Small baby

rosieschmozie · December 2015

Hi all,

I've had my first scheduled growth scan today (which I have to have due to an auto-imune disease, and chance of baby not growing properly) and my baby came up small. Weighing 970 grams for 28 weeks. Measurements taken where also small, about 26.5 weeks. Ofcourse this is not a reason to freak out completely, but I was wondering if other moms are having a baby measuring small or maybe delivered a small baby. They want to keep scanning her every two weeks up till birth.

I'm also a bit under my curve on weight gain wise. My doctor said that there was nothing I was doing that causes this (no smoking etc) but now I'm wondering if this might have a correlation anyways?

Any helps, tips or experiences? I try not to worry too much, but... I do!

Much thanks!

kynbar5 · December 2015

Growth scans are notoriously off. I don't think I'd personally worry too much.

rosieschmozie · December 2015

Alright, that helps ha ha! Why do they them then?! Will try to relax, thanks

kynbar5 · December 2015

To be honest, my doctor has told me that he only notes a possible problem if the baby is looking to be extremely leaning in one direction or the other. A week or two, seems to be normal. That's my doctor and my pregnancies though. But no problem and I still wouldn't worry. If you're keeping food down and the doctor isn't acting super worried I'd just go with that.

cmerribury · December 2015

I would just focus on eating healthy and try not to worry about it too much. As @kynbar5 said, they can be off by a few weeks in measurements. Often people are told their babies are WAY under or WAY over and they arrive at a completely normal size.

jenniferamcooper · December 2015

Agree with other PPs!
I make small babies, my son was born at 41+4 and weighed 6.6lbs (had an IV push, probably would have been 6.3ish), with him I ate healthy but lost 15 lbs due to morning sickness and gained 10ish of those back. Baby girl was measuring at 18th percentile at 21 weeks. My doctor wasn't too worried, I've only gained 1lb so far but again doctors say everything is fine, I'm eating well (cutting out extra junk and wine is GREAT!), I'm overweight but not too much (205 and 5'8") so there's no reason for me to gain a ton. My doctor didn't talk numbers but basically said healthy diet and moderate exercise is all I need. I eat really healthy and walk 20 min to and from work daily and it seems to be my balence.
I'm sure you're baby will be great, they just like to keep an eye on them.

rosieschmozie · December 2015

Thank you for your reassuring comments! I lost about a couple of pounds in my first trimester too, as for 28 weeks I'm up 8 pounds, not nothing but just not a lot either. I am at a healthy weight. I do feel like I eat a lot compared to pre-pregnancy. Also my blood pressure is on the lower end (100/60) so I stopped exercising apart from my daily walking and biking. I'm just gonna keep in mind that the measurements apparently can be off and that a smaller baby can still mean a healthy baby! Not all is black and white

thank you ladies!

parenthood4 · December 2015

My second was tracked a lot for her growth, they thought she would be small. I had ultrasounds every two weeks and she was always around 20th percentile. As long as she didn't drop below 10th percentile, they weren't concerned.

She ended up weighing 7 lbs, 7 oz, so totally average size. At 20 months, she's on the small side, between 10-20th percentile, but perfectly healthy! She's just a peanut. Everyone always thinks she's an advanced little genius because she looks about 14-15 months

ehowa499 · December 2015

I wouldn't worry about an indvidual scan. As pp noted, they can be way off. It sounds like you and baby will be closely monitored so if there is a trend or baby's growth slows they will be on top of it.

jenniferamcooper · December 2015

My doctor always says someone has to be at the top and someone at the bottom. My son from 1 month to 1 year ranged between 2nd percentile and 12th percentile. He was breaking through physical and cognitive milestones (crawling at just 5 months and 2nd percentile!) so I was constantly reassured that all was well.
Trust me, at one end of the spectrum or the either you'll always be concerned about weight, food and poop!

FutureMrsCaesar · December 2015

I agree with everyone else, measuring 26.5 weeks at 28 is still well within the margin of error for ultrasounds. It's great he has you going every two weeks, the next few ultrasounds will give you a much better picture of what's going on. If she continues to measure approx 1.5 weeks behind (ex at 30 weeks she measures 28.5) then she's probably just a peanut and I don't think there's cause for concern whatsoever. I think the red flags come up when the baby continues to fall lower and lower on the growth curve.

I too will be monitored starting at 32 weeks for babys growth due to a pre-existing auto immune disorder. So I can understand your stress, but until you get another couple measurements under your belt I honestly would try not to worry too much. Are you and DH small by any chance? Some people just make tiny babies! And about the weight, I wouldn't stress about that either unless you were underweight to begin with. Not that this is 'scientific' but I gained the most weight with my smallest baby and the least weight with my biggest...so go figure!

MrsLeanMeanClean · December 2015

I have started my serial scans as well due to an autoimmune conditions . The specialist said they were more concerned that the baby was growing and that the placenta was growing and staying secure.

There is a wide range of healthy normal for babies so I wouldn't stress

rosieschmozie · December 2015

FutureMrsCaesar said:
I agree with everyone else, measuring 26.5 weeks at 28 is still well within the margin of error for ultrasounds. It's great he has you going every two weeks, the next few ultrasounds will give you a much better picture of what's going on. If she continues to measure approx 1.5 weeks behind (ex at 30 weeks she measures 28.5) then she's probably just a peanut and I don't think there's cause for concern whatsoever. I think the red flags come up when the baby continues to fall lower and lower on the growth curve.
I too will be monitored starting at 32 weeks for babys growth due to a pre-existing auto immune disorder. So I can understand your stress, but until you get another couple measurements under your belt I honestly would try not to worry too much. Are you and DH small by any chance? Some people just make tiny babies! And about the weight, I wouldn't stress about that either unless you were underweight to begin with. Not that this is 'scientific' but I gained the most weight with my smallest baby and the least weight with my biggest...so go figure!

Thank you! I was an 8 pound baby and my partner is 6'4 (197 cm) tall

I think he had a normal weight at birth, but he was already tall! I stayed short though (5'4 or 164 cm) and I started my pregnancy in the healthy weight range. I must say I feel a lot better reading all of your comments and I am just going to remind myself that al these extra scans are it all to minimise risk and keep things in check. She's moving a lot, so that's good! And so funny to read that you gained the most with your smallest and the least with your biggest ha ha!

rosieschmozie · December 2015

Oh and @FutureMrsCaesar what kind of auto-imune disease do you have? I have Sjögren syndrome and RA, which can both cause placenta and growth problems.

rosieschmozie · December 2015

MrsLeanMeanClean said:
I have started my serial scans as well due to an autoimmune conditions . The specialist said they were more concerned that the baby was growing and that the placenta was growing and staying secure.

There is a wide range of healthy normal for babies so I wouldn't stress

Thanks

I have the same: a risk of the placenta not developing propperly. What kind of auto-imune disease do you have? Good luck to you too!

MrsLeanMeanClean · December 2015

rosieschmozie said:

MrsLeanMeanClean said:
I have started my serial scans as well due to an autoimmune conditions . The specialist said they were more concerned that the baby was growing and that the placenta was growing and staying secure.

There is a wide range of healthy normal for babies so I wouldn't stress
Thanks I have the same: a risk of the placenta not developing propperly. What kind of auto-imune disease do you have? Good luck to you too!

MCTD... The RA and sjorens seem to be the most irritating issues atm and my organs are quietly minding their own business... I think I have been one of the lucky 30% where pregnancy has calmed it... or I am responding well to the higher dse of plaquinel I started right before my BFP

Cassie57 · December 2015

My first baby was on the smaller side, but was 6.7 at 39 weeks. Baby 2 is measuring even smaller and I am on two week scans too to track her growth. When we first went to the specialist they tried scaring us and give us worst case scenarios, but my gut tells me I just make small babies. Try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy, and think of it as you just get extra bonding time with the baby with all the extra pictures

rosieschmozie · December 2015

Thanks @Cassie57. I don't know why doctors would do that?! I mean, they tell you their concern, then tell you not to stress and when you say you're stressed they say that's even worse for babies growth! Too bad the hospital appointments take about 3 hours start to finish, but it is fun to see more of her! Good luck with your 'small' baby as well

jenniferamcooper · December 2015

@cassie57 I make small babies (my doctor jokes about this all the time!) and if a doctor told me there could be something wrong without evidence and not conjecture I'd loose my shiz. Good thing my GP knows this

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