Baby's abdomen measuring small

futuremrs.hunt

My Baby A's abdomen has measured small recently. Anyone else have this experience? If so, what was the outcome? I won't get to ask OB or MFM until Monday so just wondering... TIA! 

jsp430

At my 36 week scan my baby A's abdomen measured small as well. He had never had a really big abdomen, but I guess the percentile on the 36 week scan was smaller than the proportions had been showing before. They did some additional measurements of cord blood flow for him during the same scan, which all turned out fine. The MFM and OB reviewing the scan measurements were fine with what the additional scan showed, and said it could just be his natural proportions, or perhaps his positioning in utero.

Of course this terrified me, and I thought maybe he wasn't growing enough - like we need one more thing to worry about? But he was born at 38 weeks, 5 lbs 15 ounces, the smaller of the two, but perfectly healthy. He was, and still is, very skinny and long!

I always tried to keep in mind that the measurements on those scans also aren't 100% accurate - there's technician error but also just differences day to day depending on the babies' positioning. Hope that helps!

 

 

 

 

 

 

ColleenS629

My Baby A's abdomen started measuring weeks behind starting around 32 weeks. For me, his growth continued to slow until my MFM recommended that we deliver at 36w. He was born perfectly healthy, just small, at 5lb3oz. He caught up big time after he was born and gained like crazy. He's now in something like the 75th percentile for weight when he was born in the <5th percentile. GL!

futuremrs.hunt

Thanks so much ladies! Makes me feel much better! I'm having BPPs every week now so I'm sure they will let me know if they get concerned. Thanks, again!  

ColleenS629

futuremrs.hunt:

Thanks so much ladies! Makes me feel much better! I'm having BPPs every week now so I'm sure they will let me know if they get concerned. Thanks, again!  

That's good. They had me going for NSTs with my OB twice a week and going to the MFM every two weeks for BPPs, growth u/s, and doppler cord flow studies. The good thing for me, as my MFM emphasized, was that I was already 32 weeks when those issues started arising so, while it wouldn't have been ideal for me to deliver that early and I was still freaked out about the possibility, the babies would have been okay if they were born at that point. You're even further along so it seems like you're in good shape. FWIW, my Baby A, the one with the smaller abdomen and the growth issues, actually did better than Baby B right after they were born. Baby B ended up in the NICU for breathing issues for about 26 hours. The MFM said that Baby A would have more mature lungs because he was stressed in utero. They both had a little jaundice from being early but they're both doing great now. I know it's scary, but try not to worry too much

futuremrs.hunt

Thanks, again, Colleen! I am going weekly for NSTs & BPPs. I would rather not deliver earlier than 38 weeks but if that's what is best for the health of the babies, I'll definitely take that option! Glad your boys are doing so well!! Very encouraging! 

snoangel79

Since week 25 my baby B (Allison) measured small and mostly the abdomen. They will probably watch you more closely for IUGR. Allison ended up being in the 4th percentile and Ethan in the 13th... She had severe IUGR but did a lot better than her brother in the NICU, they were both feeders/growers but he was on a respirator for two days and she was not... We never figured out why (the placenta/cord was fine). Our son was just getting more of the nutrition. She is perfect though! Just a peanut <:

Long=journey

Both of mine had IUGR starting around 26 weeks.  I had frequent monitoring (weekly u/s and NSTs 2x per week) after 30 weeks.   Delivered at 36 weeks when they dropped below the 1st percentile for abdominal circumference.  A was 5.11 lbs, B was 4.11 lbs.  the bigger twin was in the NICU for 9 days and te little peanut went home with me- no NICU time