AW: passed my glucose test but still measuring small

Dishylo · October 2013

Has anybody else been told they're measuring small? And really, how concerned should I be??

I saw a lovely Dr yesterday and out of the 6 Dr's at the mat clinic I hope she does our delivery. I told her that I was feeling anxious about the car accident, anterior placenta, lack of major kicks (or consistent kicking of any kind) and she asked if another u/s would put my mind at ease. I think the tears probably did it lol. I hate it when you're trying desperately not to cry but you simply any help it!!!!

So she felt around, poked and prodded, thought she might feel the head and that baby was breach and said "well, you're still measuring small". I was told I baby was in the 10-15 percentile back at 20 weeks. Should he/she have grown by now? Should I be concerned that he/she hasn't? Dr didn't seem worried but did ask me to go back in 2 weeks so we can go over the scan.

Any BTDT Moms have experience here, any advice or comments?

twobluelines · October 2013

Remember that the baby has grown but so has the benchmark they are measuring you by. Half of all babies are below average.

dltate29 · October 2013

Our first a/s came back that our baby was measuring in the 9th percentile so that immediately put us in the category to be watched more frequently. I get an u/s done every three weeks. the first time around it came back baby was in the 20th percentile because the a/s was done incorrectly. Our most recent check up put the baby around the 11th percentile. My specialist doctor is not worried but I will be constantly getting check ups every three weeks to monitor how baby is growing.

Try to stay positive and I think you and your doctor are doing the right thing by getting another u/s to help calm your nerves. Stress doesn't do anyone any good!

Dishylo · October 2013

I guess I just expected a big baby as DH was the biggest baby on record where he was born - 11lb 11oz and 2 feet long. And he was early!

Of course anything out of the ordinary or anything surprising and I start to freak out and think the worst. Of course I googled "why would my baby be measuring small" and have all sorts of new (and likely ridiculous) concerns!!!

Dishylo · October 2013

Thanks @dltate29, reassuring to hear

dltate29 · October 2013

Dishylo said:

Thanks @dltate29, reassuring to hear

No problem... it is very frustrating and especially when you cannot do anything to help encourage baby to grow. My doctor said as long as I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs there isn't anything he would want me to change with my lifestyle. hang in there and it sounds like you found a doctor who will help ease your nerves. good luck and keep us posted on how things go.

peanutmuse · October 2013

I know it's hard when you're at the bottom half of a percentile range, but the way that I think of it is that unfortunately, some people have to be there. As @twobluelines mentioned, half of babies measure small according to that chart. As long as your doctor is monitoring things and isn't concerned, try not to worry too much. (I know, I know. Easier said than done.)

[Deleted User] · October 2013

My doctor told me that the "size" of the baby has nothing to do how big DH is (mine is 6'6). It has to do with mama's genes only and how big you grow the child. Try to stay calm until the next round of results. It could be just a smaller baby.

Unknown · October 2013

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shortstuff15 · October 2013

Measuring small is really only an issue if baby isn't growing at all (IUGR). Other than that, it's like everybody else said, some babies have to measure small to make the curve complete.

Both my babies were 6 1/2 pounds, which is the small side of normal. Like @wilburbud, my oldest has been between the 3% and 20% her entire life and my second is between the 30% & 50% at every checkup, so it just depends on baby and their genetics too. And because their genetics is the combination of both of you, there really is no way to guess what they are going to follow.

BrittNR · October 2013

At my 20 week A/S the tech made a comment about her being small, so I asked my dr. She said that yea, she was just a "little bitty thing", but didn't seem concerned about it. I figured she may be a small baby or just hasn't hit her growth spirt yet. I feel her kicking and moving around, and her heartbeat is always great, so I'm just taking those as signs that she is taking her time growing...

Dishylo · October 2013

Thanks guys. I think I just needed a little bit of calming down. I was fine at the Dr's appt and fine afterwards but as the evening wore on I started to rehash the appointment, think about what the Dr said and how she said it and what did the "hmmm" mean; was it a good hmmm or a bad hmmm. The silly stuff you do when you start to freak out. Perhaps that's why I woke up at 2am!

Appreciate everybody's comments, it really has helped

goldenB · October 2013

No experience because my OB just tells me a standard 'everything is fine' for every question I ask him so I have no idea on anything quantitative when it comes to baby, but just wanted to send my positive vibes to baby Lo.

Dishylo · October 2013

goldenB said:

No experience because my OB just tells me a standard 'everything is fine' for every question I ask him so I have no idea on anything quantitative when it comes to baby, but just wanted to send my positive vibes to baby Lo.

Thanks @goldenB. I'm sorry you have an unresponsive OB

vstevens · October 2013

I just wanted to add first that I agree with all of the PPs, but second on a more practical level: I'm at risk of an IUGR because of a single umbilical artery, and I was feeling frustrated at my lack of control over the situation...so my doctor told me to focus on drinking at least 3L of water per day, and eating a very high protein diet, both factors that can (but are not guaranteed, obviously) assist fetal growth.

Sounds silly, but when I crack into my greek yogurt each morning and drink my 5th bottle of water of the day, I find knowing that I'm doing these things helps me to keep my anxiety under control...just a thought for something productive you can try!

Dishylo · October 2013

@vstevens - thanks, that's brilliant. I usually try to drink 2 liters a day so will up that a bit to make it an even 3. And more protein should be easy. I've already cut down my sugar but at least 2/3

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