small baby and possible induction

kosmo86 · August 2016

Ok so I am not one to normally make a new thread for myself but I could use some support.

Last week doctor asked for a growth scan because I am measuring small. Today was the scan and after the longest appt ever then baby is measuring much smaller than expected and is less than the 10 percentile. The cord is measuring on time so she says the baby is still getting all the nutrition she needs but may have run out of room to grow. Overall she looked good, she was just small. They said that they will likely induce between 38-39 weeks and I will be 38 weeks friday!!

Queue to freak out. Even though she told me there isn't much I can do or could have done and it could be just because I am small and DH is small ( I am only 4'11 and petite) I still kind of feel like a failure. I had one job to grow this human. Ok I guess that's enough of a pity party and I need to go put on my big girl panties.

RG1 · August 2016

I'm sorry you are feeling guilty over this. I'm sure I would have the same reaction. If you are both small, it sounds like it could just be from genetics like she said. I'm glad the baby looks good otherwise! That is a great sign that you've done what you needed to do. You get to meet your babe soon! Very exciting!

ruemcclanahan · August 2016

You are not a failure! You have done everything you could have and if this is the best for your baby girl then it's what's best.

if she is getting enough nutrition I'm sure she will be fine when she comes out and I can't wait to see her.

mhilpisch10 · August 2016

Oh man! That is tough. At least your doctor is on top of it. You have done a great job! Baby will be ready to be on the outside at that point. Try to look at the positives and we will all hope for the best!

mrsvoorhees-2 · August 2016

You did though!! You did grow this baby! And now she's at a point that she just can't grow anymore in you, so you will continue to grow her outside. You did great, mama!!

rock1cherry · August 2016

Aw I'm sorry you feel this way about her size. I bet it's normal considering you're smaller yourself. Sounds like the doctor is happy about what she's able to get nutrition wise so hopefully she will come out just fine! And congrats - that's so soon!!

RedMar · August 2016

Thinking and praying for you!! I also was measuring small, so i can feel your pain! You're doing a great job growing that baby, don't think any different. Andddd feel free to vent here anytime!

asht · August 2016

Honestly at 4'11" you are going to have a smaller baby. However I am surprised if baby is small they would t want to let it have more time. That said ultrasounds can be off significantly on size so don't be too worried.

yellowrose314 · August 2016

Aww mama, I can't imagine that kind of guilt, but I think your doctor said it all, there's nothing you could have done to change this. Your body is your body and even babies have to work in the confines of that biology, but you know what, it's ok to have a pity party too! We'll support you either way. I bet you did a fantastic job at growing that tiny human, and in a week or so you get to see him or her!

Tippy05 · August 2016

Small doesn't mean unhealthy. Sounds like you did a great job growing that baby and the fact that you're petite just means baby is done. You made it to 38 weeks and your doctor doesn't sound concerned about her health so there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Congrats Mama! You'll have that baby here in no time! Yay!

PSUBecky23 · August 2016

No guilt! Growing baby until 38 or 39 weeks is great! You did exactly what you were supposed to do.

JennM205 · August 2016

I can see how all of this is overwhelming all of a sudden but the good news is that you get to meet your baby girl soon! Even if she's a little on the smaller size, if your doctor thinks she's still getting good nutrition she'll continue to grow until whenever you are induced and then she will just be growing on the outside!

You've done great; I hope with time your guilt wanes. We'll be thinking of you!

kosmo86 · August 2016

Thanks for all the support ladies, trying to let this all sink in and it is pretty surreal.

@asht I thought the same thing! Apparently if the baby is small at this point then they believe that she probably won't have room to keep growing (or whatever reason might be stopping her from growing) so I guess she has a better chance of growing bigger on the outside.

VeraMali · August 2016

My SIL is the same size as you and her husband is small as well. Her doctor pushed her to eat and gain as much as possible but still thought baby was measuring small and made her induce at 39 weeks. He came out over 6 pounds and was still a chubby, Roly poly baby just small sized. We joked that he looked like one of those perfectly proportioned miniature baby dolls. He was perfectly healthy though and still is today at 18 months old, just still on the short side

AnnaS930 · August 2016

You've done an awesome job! If baby is cramped then you grew your baby to its fullest potential and they will, like all babies, grow once they are earth side too.

tinypikachu · August 2016

I'm no doctor but the fact that you're both short/petite is definitely a big factor in this just being a genetically smaller baby, which is totally normal! Also, if your umbilical cord measured well, then your body did what it needed to do so your body did grow your baby well. Add in the fact that they are not inducing right away as can happen in cases of IUGR and that would just tell me that this is just a normally smaller LO, not a matter of your body! Guilt is so hard to deal with, especially as a parent, and even when we are not the ones at fault. I'd say to relax and enjoy this last week of nesting and wonderfully amazing pregnancy symptoms before you get the happiest day of your life. I can't wait to see her!

jbscmama · August 2016

You've got this mama!! Great job up until now and you'll get to meet the little one so soon!!!

nativetexan512 · August 2016

Keep us posted on the induction date! It's great that you've gotten to 38 weeks with this little one - release yourself from the guilt!!

camichael84 · August 2016

I'm sorry you feel bad, and I'm sure it's going to take time to adjust to everything, but you've done a great job growing your baby. It sounds like this is just your baby's genetics. You'll be holding her soon, and she will continue to grow once she's here!

618mom22boys · August 2016

I'm also measuring small, 5% (IUGR). I'm guessing I will be delivering next week at 37 weeks.

With that being said all my boys have been small, biggest was 5lbs 2oz. And for me they thrive once they are out of the womb.

Don't feel guilty. Sometimes these things just happen!

Flowr4246 · August 2016

First of all, do not feel guilty. Small does not equal unhealthy. And at 4'11" yourself, you can't expect that you'd grow anything overly big. You're doing great!
That said, I'm really curious about why they would be inducing you early if your baby is small... Wouldn't they want her to have as much time in utero as possible?

SLou24 · August 2016

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling guilty about this, but please know that you have done nothing wrong!! You've grown this baby to 38 weeks and you've given her all of the nutrients and love she needed, now she just needs to meet the world! I know not feeling guilty/worrying is much easier said than done, so please take it easy and take care of yourself, and know we are all here for you!

Sporty1216 · August 2016

I am there with you! Baby girl had been measuring small since the anatomy scan. And I'm 5'6" and DH is 6'4". LO was always in the 90th percentile. So I was used to having a huge baby. Having a small one is stressful! But my docs have also reiterated that the placenta and cord are functioning well and that someone has to have the small babies! I have had a lot of people share great stories with me of having little babies that grew and thrived just fine after birth. Here's to both of our little ones joining the ranks of those success stories! Hang in there, mama. You are doing a great job!

steminist · August 2016

Nothing new to add, but wanted to put in my support, too! Like you said, you and DH are not big people, and your OB seems basically unconcerned. Growing a baby to 38 weeks and doing everything you know you're supposed to do is a victory!

RG1 · August 2016

@flowr4246 I have an umbilical cord issue where there is only one artery as opposed to 2. This could restrict blood flow to the baby so we've had extra growth scans. I've been told all along if he's measuring small by 36 weeks, they'd want me to deliver early because he would "grow better outside the womb than inside". So I'm assuming that's the same logic here!

katiey23 · August 2016

I think most mamas would feel guilty because we like to think we can control everything but there is nothing you did! Treat yourself like you would your best friend! I had a cousin induced because baby was measuring small and they didn't think he had the room to grow- he was a tiny 5lb baby but didn't need NICU and has done swimmingly on the outside!

Flowr4246 · August 2016

@RG1 Ahh, that makes total sense. I missed that part of the story before.
And my initial commentary still stands - You've done everything you can and your LO is growing to the best of nature's ability. Don't beat yourself up and just enjoy the experience of bringing a beautiful baby into the world.

kosmo86 · August 2016

Thanks ladies for all the support. You guys rock! Today I woke up feeling a little more confident and excited. Can't believe in about a week I will have a baby!

Cricket Bug · August 2016

You've done a great job, please don't beat yourself up. Small doesn't mean not healthy! It is good that they are planning to keep her that way, and playing it safe with the induction plans. The world needs people of all sizes.

SuperFudge00 · August 2016

Coming late, but want to add my support. You ARE growing your perfect little human. I'm sure you and your provider will make the best decision for all of you and I'm excited for you to meet your squish soon!

ansley0319 · August 2016

@kosmo86 DONT FEEL THIS WAY. I had to have a special ultrasound because I was measuring small and I felt so guilty about it until they told me how it's just in proportion to my body and genetics of me and my average (short) size husband, everyone is different and its impossible for everyone's babies to be the same size. Making it to 38 weeks means your body did great things for your baby this pregnancy. I have been calling my baby shrimp and little squirt for a bit now and just keep saying that if he is small that we will have plenty of time to nourish him and his growth after birth (AKA fatten him up.)

You'll see when your baby is born how perfect they are, even if they are small to begin with !

Kimmy717 · August 2016

Im sorry you got sucker punched with that disappointing news. Do not feel bad you did a great job and it isnt something to feel shameful about.
I feel what youre going through though. We are both due on the same date, so i will be 38w friday also. At my dr apt yesterday baby girl was only measuring 36w...im having an ultrasound next wed, if we make it to that point, to check her growth. I am only 5'5, my SO is 6'1 so It definitely put me on edge thinking i didnt do something right. But i have been told everything has looked great my whole pregnancy until now, so close to the end...so i totally understand how you are feeling, but we can do this!

MammaJams · August 2016

I'm right there with you. Currently 34+6 along and my baby has been measuring small since the anatomy scan. I've had two follow up growth scans since then and each time she is still behind. First they were concerned because her head was measuring small, about a week behind her body, now at just under 35 weeks she is measuring two weeks behind. They don't really have any answers for me either, as far as the cause. Could be genetics, could be my placenta is failing, who knows. It's so upsetting and I feel so helpless. I go back in three weeks for another ultrasound at 37 weeks and if she hasn't improved or has stopped growing I will be induced that day. Now I'm just freaking out all day worrying if she's moving enough and if she's okay.

UnwritteN12 · August 2016

Nothing new to add but wanted to add my support. You've done a fantastic job growing her! She'll just be a petite little thing. ♡ On the plus side, just think, you're that much closer to holding your LO and getting tons of snuggles!

kosmo86 · August 2016

Well it is offical. I am being induced on tueday at 5!!! AHHH so surreal. I. Can't. Even.

UnwritteN12 · August 2016

*insert squeal of excitement here* So excited for you!!!

MammaJams · August 2016

Oh my goodness! That's exciting! I'll be induced on the 6th of September if no growth is happening over here. Good luck to you!!!

Kimmy717 · August 2016

whatttttttttttttt. now here comes that christmas eve "anxiety" feeling LOL but that is great, also one of my Aunt's bdays. Good Luck!!!!!!!

jensou · August 2016

@kosmo86 I was induced yesterday and one of the reasons was restricted growth. Not because my belly didn't have the room but bc my placenta wasn't efficient anymore due to hypertension. I felt guilty about it too. I was afraid I'd have this freakishly small baby and that it was my fault for having high BP and I had just laid off the chips when I was craving them....

Long story short - she's fine. And definitely thin but thriving. My other kids, who are all teens now, were on the small side of their growth charts at times. I had to remind myself that somebody has to be on the low end for it to be a proper distributive curve. And it's ok if it's my child that brings the balance to it!

Also, I think sometimes "the more they look the more they find" can make a momma a little neurotic. I never had any of these extra tests w my other kids and comparatively the third tri was much less worrisome for me. It's good Drs have all the tests and scans, etc but sometimes I think it leads us to worry when things are outside of our control like this.

One huge benefit of being induced is that you don't have to keep going through the "false alarms" of labor. You just show up!

jensou · August 2016

Wifi is awful at hospital and regular phone signal is weak. I posted ^^^ yesterday (so I thought). Glad you have a date @kosmo86 and @MammaJams I hope your next scan goes well.

mom2adoodle · August 2016

Do NOT feel like a failure. I know it's hard not to. I completely empathize feeling guilty and down that my body could not keep my baby in longer. The feeling that I failed him comes in waves. It's totally normal. Mommy guilt at its finest. If it helps you feel better- Fin was born at 34 weeks and is now doing amazingly well. Keeping you in my thoughts!

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