Had Dr's Appt - freaking out a little

PregNerd · April 2012

Had my 30week appointment today and there was good news and not so good news.

The good news is I passed the GD test, and that the baby is head down. I asked about the position - which I know can change - because we do some poses in prenatal yoga that you apparently shouldn't do if the baby is breech presentation.

Anyways, I mention to my Dr (who wasn't actually my DR, rather another Dr who was filling in for my regular guy) that people keep commenting that I'm small for being 7.5months. When she went to measure me she did say that I am small - I'm measuring 2weeks behind!

Cue the freakout. I mean, I had always thought that I just looked small because I'm 5'11" and there is lots of room to go up before going out.

I go for an ultrasound next week (couldn't get in sooner) to check that everything is okay with the baby.

Is anyone else measuring behind? What did your Drs say? Did you have a follow up u/s? How did it go? Any words of advice that aren't "breathe" or "try not to stress"? DH has given me both of those already - and I am trying - it's just not working.

rmwest87 · April 2012

I was 2 weeks behind at my last appt and my doctor told me 2 weeks either way isn't a big deal and he is just concerned if I measure 3-4 weeks ahead or behind. He told me that the measurement can change depending on the way the baby is laying. Hoping everything goes great for you.

PregNerd · April 2012

rmwest87:
I was 2 weeks behind at my last appt and my doctor told me 2 weeks either way isn't a big deal and he is just concerned if I measure 3-4 weeks ahead or behind. He told me that the measurement can change depending on the way the baby is laying. Hoping everything goes great for you.

I wish my Dr had said anything even slightly encouraging! All she did was measure me then start talking about getting me a requisition for an u/s!

geauxfrogs · April 2012

People keep telling me that I look small too, but the last two ultrasounds I've had (as recently as 2/27) have the baby measuring a week+ ahead. I think it probably has something how baby is situated in there. I will also say that the appointment before I had DD my dr guessed baby's weight to be 7-7.5 lb range by feeling and measuring fundal height (w/o an ultrasound). DD weighed 8lb6oz when she was born less than a week later.

allisonmarie22 · April 2012

Fundal height is FAR from being an exact science and it can vary a lot. For instance, at 29 weeks I was measuring 41 weeks and when I went in at 30 weeks I was measuring 36. It's all about positioning, fluid level, etc. You can also take your own height into account I'm sure. I really wouldn't worry if I were you.

MrsC968 · April 2012

My baby is hovering around the 5th% for weight (based off u/s). At my 28w appointment (when I was actually 29w) the OB said I was measuring small. I had the ultrasound at the office the following week, then for another one at MFM last week. The perinatologist doesn't seem to think I have IUGR, however the office wants to be on the safe side and I have to go for NSTs.

Chances are everything is fine. My office has been very cautious the whole time (I had 3 a/s). They just want to make sure the baby is staying along the growth path s/he was on. GL!

KarynR25 · April 2012

I have been measuring consistantly 2 weeks ahead, and when I asked my doctor about it she said that 2 weeks ahead or behing is nothing to be concerned about, as long as it stays pretty consistant throughout. My doctor said that all bodies are shaped differently so the measurements arent always exact.

I think your ultrasound will be just fine...at least you get another sneak peak!

kjem182 · April 2012

I agree it has to do with your body shape. My doctor said I was small to begin with because I had a strong core and my stomach muscles held the uterus in well. When I popped, I POPPED. I have very little room between my ribs and my pelvis, so the only way for my bump to go is out. She said taller women will look smaller because there is a little more room for baby inside of them. So now everyone in my office treats me with kid gloves because I look like I'm going to go into labor at my desk when really I have three months left, but I'm ok with that. Baby is happy and healthy and I have a big bump. So be it.

GeekFantasy · April 2012

I was told at my last appointment that I might be told, by an OB that doesn't know me as well, that I'm measuring small because I'm long-waisted, which I'm guessing is also your issue (I'm not as tall as you but I do have a long torso). Measuring two weeks behind isn't a huge problem, and if you're getting an ultrasound, that should help. Fundal height can be really skewed when you don't fit the "average" body type. In fact, everything can be skewed in that regard. Hope everything goes well!

mysweetbabies · April 2012

Totally normal. With my last pregnancy I messured a month behind the last 3 months or so. My baby was 6.1 when he was born at 39 weeks. This is my forth pregnancy and sure enough I am messuring small again. No biggie, we all come in different shapes and sizes:)

Sawyerplus1 · April 2012

rmwest87:
I was 2 weeks behind at my last appt and my doctor told me 2 weeks either way isn't a big deal and he is just concerned if I measure 3-4 weeks ahead or behind. He told me that the measurement can change depending on the way the baby is laying. Hoping everything goes great for you.

Agree. It can depend on baby's position, your fluid levels, even sometimes who's measuring you (this different dr may have been slightly off from where your usual dr starts the measurement from, kwim?).

I wouldn't worry. A 2 week difference isn't huge, and if you have no other reasons to believe something is wrong, then very likely nothing is wrong

LoveisPatientLoveisKind · April 2012

Same thing happened to me yesterday and people have been saying - wow, you're belly is small for Xwks, etc....except DD was the same. She measured small all along however came right her due date at a healthy 7lbs 5oz. I'm 5'8" with a longer torso which allows more room for the baby to hang out up and down rather than OUT - haha. Also, I believe I carry more towards my back.....i'm sure everything is fine.

I also go in for an U/S on Monday to "make sure everything is ok". Don't stress until you need to. The stress you feel is worse for the baby.....

sweetie6609 · April 2012

I've been measuring behind the whole time, but baby is measuring right on track. I had a growth U/S & everything looks great w/baby girl. I'm sure your height/size has some to do w/it. I'm 5'8" w/a long torso, so i think that's some of my issue too. I'm not concerned anymore & they won't change my due date since baby is measuring where she's supposed to. Just relax, I'm sure baby is fine.

Olive44 · April 2012

I was measuring 2 weeks behind at my 27 week appointment. My doc said 2 weeks ahead or behind is perfectly fine. She wasn't concerned at all. I'm 5'10", so I'm tall, too. If it makes you feel better, I had a growth ultrasound with my MFM about 3 days before that and LO was measuring in the 78th percentile. So, measuring small doesn't always mean small baby.

Josie22 · April 2012

All that means is that your uterus isn't sticking out as much as it does on average. I measure big with both my boys. I'm short, and carry all in the front. It's not something to worry about. My Dr had me go in for a u/s with my last son just to make sure. But nothing was wrong.

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