Belly Too Small?

Bizbitty

I'm 36W5D today and keep hearing people say I'm too small to be this far along, there's no way I'm only 3 weeks out, etc... At my A/S, doctor said baby was a little small, but not enough to worry about. At my latest appointment, I measured a centimeter smaller than my doctor expected me to. Doctor says a centimeter in either direction is nothing to worry about.... But I'm still a little worried. Anyone else experience this?

RedLucia

My OB says you need to be >2cm off in either direction for them to be concerned. Too big could mean too much amniotic fluid while too small could mean slow growth or too little amniotic fluid.

Most of the time, however, it is just an indication of how big the baby is. I measure "big" for my baby's gestational age, but big babies run in my family. remember that a full term baby is normal weight if it is >=5.5 pounds, but many babies are 10 pounds at birth. These differences translate into different belly sizes. 

MiraclePending

I had the opposite problem with my first and would measure big. My doctor was convinced I had gestational diabetes and that my daughter would be huge. She was born at at almost 42 weeks and was only 7 lbs, 10 ounces. She wasn't small. But definitely not huge. My placenta was very large, and it was anterior. This was causing my large measurements.

 

if you're measuring a little small it could be due to baby positioning, placenta, etc. if a baby is posterior facing, you typically measure smaller. It sounds like you have nothing to worry about.

nickilyons22

I am carrying small also I am 29 weeks as of this moment.Everyone who sees me seems to think I am still in my first or second tri. But, when my older sister was pregnant with my niece was small up until her 8 1/2 month mark. And I guess my mom was the same way.

katiebenes

I wouldn't be worried because people are MORONS about belly size. unless it is YOUR DOCTOR worrying, ignore them.

I've had two people back to back tell me that "you can't be due in two months. you look ready to pop" and then "it can't be twins you're too small"  

lilygrace

I'm 39 weeks, and I've had morons argue with me that I can't be due on Friday.  Clearly they know more than I do! 

Two weeks ago someone asked me if I was 4 or 5 months.  I'm not even kidding.  My baby is on the smaller side, and to be fair I didn't even gain any weight until about 30-32 weeks.  Sometimes it worries me, but you know what?  My doctor is pleased, says the baby is right on track and that I look great.  The only opinion that matters is his.  Random strangers just love to say things, even if (especially if?) they're completely not helpful.

Alwzdancing

I'm 37 weeks today and measuring fine. However, Ive only gained 15 lbs and to most people I look like I'm about 6 months at most. My dr has said as long as everything measures fine and there is enough fluid I'm ok. Every pregnancy is different and everyone carries differently. I just had to stop wearing my normal shorts last week. I wouldn't worry about it. Personally I feel that's why I have such painful rib and pelvis kicks and punches.

skio

If your docs aren't worried, you shouldn't be. Tell people to shut the hell up when they care to make comments on the size of your belly. None of their business.

JocelynB0911

People are idiots. I am having twins this time around and am measuring beyond full term for a singleton pregnancy and have been since I was about 25 or so weeks. It doesnt stop people from saying "You are sooo tiny!" Yeah, eff you.

As long as your doctor is ok with your babys growth, then try not to worry. People think when you get pregnant you are supposed to blow up by week 3 and be miserable and that is not realistic in the slightest. Depending on your body type baby may have more room to stretch out. Like I said, until your doctor tells you to worry, dont lose too much sleep on the negative comments. I am in the same position as you and the feeling sucks but I have to remember that there are stupid people out there that think they can say whatever they want to a pregnant woman.

jennme

RedLucia:

My OB says you need to be >2cm off in either direction for them to be concerned. Too big could mean too much amniotic fluid while too small could mean slow growth or too little amniotic fluid.

Most of the time, however, it is just an indication of how big the baby is. I measure "big" for my baby's gestational age, but big babies run in my family. remember that a full term baby is normal weight if it is >=5.5 pounds, but many babies are 10 pounds at birth. These differences translate into different belly sizes. 

This. Also, I am in the same situation, measuring a week behind. My doc said don't worry..so trying not to I understand the concern though.  

geoffandjen728

I haven't heard any numbers from the measurements but they said I am fine. Everyone says I am too little but at the growth scan (standard practice at my doctor's office) they said baby is estimated to be in the 69th percentile. So even though I am measuring small and everyone seems to think I have at least two months left, I am actually likely to give birth to a baby that is a little above average sometime between now and four weeks from now at the latest. I am due in exactly 2 weeks. So- if your doctor isn't worried, you shouldn't be either. People just like to say stuff. Everyone is an expert on pregnancies and babies... didn't you know? 

Cosmic+Love

People do not know what they are talking about. Do not let them worry you. I get the same comments, but DH and I were both little peanuts when we were born. So, I imagine that this LO will be too.

Plus, and most importantly, my doctor has never been concerned.

BlueJewelM

So the assurance of a medical professional is not enough to convince you things are ok? And instead you choose to worry about what non OBs say?

Hmmmmmm...

Humans come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. We are not all the same, nor do we have the same pregnancies or birth the same weight of babies. There is a very wide range of normal.

[Deleted User]

Your vag will be happy with a smaller but hopefully very healthy baby:)  If your doctor isn't worried, I wouldn't be either.

magdalina.h

If your dr isn't worried, you don't need to be

Millie1984

katiebenes:

I wouldn't be worried because people are MORONS about belly size. unless it is YOUR DOCTOR worrying, ignore them.

I've had two people back to back tell me that "you can't be due in two months. you look ready to pop" and then "it can't be twins you're too small"  

I agree.  People who comment about you looking small probably think they are giving you a compliment.  They really don't realize a comment on size, no matter what they are saying, is inappropriate.  If your doctor is not worried thats all that matters.

RK125

I wouldn't worry. People can't believe that I'm due next month. They think I'm only 5 months or so. I tell them "I might look small, but I am definitely feeling big." My midwife says everything is measuring fine so I'm going to believe her.

PSUBean22

Asbromle:

Your vag will be happy with a smaller but hopefully very healthy baby:)  If your doctor isn't worried, I wouldn't be either.

This!!  Perhaps people are just being nice.  People say the same to me all the time, and I take it as a compliment.  I am measuring a week "behind" as well and even lost 2 lbs, but no one in my medical team was concerned.

ktbear9512

katiebenes:

I wouldn't be worried because people are MORONS about belly size. unless it is YOUR DOCTOR worrying, ignore them.

I've had two people back to back tell me that "you can't be due in two months. you look ready to pop" and then "it can't be twins you're too small"  

This- people are dumb. I was at a bridal shower over the weekend with people I don't see often. One told me I was tiny and only look 4 or 5 months pregnant, and 20 minutes later someone else said it looked like I was going to have a HUGE baby.

Also, dr measurements can be off. If your OB isn't worried, try not to be (I know easier said than done). 

vintageutopia

These things are so relative.

 

I have gained 5 lbs total. My amniotic fluid level is exactly where it should be. My abdomen measures one week ahead, but my baby is a little peanut.

 

Go figure!

rooftop

my belly looks super small too (unless I push it out there) but mw says I'm on track. If your doc isn't worried than you shouldn't be either... unless you don't trust your doc,

magicalbride2bee

Hello,

I wouldn't be too concerned, unless your doctor is. I am 27 weeks pregnant and almost EVERYONE says I'm so small for being 27 weeks. I asked my
Doctor and he said that everything looks great and baby's healthy. Just ignore what others say. Every woman carries differently. Some are large, some are small.

amy11401

Throughout most my pregnancy people have been saying that I look small. At my last appointment I was measuring 26 cm at 28 weeks but the doctor was not concerned. I did have a growth scan that I have not heard back about but that was not because of my measurements it was due to pre-exisiting medical conditions.