anyone measuring very small?

Dani816

we're going to see a high risk specialist on wednesday because the baby is in the 10th percentile (1 pound 15 oz) and fluids are low. everything else looks ok (with her and with me), but they want to figure out what's going on and how to proceed. for now, i'm just supposed to drink a lot of fluids.

has anyone else had experience with this? what was the outcome?

Mrs.Butter

My baby has IUGR.  He went from 30th percentile at 20 weeks, to 15th percentile at 26 weeks, to 8th percentile at 33 weeks.  A pretty crappy growth trajectory.  My doctor told me to eat LOTS of protein (80 - 100 grams / day), drink lots of fluids, and get a lot of rest.  It's not doing much so far, although the baby is gaining weight, but not making leaps and bounds.  They suspect an issue with the placenta. 

In the meantime, I'm getting non-stress tests and bio-physical profiles weekly.  So far, the results of these tests have been good and the baby looks perfectly healthy!  But to be cautious, they don't want me going past 39 weeks.  I have another growth scan next week, and if baby hasn't gained enough weight, I might be induced then.

I think the best advice my doctor gave me was to not Google    There's a lot of scary info out there about IUGR / SGA babies.  Just remember the doctors can deal well with small babies, as long as mom and baby are healthy and not in distress.  So if they're monitoring you carefully, you can relax a bit more and trust everything will work out.  Good luck!

Devonanne

I am only in the 5th percentile.  I have weekly NST, bio-physicals, and dopplers.  He is growing but not enough to be bigger then the 5th percentile. 

I am on bedrest, I need to eat a lot of protien and drink a lot of water.  I agree with the above, DO NOT google it.  So many scary things about what could happen.  My doctor was orginally not going to let me go past 39 weeks but now I am having a c-section next friday.  Babies tend to grow faster outside of the womb then in the womb. 

Just relax and don't stress.  My IUGR is caused from cronic hypertenion and moving to a high elevation during my pregancy. 

ColieJ

Chloe dropped to 16th percentile at 23 weeks but we think it was just u/s error as she was back up to 30th 2 weeks later.

Dani816

thanks, ladies. it turns out we are actually 2nd percentile (which scares me a lot). the doctors don't seem too worried though. they didn't even place any restrictions on my activity (although i plan to spend this entire long weekend on the couch eating protein and drinking water. i'm bed-resting myself!) they just plan to monitor her and deliver early if necessary.i just don't understand what could be causing this. she and i both seem healthy in every other way. . .o well. it is what it is, i suppose.

thank you for sharing your experiences!

Sunrise6

At my 32 week appt I was measuring at 28 weeks.  I was officially diagnosed with IUGR but they don't know why.  They think it's because I'm small (5 ft), but I was 6 1/2 lbs when I was born, so I don't know.  They also said it could be that even though I was healthy and my placenta was functioning, that maybe she just wasn't utilizing the nutrients.  I wasn't allowed to go past 39 weeks, so I was induced at 39 weeks.  I had NSTs twice a week and BPP once a week.  My daughter was born 5 lbs 3 oz and 18.75 inches.  They induced because they said she would grow faster outside the womb, which she did - She doubled her birthweight at her 2 mo appt.  She's still small, but she's very healthy and happy.

emdaly

Hi - just jumping over from the toddler board since my DD was IUGR.  She kept measuring small and I was put on the same resting, water and protein advice.  My high risk OB at Tufts in boston said there are always 2 things to take into account - maturity and weight.  It's important for your LO to stay in even if growth isn't happening because they need that time in the womb.  After my LO was born she gained a pound a week (she was born at 36 weeks and weighed 4 lbs). Try to take it easy and eat lots of greek yogurt!

Nicki H.

I have been on the 17th (or so) percentile line since week 23.  My doctor said that she is not too concerned as long as the baby keeps growing and developing.

ColieJ

Update: now we are back in 17th percentile but her abdomen is less than 2%. NSTs& fluid check twice a week.