't concerned. Asked about my LO and how much she weighed. When I said 6lbs she said well I'm not expecting this one to be much bigger. So since you had a small baby previously you could be just having another small baby.

christina4436

Couple weeks behind is one thing but 6 weeks?? Do you mean this is just based off your stomach/fundal height? If so I wouldn't rely on that. Your size could not impact baby. My stomach has been measuring on week but my baby from ultrasounds has been 1-2 weeks behind. If your baby actually measures in an ultrasound 6 weeks behind I would think there would be serious growth restriction. Just wait for your ultrasound and then assess. If a couple weeks and you carry close to full term you will likely be fine. It's more if you are behind and then also go early you may need NICU time. You just never know. I'm just hoping I can go until 38weeks or so bc based on growth pattern that's when my baby should be above 5 lbs. I feel like that's the range to be in to have less need for NICU and leave hospital.

aschafke

Yes this was just based on my belly measurement. I also read that if baby is very low and engaged, it cause your measurement to be smaller, but I don't know if that's true or not. she has been very low since 32 weeks, which is when they could feel her head by checking me.

aschafke

Had my ultrasound yesterday. They said she is at 5 lbs, which I was happy with because I'm 36 weeks and my first was only 5 lbs 4 oz at birth at 39 weeks, which means she's on track to being bigger than he was. However, they weren't happy with it. They said that it looks like my placenta isn't fully functioning. Baby is moving a ton though and I havent noticed any decrease. Doctors appt. On Monday.

LLynde5

@aschafke happy to hear the baby is measuring fine!! I will keep you in my thoughts, let us know how your next appointment goes.

kayceetomasita

My baby is measuring small. I have had multiple growth ultrasounds and she has consistently gotten smaller. From 56th percentile to 45th to 39th and now at 16th percentile. My doctor told me that there could be an issue with blood flow so I have to see my high risk specialist again tomorrow to check for the blood flow to the baby. My baby should have been a large baby due to gestational diabetes.

aschafke

I also have GD and she is not even close to being a big baby. At only 5 pounds right now, she won't be bigger than 6 pounds at birth most likely.

christina4436

Wanted to follow up as 2 days later from my post I gave birth to my baby girl! She was running in 9th percentile and at 33 weeks /6 days when born she was 4lbs 9oz. So yes on the small side and is now in NICU. However, compared to so many others there she is way ahead of the curve. Our NICU deals with 24 weekers a lot so to them she is big. She has jaundice and gets tired after eating for 5/10 minutes but at 3 days old and so early that is expected. She has to be fully feeding for 5 days straight before she can leave. I'm hopeful it won't be longer than 2 weeks if all goes like it has been. It's hard but we are getting stuff done at the house and go there morning and afternoon. I know she is in good hands so that's what helps. Luckily in the last two weeks she had grown over a pound and I think that really helped. Would def try to pack on the protein Incase!