What does "belly measuring small" indicate?

bunny1114 · July 2011

Hi ladies,

At my last appointment, my doctor said my "belly is measuring small" and she ordered an additional u/s to determine baby's sizing.

I am 34 weeks now and doctor said everything else was on-track (my weight, blood pressure, etc.). When I asked her if she was concerned and what a small belly meant, she said it wasn't necessarily good or bad...and she didn't provide any additional information.

Have any of you experienced this? What were your results after u/s?

pettycrocker · July 2011

Measuring your ute doesn't really indicate anything, it could just be that LO is curled up in a little ball. Occasionally it could indicate LO is on the small side, but more often its just positioning.

I was measuring 42wks at 33wks before she finally started to drop down. Her measurements on u/s always show her growth to be right at average- so it just so happened for weeks she was stretched out as much as should could get.

I'm sure everything will be fine especially since everything else seems fine as far as your weight and B/P I wouldn't get too stressed about it. Good luck with your upcoming u/s

laurasuzanne2006 · July 2011

our baby is measuring about a month behind. Like PP said they can measure small due to position, or could just be a small baby. In our case I think i'm just looking at an itty bitty baby. based on palpation the baby has a lot of room still to move around, etc. Pllus my sister had 6 and a half pound babies measuring on time. So just planning for a peanut

Cobra11 · July 2011

For me it meant nothing. I was measuring small and they had an u/s ordered. Baby's measurements were fine

dairygirl19 · July 2011

It doesn't mean anything usually. Esp. this far along if it's been progressing as normal otherwise.

If you're at all tiny, your belly will be as well sometimes. Also has a lot to do with baby's position, where the dr. puts the tape measure etc. etc.

Dr. told me belly measurements were a useless indicator except to check that some growth as occurred. If it hasn't then they go to u/s. Sometimes they'll go to u/s anyways just to be on the safe side.

That said, my belly is actually shrinking apparently, and dr. told me the lower baby goes, the smaller the measurement reads.

laurasuzanne2006 · July 2011

dairygirl19:

It doesn't mean anything usually. Esp. this far along if it's been progressing as normal otherwise.

If you're at all tiny, your belly will be as well sometimes. Also has a lot to do with baby's position, where the dr. puts the tape measure etc. etc.

Dr. told me belly measurements were a useless indicator except to check that some growth as occurred. If it hasn't then they go to u/s. Sometimes they'll go to u/s anyways just to be on the safe side.

That said, my belly is actually shrinking apparently, and dr. told me the lower baby goes, the smaller the measurement reads.

at the same time u/s measurements can also be way off. So really there is no way to know

dairygirl19 · July 2011

laurasuzanne2006:
dairygirl19:

It doesn't mean anything usually. Esp. this far along if it's been progressing as normal otherwise.

If you're at all tiny, your belly will be as well sometimes. Also has a lot to do with baby's position, where the dr. puts the tape measure etc. etc.

Dr. told me belly measurements were a useless indicator except to check that some growth as occurred. If it hasn't then they go to u/s. Sometimes they'll go to u/s anyways just to be on the safe side.

That said, my belly is actually shrinking apparently, and dr. told me the lower baby goes, the smaller the measurement reads.

at the same time u/s measurements can also be way off. So really there is no way to know

Very true! I forgot that part. My own dr. told me it was basically a guessing game until the end and all anyone can really do is just check for forward progress, good heartbeat, consistent measurements etc.

featherust · July 2011

My Dr told me my belly is measuring small, too. At 37 weeks my belly was measuring at 33. They ordered an u/s and said her abdomen was measuring small, and scheduled another u/s. Her abdomen has improved but she is still a small baby. They didn't seem too concerned which brings me some relief! I wouldn't worry too much about it wait and see what they say. GL!!!

banderson725 · July 2011

all women are built differently. u could just be smaller in size than most. if doc isn't concerned, I wouldn't be either.

Lissa832 · July 2011

I consistently measured 3 weeks behind until 35 weeks. DS laid across my belly with his hands and legs up at the top. I was constantly told I was going to have a tiny, tiny baby. He was almost 9 lbs at birth. When he flipped, I started to measure normally. If you are consistently measuring small, but still showing growth, then you'll be fine. If you measured normal until now, it can indicate a growth restriction. Without more information, you can't really know.

lololoco · July 2011

rmj80:
Small fundal height measurement can also be an indicator of too little fluid or a baby that is smaller than average...the ultrasound will let you know if either of those are a factor.

Having the ultrasound is a good thing, especially if there is a problem, because your doctor can help you come up with a plan on how to keep your baby safe and healthy.

Best wishes!

ditto this, I was measuring small and have too little amniotic fluid. Baby is 50%ile though.

cburitz · July 2011

I have been measuring 2-3 weeks behind since 30 weeks. I've had 2 growth u/s since then (and I have another one scheduled for the 11th) and they have shown my LO is on the smaller side, but still within the "okay" range. They are keeping a close eye on it for now.

Yes, it may be nothing (i.e. baby's position, inaccurate measuring, etc) but it could also indicate IUGR or too little amniotic fluid. The u/s will be able to tell you if the baby is growing on track and if the AF is within a normal range.

Try not to worry! I hope it turns out to be nothing!

ashleyrsotomayor · July 2011

cburitz:
I have been measuring 2-3 weeks behind since 30 weeks. I've had 2 growth u/s since then (and I have another one scheduled for the 11th) and they have shown my LO is on the smaller side, but still within the "okay" range. They are keeping a close eye on it for now.

Yes, it may be nothing (i.e. baby's position, inaccurate measuring, etc) but it could also indicate IUGR or too little amniotic fluid. The u/s will be able to tell you if the baby is growing on track and if the AF is within a normal range.

Try not to worry! I hope it turns out to be nothing!

All of this. I have been measuring small since 30 weeks, and I have had numerous growth u/s. My LO is measuring smaller than average (but I am also very petite). They have been keeping a close eye on him through biweekly BPPs and regular growth u/s. He was measuring in the 12th percentile last week, so I will be induced on Thursday because they are concerned that my placenta might not be doing its job very well anymore and he might not be getting enough nutrients. My doctor doesn't seem too concerned though, and she said as long as he is not below the 10th percentile and my fluids are okay...then it's fine.

35baby · July 2011

I wasn't even measured in the office, but after a regular visit the doctor ordered a fetal growth scan. I was 31 wks when I went for the scan because my doctor thought I looked small for that many wks. The technician said that my child was in the 48% range which was average. She also said my DD weighted 3lbs and 10oz I hope the doctor will tell me more next week. I hope too that I gain enough weight in these last two months so that she will be a high enough weight to come home from the hospital. Hope everything goes well with your u/s.

Snow1010 · July 2011

At my 34 week appointment I had an US and the baby measured 5lbs 12 oz, which is big....71st percentile.

But then when the nurse measured my belly, I was measuring small at 32 inches.

The doctor said everything looked just fine and everyone's body is different.

growingmybun · July 2011

I have been measuring small: the baby is enormous and I have a ton of amniotic fluid. The tape measure is a pretty inaccurate measure of anything.

Cass&Derek · July 2011

Completely late in answering this, bit with DD I was measuring 4 weeks behind, so at 39 wks my doc ordered an U/S, which didn't get done until I was actually due. DD was measuring at 37 weeks (all other U/S she was right on w/DD) , but fluids looked ok. I gave birth 2 days later, she was a pound more than what they estimated and was completely healthy. All to say, measuring small based on FH or on U/S doesn't mean much, but it's best to check fluid levels and such.

MommaMcG · July 2011

My doctor thought my belly was measuring small last week (at 34 weeks) so he ordered an u/s right away. She ended up measuring 36 weeks, so belly measurements aren't that accurate.

rlyttle · July 2011

This exact same thing happened to me around the same time. It was actually around 36 weeks. They were more concerned that I might be losing fluid. The did an ultrasound & everything was perfect. Everyone thought I would have a little baby since my belly was little. DS came out 7lbs 6oz & 21 inches long!! You are probably just fine!! My belly also got smaller toward the end when he started to drop.

CalinsBride · July 2011

I'm also measuring small, and was with my last pregnancy as well. At the sizing u/s they estimated that DS would be 6.5 lbs, but he was actually 7.9 lbs. He was normal sized, but my belly just wasn't that big, and I think this one will be the same.

quitkid · September 2014

I'm measuring at 34wks and 6 days but I'm supposed to be at 36wks and 4 days so I'm a little concerned about my baby they say she is healthy but they are having me do an ultra sound every week now.