Belly is small but baby is large

lalabree · January 2016

Two weeks ago at 32 weeks 1 day I went for a doctors appointment and when they measured my belly my midwife became concerned because I was measuring small and she was afraid baby girl wasn't growing and was to small and so she called for an ultrasound. When they measured by ultrasound the ultrasound tech was confused at why the midwife thought the baby was small because by the ultrasound the baby was actually measuring big at 4lbs 14oz! So I went on Monday at 34 weeks 1 day for my appointment and my other midwife came in and when she measured my stomach she also called for a ultrasound because I again measured small at around 31cm. So they done a very long ultrasound measuring everything and again baby girl measured pretty big at 5lbs 10oz and 6 days ahead of her due date of Feb 21st! The tech and midwife both said she was a large baby during the ultrasound. I was pretty scared with how in depth they went with the ultrasound and I asked them if something was wrong and she assured me everything was fine but they would be doing an ultrasound at every appointment from now on and that I could possibly from the size of the baby have a several weeks early.. Has anyone else had this happen and what did it mean for you? Why am I measuring small but the baby's large and what does this mean for me and why are they watching it so closely? Is this something I should be worried about? I wish I had asked them more questions but it was one of those times I was worried and went blank and then thought of a million questions after I had left

Shortcircuit1984 · January 2016

I'm measuring normal but my baby is measuring really large. Doctor said that his head is low because he's probably long and doesn't have anywhere to go and that's why my belly probably isn't as big- because his head is in my pelvic area- not sure I completely understood. But, It probably is just her position, no? I would care more about how she's measuring in the ultrasound than how your belly is with measuring tape.

mommaz1 · January 2016

I'm in the same boat. Our last ultrasound at 28 weeks, he was measuring ahead by a full 8 days. Last week at my 34 week appointment, my belly measured at 31. My MW wasn't concerned and said that I had had some good growth since my last visit. No follow up ultrasounds. If you had a good set of abs before pregnancy and if this is your first, there's a good chance you'll be smaller. The size of your belly truly doesn't indicate the size of the baby. Some women carry small with large babies and others carry bigger with tiny babies, it just depends on your build and your body! Good luck!

Latina211508 · January 2016

How you carry baby (belly size) does not determine the size of the baby. I have been very small with all my pregnancies. Everyone thought I carried little 5 lb babies. All my kids were over 8 lbs and people were always surprised. With past pregnancies my OB was never concerned. As long as baby is healthy I wouldn't worry about it.

cMichelle0423 · January 2016

Ultrasounds are notorious for being off by up to two lbs either way. Definitely unreliable.

With my first pregnancy, they had me do a few extra ultrasounds because my LO was measuring "small". They told me that by the time he was born, he wouldn't weigh more than 6 lbs, if that. He was 7 lbs 4 oz......

SoSweetTea1124 · January 2016

Are you referring to your fundal height being much further behind then your baby? Fundal height should pretty much follow in centimeters the amount of weeks pregnant you are. I can see where they would be concerned, but if everything checks out in your ultrasounds I wouldn't worry. Also, late stage ultrasounds are very unreliable as far as accurate measurements.

22snc12 · January 2016

I measure small for both this pregnancy and with my son. I have a long torso, as well. When I was pregnant with my son they did a growth scan at 40 weeks, because I measured 36 weeks at 40 weeks. He was estimated to be 8lbs 9oz at that growth scan and 6 days later was actually born at 8lbs 8oz. I've already had one growth scan this pregnancy for measuring small and on Monday if I'm still measuring small or measuring the same as this week they will do another. The first growth scan showed her to be in 50%, so average for how far along I was. I expect the same this time! Ultrasounds can be off like pp have said, and also your body type and how you carry affects your "measurement."

themommabee · January 2016

I had a similar situation at 32 weeks. Fundal height was a little small so they sent me for an ultrasound to measure baby and results had baby right on track, in 45% for size. At my next appointment, fundal height was back on track and Doctor said that the small fundal height measurement was probably due to the position of the baby that particular day and s/he was hanging out down low in my pelvis that day. She said it was actually a good thing because if the baby can tuck itself down in there, it bodes well for the ability to get the baby through the pelvis during delivery.

miss071311 · January 2016

my fundal height can be as much as 5cm off the week I am on one week and can be right on track the next. it depends on how the baby is positioned in your belly. if your doctor/midwife don't seem worried about it, you shouldn't be worried about it. babies come in all different sizes and hang out in the womb in all different positions.

Want a personalized experience?

Belly is small but baby is large

Re: Belly is small but baby is large

Choose Another Board

Search Boards