22 weeks and 5 days...baby measuring small

tanyameda

I just had an appt with my OB - as she usually does, I had an ultrasound to measure the baby.  She is measuring small - at about 21-22 weeks (I am almost 23 weeks).  Should I be concerned?   Is there something I can do to help her catch up?  This is my 4th baby and none of my other kids ever measured small.  My OB says not to be worried but, obviously, I cannot help but worry!  Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!!  thank you!

hmontty

When you're at this point, you can't really "date" a pregnancy by U/S anymore. Around 14 or so weeks, babies really start growing at different paces. In other words, their development follows the same pattern, but they put on weight/length/girth at different rates (just like real kids do).

You might just have a petite baby in the end. Or maybe he or she will have a growth spurt next week. I am sure everything is fine.

My DD was born at 85th percentile in height and >99th in weight. For the last six or so weeks, I had multiple U/S to determine how big she was (just to prepare for delivery). She came out "big" for her age, but she was definitely still a newborn.

ChristyML

At 22 weeks, my baby was measuring 2 weeks behind. They wanted to do another U/S to remeasure his femurs, and that was 2 weeks later. He turned out fine, but I was so worried. But the tech said that the dating ultrasound I had at 13 weeks was the most accurate.

==N==

My ds measured small my whole pregnancy. I got a special u/s toward the end because they thought he wasnt growing and theyd have to take him out a month early. But they didnt and he was born perfectly sized, 8lb. 2oz. and 20.5 inches.

Anyway, babies grow at their own pace, as they will throughout their lives. At my nt scan I was measuring 5 days ahead but she did say measurements can be + or - 1w1d.

jamdv3

My DD measured small throughout the entire pregnancy, virtually. My OB always, seemed to be concerned enough to send me to get extra u/s's but everything always looked fine. She came 3 wks early, weight 5.6 and was perfectly healthy. She's 2 now and has zero development or growth issues. In fact, she was a VERY chubby baby, just always shorter than avg. 

 

This next baby is measuring in the 61%, which just  baffles my mind. I know it's only 2nd, but I just assumed after my first that all our babies would be a bit on the smaller side. 

Don't worry--I did and it was completely useless. Some babies are just small, just like some people are small.