I had a routine prenatal visit today, and as per standard procedure, they measured my fundal height. As of June 26th, it was 28cm. July 10th, it was 28.5. Today, it was 28. My midwife asked if I could hang around for an ultrasound, and I said yes, because even I know that's weird for things to be not only not growing, but regressing.
They send me to the u/s department and the tech looked at everything. She wasn't allowed to tell me much but she said he's head down still, and my amniotic fluid looked great. We had thought that if maybe he was transverse, that would explain why my fundal height was weird. No dice.
My midwife called me less than 2 hours later (love her!) to tell me what she had seen from the u/s. Little dude is currently chilling in the 8th percentile. She said anything below 10th is cause for concern. They're considering him growth restricted for now, but he's "borderline" so they're not going to require me to come in twice a week for NSTs and ultrasounds...yet. They're going to do biophysical profiles once a week for the next couple weeks, and then another growth ultrasound in three weeks. If he's still growth restricted, I'll be officially labeled as "high risk" and they'll induce me somewhere around 37-39 weeks.
I know I'm not the only person to ever deal with this, but it really feels sucky. I just want a healthy baby and a healthy delivery, and I feel like I've done something wrong because somehow, in my head, it's my fault that he's not growing enough. Any advice? Experience?
The upside of the day was that I got a great 3D picture of our little guy. He's pretty freaking cute, IMO...not that I'm biased or anything...

Re: Growth restriction sucks. (And a PIP.)
That sucks that he's not growing very fast, but it doesn't mean that he'll be anything but healthy, so keep that in mind.
Of course, that's easier said than done, but you know what I mean.
Vroom, vroom.
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Awww he is so precious looking!
I hope you get better news next appointment.
Yeah, I'm pretty short. 5'1". MH is also quite short, I think about 5'5". I informed my midwife that I was a really small baby and that my family tends to make extremely small babies (I was late and was 5lbs10oz.), and she did say that could be a factor.
This! And he is adorable- its not just you!
Glad they are gonna keep an eye on him. Keep us updated.
Oh, he is a cutie!!
Hang in there. You're doing all you can and he will be just fine. Hugs.
(read it. you know you want to.)
anderson . september 2008
vivian . february 2010
mabel . august 2012
DD2 October 2010
DS September 2012
Holy crap, your new siggy pic is ALMOST too cute for me to handle. They are such dolls!
I think this has a lot to do with it, then. My DH is only 5'8" and very slight, and my parents are both small. I was 5 lbs. 8 oz. full-term, so I never even expected to have a large baby. This baby is measuring small already, so I am expecting to go through this again at some point with him as well. I would not be overly concerned-- genetics is what it is!
Good luck! I hope everything turns out okay at your next appointment!!
I'm curious though... if the baby is too small (on growth restriction), why do they induce them early? Why wouldn't they rather leave them in there and keep growing? Sorry, I've never heard of it.
It kind of just depends on WHY the baby is growth restricted. Sometimes it's caused by issues with the umbilical cord (which doesn't appear to be my issue), which can basically starve the baby or deprive them of oxygen. Severe GR can lead to stillbirth. They're still not entirely sure why my little dude is so tiny...she said that if he stays this way but his stats/biophysical profiles stay looking good, they'll probably let me go to 39 weeks.
I have the opposite problem, my dude is in the 93rd percentile, he is a giant. They have been asking more about more about my history (how big was I, how big was my husband, my brother), so I think genetics totally plays a roll. I was a giant baby with a giant head -- 9lbs 8 oz.
Also, I have been going for the twice weekly NSTs and ultrasounds because I have pregnancy induced hypertension, it it is a time suck, but the bonus is you get to see the little guy twice a week.
You got a super cute 3D pic, here is hoping everything else remains even keel for you!
If you have growth restriction from a small or inefficient placenta or a two vessel umbilical cord, the baby is worse off the longer it stays inside because its oxygen and nutritional needs aren't being met.
DS-9/2012
DD-7/2015
I'm sorry you have to go through this. You're in my prayers to be able to bake that baby as long as possible!
Carina 12.28.2010 | Aurelia 9.23.12 | Chart - Round 3
FX crossed BV that he keeps growing and that your next appointment goes great. And that is one cute little man you have!
This is definitley not your fault at all, from your post you are definitley doing eberything right that you can with this pregnancy.
Hopefully your little man catches up and if he doesn't he can still be healthy. Keep your head up ( yes I know easier said then done) and I will continue to send happy thoughts and prayers your way.
As you said you and hubby are fairly small so that can have something to do with it.
DD was iugr (she was the size of a 27 seekers when she was born at 31w).
She's still on the (very) lower end of the growth curve, but she's healthy and "normal".
BFP #3 via cancelled IUI ~ C (2lb 3oz; HELLP) 5/16/11
BFP #4 via the natural (free!) way ~ E (8lb 11oz) 9/13/12