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33 weeks and measuring small

sarajukugirlsarajukugirl member
in August 2015 Moms
ive just been to my midwife appointment and my bump is measuring 30.5cm when it should be closer to 33cm (cm should be about the same as your week) My first son was born small at full term 5lbs 5oz, and it seemed that my bump stopped growing towards the end of my pregnancy, about the same time I'm at now. They didn't catch onto how small I was until I went into labor. So it has been a worry that this baby will be small too. My midwife has booked me in for a growth scan today and i feel worried. Could it be the placenta failing? Has anyone's baby growth slowed towards the end? What can they do to make sure my baby puts the weight on before he's born?
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Re: 33 weeks and measuring small

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  • Justicefam15Justicefam15 member
    I just had my growth scan too. They basically check to see if the baby is proportionally small, check fluid levels, check blood flow from the placenta. My baby turned out to be in 6.5% (can't go below 10%) for weight and am being referred to a maternal fetal specialist. Don't freak out. You had a small baby before and it's probably that you're carrying another small baby but they just have to follow protocol to make sure both you and the baby are healthy! They'll definitely be able to answer all your questions when you go for your scan!
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  • sarajukugirlsarajukugirl member
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I went for the scan and they confirmed that the baby is small. Measuring the 9th percentile for weight at 3lbs 15ozs, however he is healthy and active with plenty of fluid around him and good blood flow from the cord. I was told that it's probably just in my genetics to grow small babies, and that as long as the baby is healthy which he appears to be, not to worry. However they have booked me in for another scan in 2 weeks and said if it looks like he's not putting the weight on, they will deliver him early. So fingers crossed he gains some weight in the next couple of weeks!
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  • Miz_LizMiz_Liz member
    sarajukugirl said:
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I went for the scan and they confirmed that the baby is small. Measuring the 9th percentile for weight at 3lbs 15ozs, however he is healthy and active with plenty of fluid around him and good blood flow from the cord. I was told that it's probably just in my genetics to grow small babies, and that as long as the baby is healthy which he appears to be, not to worry. However they have booked me in for another scan in 2 weeks and said if it looks like he's not putting the weight on, they will deliver him early. So fingers crossed he gains some weight in the next couple of weeks!

    They want to deliver him early if he is too small?? Why wouldn't they let him stay in there and keep growing until he comes on his own? This seems bizarre to me, but I don't claim to be a Dr. I would seriously have some questions for my Dr though if they even suggested this.
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  • acgonzalez22acgonzalez22 member
    @sarajukugirl My sister delivered at 35 weeks because the baby was not growing. He was in the 5th percentile. Her placenta was not producing the best environment. Sometimes the baby being outside the womb ensures he will get all the proper nutrients for continued growth. My nephew was just shy of 4lbs and is a happy/healthy 4year old. Hang in there. Prayers your way.
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  • Lovemyboys0312Lovemyboys0312 member
    Miz_Liz said:


    sarajukugirl said:

    Thanks for the replies everyone. I went for the scan and they confirmed that the baby is small. Measuring the 9th percentile for weight at 3lbs 15ozs, however he is healthy and active with plenty of fluid around him and good blood flow from the cord. I was told that it's probably just in my genetics to grow small babies, and that as long as the baby is healthy which he appears to be, not to worry. However they have booked me in for another scan in 2 weeks and said if it looks like he's not putting the weight on, they will deliver him early. So fingers crossed he gains some weight in the next couple of weeks!





    They want to deliver him early if he is too small?? Why wouldn't they let him stay in there and keep growing until he comes on his own? This seems bizarre to me, but I don't claim to be a Dr. I would seriously have some questions for my Dr though if they even suggested this.

    IUGR possibly? A lot of times the babies who are IUGR grow faster and better outside of mom. I obvs don't know for sure, but it's the first thing I thought of
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  • Miz_LizMiz_Liz member
    Lovemyboys0312 said:
    sarajukugirl said:
    Thanks for the replies everyone. I went for the scan and they confirmed that the baby is small. Measuring the 9th percentile for weight at 3lbs 15ozs, however he is healthy and active with plenty of fluid around him and good blood flow from the cord. I was told that it's probably just in my genetics to grow small babies, and that as long as the baby is healthy which he appears to be, not to worry. However they have booked me in for another scan in 2 weeks and said if it looks like he's not putting the weight on, they will deliver him early. So fingers crossed he gains some weight in the next couple of weeks!

    They want to deliver him early if he is too small?? Why wouldn't they let him stay in there and keep growing until he comes on his own? This seems bizarre to me, but I don't claim to be a Dr. I would seriously have some questions for my Dr though if they even suggested this.
    IUGR possibly? A lot of times the babies who are IUGR grow faster and better outside of mom. I obvs don't know for sure, but it's the first thing I thought of

    Maybe...just seems odd they would say everything looks good and she just genetically has smaller babies and then proceed to say if he doesn't grow they will deliver him early. It is like they are saying - we aren't worried, but let's deliver him early anyway. I would just want more information if I was in her shoes. If there is a legit medical need, then of course I would do anything necessary for my baby, it just sounds odd to me. But again, not a doctor :)
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  • sarajukugirlsarajukugirl member
    I think the midwife meant that if the baby shows he hasn't put any weight on when I go back in 2 weeks, that it's probably in the baby's best interest to come out early. If he's no longer able to thrive in the womb, he would be better off delivered so he can gain the weight he needs to. So I can understand why they would suggest induction. I see where you're coming from though Miz Liz, if the baby isn't gaining weight towards the end, wouldn't that suggest a placental problem, and not a genetic thing? I will be asking more questions at my next growth scan, Like what are the risks to the baby if I decide to go full term and delivery naturally despite his low birth weight? Could he become ill or is it life-threatening if he's not growing and I decide to progress through my pregnancy naturally? These questions I haven't thought of until after the scan. After all, my son was born small at 39 weeks and never had a growth scan. However, he did go from low dependency to high due to his weight and also had an elevated heart rate during the labour. I want to avoid any risks if I can so I'll have to weigh the pros and cons. I also don't know how they will intend to induce me, if it will be by cesarean or if I will be able to have a vaginal birth. I'd like to avoid a section if I can, but doubtful they would advise a vaginal delivery with the baby being small. Hmm IUGR, I've heard about it but I'll have to read up on that info. Thanks guys!
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  • kettlekittenkettlekitten member
    sarajukugirl said:

    or if I will be able to have a vaginal birth. I'd like to avoid a section if I can, but doubtful they would advise a vaginal delivery with the baby being small. Hmm IUGR, I've heard about it but I'll have to read up on that info. Thanks guys!

    Just on IUGR, even though you're only speculating at this point - I had this with my first, basically the baby's growth plateaus at some point for whatever reason. Along with the small size I also had low fluid and deteriorating placenta (whatever they call that) so dr decided at around 34-35 weeks it would be best to deliver at 37 weeks. I was induced with prostaglandin gel on the cervix and had a vaginal birth.
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  • sarajukugirlsarajukugirl member
    I read up on IUGR last night and it really upset me and started to make me worry. Just reading that the risks of stillbirth and thinks like cerebral palsy go up with low birth babies with IUGR was enough to make me panic. However, From what I read I don't have any of the symptoms or conditions associated with IUGR. The midwife said that the baby looks healthy and happy in there, and just so happens to be on the small side for weight. Looking further into it, this baby is only 5oz smaller than the average of what he should be at the time which I don't think is that drastic. It's just hoping that he doesn't stop growing over the next couple of weeks and continues to put weight on. Until then I will be more vigilant with counting the kicks, although he is a super active baby and is always letting me know he's there :)
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  • mrsyoshidamrsyoshida member
    My fundal height was 5cm behind at 30w, yet my baby is totally on schedule for size and weight! So I'm not concerned.
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  • KBGowerKBGower member
    I had the same situation. I have been measuring 2 weeks behind the whole time. The doctor ordered a scan and basically said I will just have a small baby. People looked so shocked when I tell them I'm 8 months. He is healthy and developing fine, but he wants to induce at 38 weeks.
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  • aeondriftaeondrift member
     I measured 3-4 cm behind with my first baby, so they got me in for a growth check. It turned out that she was small, and I had to go in for a lot of ultrasounds to check her and the placenta, and non-stress tests. They had decided to induce me at 39 weeks, but I ended up going into labor naturally a few days before the induction date. My daughter was 5 lbs. 13 oz. when she was born and she's always had a problem gaining weight. She's 2 now and happy and healthy, but still skinny. I think it's just how her body is! 

    This time around, I measured 2 cm behind at my 30 week appointment. They had already decided to give me an extra growth scan months ago because my first baby was small (it's on July 6th). I certainly don't look 31 weeks pregnant (compared to what I've seen on here). 

    It could be that we just make small babies! As long as they check and they're gaining some, and the placenta looks good, I think it's fine. Hopefully everything will be okay and you won't have to deliver early.
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  • cbruner9cbruner9 member
    My first was only 5lbs 11oz when born two weeks over due date. Once again I am measuring small and have only gained ten pounds (I have not gained weight in over a month) and my doctor does not seemed concerned at all. Seeing all these extra growth scans makes me concerned for my own baby.
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  • sarajukugirlsarajukugirl member
    The thing is, I've gained 25 lbs already (I gained about 30 lbs at full term with my first) and everyone says I look bigger than before, and I certainly feel bigger. So I was surprised to hear that I was measuring small again. As long as the baby is big enough to take home right away, that's all I care about. My son was only a few ounces shy of the weight they would have let me go home with the same day. I was stuck in the hospital for 4 days so they could monitor his weight gain, and it was awful!
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  • amylianneamylianne member
    @kettlekitten were your 1st baby's lungs fully developed when you delivered?

    I'm now in this boat too. I went from measuring large to measuring small, and my weight gain has been much less than DS. They did a growth ultrasound 4 weeks ago and said DD was in the 50th percentile, then another today and she was in the 24th. Now I'm set for weekly BPP's and another growth scan in 3 weeks. If she hasn't really grown then, I'm afraid they will induce soon (since I'll be 37 weeks then). IUGR doesn't seem to make sense, so is failing placenta the next likely option? Google only seems to show IUGR and my Dr wasn't speculating much.

    @sarajukugirl keep us posted!
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  • Aja924Aja924 member
    Same deal with me. He was measuring in the 30th percentile 2 weeks ago when I was 33 weeks. I went yesterday and he was only in the 15th percentile. My Dr said they get worried if it is anything under the 10th percentile. I am on weekly sonos now so hopefully he puts on some weight by next week!
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  • kettlekittenkettlekitten member
    @amylianne sorry the mobile app doesn't notify me when someone tags me so I only saw this today. Yes, 1st baby's lungs were perfect, no breathing problems whatsoever. She only had mild jaundice but otherwise perfectly healthy.

    This baby is starting to look small too, on 10th percentile and measuring a little bit behind. I think he will cook longer though than baby #1. Im not ready for a new baby next week!!
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  • Kwest1007Kwest1007 member
    It sounds like you and your doc are on top of things and you have a good list of questions to ask! N from the posts above, it doesn't seem uncommon for women to have been induced if baby isn't growing enough; which can imply several doctors agree with this method. Glad to hear he's a happy and health baby and wish you two all the best in your upcoming weeks!
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