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Baby Measuring Small..Now to Biophysical Profile?
So, my last appointment my doctor wanted me to have an U/S to get a measurement of the baby. After all the measurements were taken the U/S Tech told me that the baby is measuring almost two weeks smaller than it should. She reassured me that some babies are just more petite than others and that I shouldn't really worry. Afterall, she had been told that her DS was "below average," and he's a healthy vibrant 3 y/o. Once my doctor came in to see me, he seemed a bit more concerned than the Tech had. He told me that he'd be keeping an eye on my lil peanut and that he'd go ahead and start seeing me weekly and that my next appointment he'd order a biophysical profile. I was a bit more concerned and once I got more info about why a biophysical profile is done, I see that perhaps I should be concerned. Has anyone else gone through something similar and could you share any info with me? He started talking putting me off work early and if the baby's size doesn't start progressing, he even mentioned inducing early. My BP has been fantastic, as well as weight, no GD, and no other complications. Anyone have any input? Thanks in advance, ladies...
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Re: Baby Measuring Small..Now to Biophysical Profile?
My baby's arms and legs measured small (3 weeks behind) at 24 weeks during an u/s at my regular ob's office. He suspected IUGR, so he referred me to a high risk specialist. I'm kind of surprised your doctor didn't do the same. My regular ob freaked me out talking weekly u/s and early induction.
However, I went to have a higher level u/s done at the maternal fetal specialist and everything measured just fine. So, I think its a combination of the machines/techs at my regular ob's office not being as good and the fact that the baby is a little small.
The arms and legs measured within normal percentiles (above 10th%). The baby overall was 25th% (again normal as long as above 10th%). Maternal fetal specialist did not think ANYTHING was wrong. I'm going for a monthly u/s tomorrow but she said that was highly conservative and does not expect anything other than a small baby. Especially given my size (5'1) and the fact that my DS was 39 weeks and only 6lbs 11 oz (20th %). Hopefully everything is ok with your baby, just wanted to share as one u/s being off does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.
Has your baby measured small all along, or is it a recent development?
My first had major complications that ended up in a stillbirth but the drs. diagnosed after a series of u/s in the 20 week range. She was measuring on track all along then suddenly stopped. Her limbs also measured smaller than other body parts and nothing was consistent measurement wise. At all. I mean like weeks off between arms and legs. I ended up within an IUGR diagnosis and a bunch of other issues.
This time my baby measures to do the day/a little behind. All the dr. told me is that small girls have small babies and as along as it was above the 10th percentile, baby was making consistent progress and the measurements were in line it wasn't anything to worry about it. He also told me he looks into anything more than 2 weeks off one way or the other, but 2 weeks is a normal margin of error.
If she's measured small all along I wouldn't be too worried. If it's a more recent development, I'd inquire further.
Hang in there and good luck.
I'm not aware of my punkin measuring small up until this last U/S. I've had several but most were trying to get a good 4D shot because we opted for that. This was the first where they were actually trying to get an accurate size of baby. "Poppy" is still very active so I'm not terribly worried...just more curious as to why the growth seems to have slowed. Perhaps baby will have a growth spurt...who knows. All I can do is wait until this Friday to see what Doc says. That will give us a lot more info. Thank you for all your input...
I have to go for NSTs and BPPs every week. I have pre-E. THe BPP is to make sure that baby is functioning at a normal level, hands feet, practicing breathing. THey want to make sure that even though LO might be small, they are still progressing.
As far as measuring 2 weeks behind. I've seen a few ladies that were worried and then the baby had a growth spurt and decided to pack on some LBs.
Hope LO decides to grow a little!
Thank you sooo much for the reassurance! I kept telling myself that but I'm not very good at convincing. This is the first we'd heard of punkin being a lil small. At an earlier U/S several months ago baby was measuring a couple days ahead. So, perhaps you're correct and there will be a growth spurt before too long. Good luck to you!