35 weeks and only measuring at 8th percentile

lizandlens

So I had an ultrasound today to do some measurements because ob thought I was measuring small from the outside.

Baby is only 4lbs 12oz, which puts him at the 8th percentile. He was at 25th earlier in pregnancy. Doctor said that heart rate, amniotic fluid, and blood flow through umbilical cord were fine, and that he could just be small naturally, but being under that 10th percentile.... I don't know.

I have an ob appointment next week where they will do some fetal monitoring, and also another appointment in 2 weeks for some more measurements.

 Worried... even though everyone says not to be....

AZ_Erica

DD1 was very small, under 5th percentile at birth but in the 7th percentile at her last ultrasound.  She started getting small around 28 weeks or so.  I had several appointments with specialists, NST's, BPP, and DD was always just fine.  I was induced at 37 weeks exactly for other reasons and she was 5lb 5oz.  At 2.5 she is still tiny barely reaching the 10th percentile.

 If you OB is confident everything is fine you should not worry.  As the ultrasound tech told me, not all babies can be in the 90th percentile, some have to make up the 5th as well.

ahill1889

I'd say don't go borrowing trouble.  Until you are told there is something to worry about, try not to stress.  It's not good for you or baby.

kthappy76

I've been told anything between 5 and 95% is "normal". Your baby still has plenty of time to over 5-6 lbs, and keep in mind that growth scans are estimates, not an exact science.

AmyFTM

FTM here and I am on the same boat as you. Here's our experience and I hope it helps ease some of your worries:

At our 20 weeks anatomy scan Dr. mentioned baby measuring in the 11th percentile. She said since DH and I are both small(er) the baby could just be constitutionally small because as LO's parents we aren't huge (I''m 5'0 and DH is 5'7" we're both Asian). She said we'd do another u/s at 28 weeks and monitor her growth. 

At 28 weeks she had grown to the 22nd percentile and we were very happy. Dr. said we'll keep monitoring her with a growth scan every two weeks to make sure she continues to steadily grow. At this point her femur, abdomen, head were all measuring consistently 3-4 weeks behind. Dr. wasn't concerned since her entire body was measuring small and not just some parts. She explained to me that as long as the growth is consistent and there were no fluctuations between areas we can rule out IUGR. Also, fluid level, heart rate, umbilical cord, blood flow, placenta were all measuring great. Dr. even commented that baby is extremely active and fluid level was outstanding.

At 34 weeks we did another growth scan and LO had slipped back down to the 9th percentile. Since we were so close to being at term and Dr. wanted to avoid pre-term labor she suggested I start seeing a high risk doctor. So at 35 weeks I began seeing my OB every week for the usual fluid level check and NST and also seeing the high risk Dr. every week for BPP and NST. I won't lie and say I wasn't concerned but I had so many opportunities to see for myself how well LO was thriving on the u/s monitors that I think the weekly visits were a blessing.

I am now 39+3 weeks and LO is still comfy in me. At our last appointment yesterday she was measuring in the 4th percentile. We have scheduled an induction for tomorrow (yikes!) and she is weighing in at 5lbs 10 oz and both my OB and high risk Dr are not at all concerned. They don't think she will need to stay in NICU at all. They both agree that LO is just constitutionally small. And they are actually saying that her being smaller will give me an easier labor.

So, yeah, I agree with PP's some babies are just small. I'd much rather push out a 5-6lb-er than a 7-8lb-er Plus you have to realize that percentile is measured against white and african american babies... if you're of another ethnicity there's a lot of margin and numbers do often lie.

I really hope this helps!! 

bonnin507

I guess I don't know what percentile DD was, but at 6lb 9oz & 18.5in, I think she was definitely on the low end.  She was perfectly healthy though & her small size made delivery easier I think.  She has never really caught up, still towards the bottom of the scale @ 20mo.  She's just very petite

baloneydisc

Try not to worry until you have more info.  Here's the experience I've had so far with measuring small.  I've been having BPPs, NSTs and appointments for the past 4-weeks due to possible pre-e.  They did a growth scan at the first one and one again yesterday.  At our appointment yesterday LO's abdomen had barely grown since the previous scan, however her other measurements, heart rate, etc were good. With the small abdominal measurement she was at 12% (although her abdomen measured 2.3%).  They checked cord blood flow and noted one abnormality and the other areas were borderline.  I now have another scan scheduled for Thursday, one Tuesday and will probably be sent to the hospital Tuesday night to be induced (37w2d).  My OB isn't overly concerned, but he said at this point she'll probably do better on the outside.  

tracenwalts

I am experiencing something similar and I am also trying not to worry.  I'm 29 weeks now and baby is also measuring in the 8th percentile.   OB said I was 1-2 weeks behind at my 20 week u/s and I have had two growth scans at the hospital since then, at 24 and 28 weeks. Will go again in 2 weeks.  I cant help but worry even though so far everything looks normal and healthy, just small.  Ive stayed at the 8th percentile basically this whole time.  Will your ob refer you to a maternal fetal medicine specialist for further monitoring? In my case, they have better, more advanced u/s equipment than my standard ob office.  Just out of curiosity, do you know if you're having a boy or girl?  We don't know what we're having but people keep trying to reassure me that it could be a girl and thats why she's so small.  Best of luck to you and try not to worry!!!