Baby Measuring Small - any experience with this?

himolly88 · January 2019

Hi ladies, I've had a pretty uneventful pregnant thus far but did have to go back yesterday (30 weeks) for an ultrasound to see if my placenta had moved as it was low at the anatomy scan. It did move but baby is measuring small so now I must go see the high risk doctor at the practice. I'm trying not to freak out but I have very little info about this and am of course concerned about long term health risks associated with this. Anyone else experiencing this now or with a previous pregnancy? I'm trying not to google too much but did just read a low placenta can contribute to a baby measuring small. Any insight and encouragement is appreciated.

mrstmoose · January 2019

Each baby is it's own size, no two babies grow the same (if that makes sense). Did you doctor have any concerns about the growth of the baby? Usually (and I'm not a medical professional), that as long as the baby continues to grow, they are ok. It's if they stop growing that the concerns increase.

FWIW, I have a complete placenta previa and LO is measuring on track.

mermaidca · January 2019

@himolly88 I wrote out a whole thing about my last pregnancy and IUGR that was discovered at 18 weeks. But it doesn't really apply to this situation and I think would only make you worry more. Mine was an extreme case.

My fingers are crossed for you that your LO keeps growing and stays cooking in there!! You'll have lots more ultrasounds to monitor baby's growth. Ask lots of questions at your appointment with the high risk doctor. They should be able to let you know when they expect baby to come or when a c-section might be necessary. This is what they do and they are making sure baby is in the best care possible. I agree you should try not to google, I know that's hard but there are so many different scenarios and cases that it just gets confusing and more worrisome. Keep us updated and let us know how it goes!

s_montgomery · January 2019

No placenta previa, but my baby is measuring small as well. I count it as a good thing for delivery.

My ob was worried when, after my 20 week ultrasound, she saw that my baby's head was in the 11th percentile and she was also in the 20s for overall growth.
She had me come in a week later to look at the heart again and I went in at 25 weeks to re-check measurements because she was concerned about the umbilical cord not functioning properly. My baby's head was in the 18th percentile and overall was still in the 20s by 25 weeks so she attributed the percentages to genetics- that's just how my baby is going to be. Cord is fine and no blood flow issues.

I would say if your ob is sending you to High Risk, she is doing her due diligence as an OB doctor and shows she's caring for you and the health of your baby. If there are any issues, they will find out, and you should receive the best care possible. I'm glad your ob is sending you because to me that shows she is invested in making sure your pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. I hope that there are no issues and your baby is perfectly healthy and safe. ❤
Keep us updated!

himolly88 · January 2019

Thanks for the comments...
@mrstmoose They said everything looks "fine" just "measuring small" but we'll be having another ultrasound soon.
@mermaidca Yes I'm concerned about IUGR but don't know anything about it. I know the baby is growing - I'm growing - and am going to try to stay positive and not google and I appreciate your comments as I will now definitely refrain from more "research." I'm not sure what questions to ask but I do always leave my apts wishing I had more info.
mighty_montgomery I agree they are doing their due diligence which is comforting and I'm just so eager to get in there and see the high risk doctor and get some info and answers. There weren't any concerns with my other scans and I think my fundal height has been good, so I'm hoping baby is just a little on the small side and there's nothing serious going on.

I will keep you all updated.

chrissdee · January 2019

Every pregnancy is different, but my first daughter was IUGR (growth restricted) and measured consistently small throughout the last trimester. We did extra growth scans and biophysical profiles every two weeks from 32 weeks on to make sure she was doing ok, and my OB recommended I be induced at 38 weeks (we were able to keep her in a bit longer than originally anticipated). She was just over 5lbs at birth (4th percentile in both height and weight) but we had a quick and uneventful delivery and she was healthy, besides neonatal hypoglycemia, which I'm told is very common in smaller babies. She did have to stay in the NICU for 6 days until she could regulate her blood sugar on her own but ended up growing really quickly and was very healthy.

This baby is currently measuring "on the small side of normal" at 21st percentile, but they don't start getting concerned about IUGR until they're at or below 10%. (At least at my OB practice.) We are doing another growth scan at 32 weeks and will be doing the biophysical profiles again because I have gestational hypertension which puts me at a greater risk of baby being growth restricted again. I'm glad that my doctors are being proactive and monitoring closely just in case.

Sounds like your doctor's doing the right thing to be diligent regarding you and your baby's care. Like I said, each pregnancy is different. Don't stress out over it, just follow your doctor's recommendations for now until they know a little more.

himolly88 · January 2019

Thanks chrissdee that's really helpful and sounds like what I imagine my situation to be though I'm still lacking details.
So you were induced and still delivered vaginally (if you don't mind me asking)?
And from my limited knowledge seems IUGR doesn't mean any long lasting health problems or failure to thrive... Is that consistent with what you know?
Wishing you and your next little babe the best.

snowhite12 · January 2019

@himolly88 I have a low lying anterior placenta. My LO is also measuring on the small side but the measurements have been consistent since week 12. My OB doesn't seem worried at all. I do know how you feel about resisting to Google, both of my previous pregnancies I have measured a few days ahead so this is new for me.

kosmo86 · January 2019

I was induced early with DD at 38 weeks due to IUGR. She was perfectly fine and healthy but tiny. She was in the 10-15% for height & Weight and head was < 3%. I had a growth ultrasound today and this baby is in the 20% for height and weight and < 3% for the head. so we are in the same boat as last time. But I am a tiny person and I create tiny people, I will end up having a growth scan every couple of weeks and possibly have my repeat C-section at 38 weeks but we will see. Overall I am not worried.

thatbaintforbetty · January 2019

My DD was born the night before her due date 5lbs 14oz which is definitely below normal ranges for that gestational age. She was perfectly healthy at birth and has had no issues due to her birth size. My docs last time never said anything about her size or gave me any percentages, but that might have been because I was already being overseen by high risk specialists for gestational diabetes.

This time baby is measuring at 48th percentile and my docs this time (which are different) are saying possible IUGR with DD and therefore IUGR risk with this one. But I’m already being monitored for gestational diabetes again so it’s something they are just taking note of and watching.

I was not a big baby, my DH was not a big baby, I think we just make small babies.

If it does turn out to be an issue then you are having all the right things done. But I wouldn’t borrow trouble since baby is growing and doing well. Doctor google will unnecessarily scare the crap out you 9 times out 10.

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

My baby is also small. My doctor didn't seem overly concerned but I do weekly ultrasounds in February to keep an eye on her

himolly88 · February 2019

Thanks for sharing snowhite12, kosmo86, thatbaintforbetty & stefanielyn1991.
All of your experiences help. Monday's Dr apt feels ages away!
I know my belly is growing and fundal height has been on track and I feel baby moving a lot, so trying not to worry too much but it is really difficult when there are unknowns. I'm supposed to do LaMaze class this weekend might try to postpone... don't want to do the class and find out Monday I'm likely to have an early cesarian or something. Hmmmm....

emeraldisle17 · February 2019

hi all - how are you getting measurements for your baby? Ultrasounds? My doctor didn't mention anything about baby's size after my 20 week scan, and since then they've just measured my fundal height which they say has been on track. Should I be asking about baby's size or percentile? My next appt. isn't until 2/18 at 32 weeks.

I also have a low-lying placenta that was identified at my 20 week scan, and they said they would check in on it again at my 36 week birth plan ultrasound. This thread is making me nervous that it might be too late to identify if the baby is too small or a possible IUGR...

I tend to agree that if your Dr's isn't concerned I shouldn't be either, but I do find it interesting that other people seem to have more info. As a FTM I'd want to know if my doc should be providing info that I don't have.

MRDCle · February 2019

@emeraldisle87 your fundal height should be able to give your doc an idea of if the baby is growing slowly. They should be able to tell with the US at 32 weeks. If they didn't mention the baby measuring small at your AS I would try not to worry about it.

professormama · February 2019

@emeraldisle87 if your baby is measuring small, they'll let you know. If they aren't telling you, then it's almost certainly safe to assume things are on track and fine.

When I was pregnant with my first, my fundal height was behind and I started developing gestational hypertension, so they started doing frequent growth scans and sent me to a MFM. There was some worry about the baby's stomach measuring small (as an indicator of IUGR), but I was induced because of hypertension before I could go back for my next measurement. Baby was born 3 weeks early at 5lbs 15oz, which, given that he was 3 weeks early was a completely respectable weight. All this is to say that even with ultrasounds and growth scans, it can be very hard to get an accurate picture of baby's size / weight. So, it can be really scary and worrying to hear about IUGR, but just know that even with all the different measurements and scans, they often are just guessing and trying to do their best. For me, there were still problems (namely, hypertension), but my baby was doing just fine.

mermaidca · February 2019

@emeraldisle87 Don't borrow trouble. If the doctors haven't said anything I wouldn't worry. They catch the growth restrictions from your fundal measurement and the ultrasound measurements. I had 2 tiny, itty bitty babies last time and I don't bother asking about their percentile or whatever this time because if there was an issue they would tell me. Doctors don't play around with this sort of thing.
Easier said than done, but try not to worry!

Keep us updated after Monday's appointment @himolly88!

himolly88 · February 2019

@emeraldisle87 I am echoing the "you don't need to worry." I went in for a scan at 30 weeks to look at the placenta, all had been normal so far, including my fundal height. They called me after that scan to say the baby was measuring small. I suppose if my placenta hadn't been low I never would have known as I would not have been scheduled for another ultrasound - unless my fundal height started falling behind I suppose?! I think there may be some connections to low placenta and smaller baby though but I'm pretty much speculating. I don't know what percentile the baby is and hope to find out Monday but I never would have been told if she wasn't small... I was only told up to that point "all good."
So there is nothing you need to do, you're monitored for this stuff and like most it isn't a problem for you and if it becomes a problem the doctor will call you and follow up, as they did in my case.

lyse01 · February 2019

Echoing everyone else and adding that the only times I’ve ever known the %s for my babies is when the ultrasound tech leaves them up on the screen and I catch it before they move on.

emeraldisle17 · February 2019

Thanks all! Reassuring for sure.

@lyse01 LOL - eagle eyes!! Love it.

MRDCle · February 2019

This is kind of off-topic for the post, but if anyone is interested, you CAN request your US reports. I have all of mine since there are so many things to keep an eye out for with twins. I can't say it'll be reassuring for everyone (it is for me) but it's YOUR test result and you are allowed access to those results.

thatbaintforbetty · February 2019

@emeraldisle87 with DD they guessed 7lbs + a couple days before she born based on ultrasound. (Which is a perfectly normal size and it’s also normal for ultrasounds to be off a bit) With this one I think they are only talking possibilities and risk because her size in relation to the GD is an anomaly when adding in DDs size. And I only know the % because I have a copy of the anatomy scan report. 48th percentile is probably perfectly fine outside of my other factors. I think the severity of my GD and history is a factor in birth size for me.

But generally with most things it’s no news is good news. If they don’t mention it there isn’t a need to worry about it.

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

I get my ultrasound reports through mychart. Is that not common? And they know my baby is small because I have biweekly and then weekly ultrasounds. I definitely woikdnt worry of they havent mentioned it though and I'm sure they woild have by now. Weve known she's been behind for awhile

honey_suckle · February 2019

@himolly88 one of our twins just got classified as 'small' I just posted about it in the random thread. I think there are other reasons/concerns when it comes to twins though, but I feel your worry. Hugs!

himolly88 · February 2019

Hugs to you too @honey_suckle !

himolly88 · February 2019

Thanks again for the support everyone! I had a good apt today. They did another anatomy scan - the tech was great and shared a lot of info with me. They said everything looks good/normal and baby is measuring 48th percentile so they're not sure why I was referred. I didn't expect that good of news so I'm feeling really happy and relieved. Also impressed with how much they can know and monitor and even if she had been small, we'd be in good hands keeping an eye on it.

jayhawkmom4 · February 2019

@himolly88 Fantastic news!

s_montgomery · February 2019

@himolly88 Congratulations on the good news!! 🎉🎉🎊

mermaidca · February 2019

Always better safe than sorry. I'm glad they checked it out and all sounds well!

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

Yay! I'm glad it's good news

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

Hey ladies are you still here? Baby is measuring in the 17th percentile amd they are saying her head is measuring small. I have to do a nst next week. I'm so anxious. Any other small baby mamas going though this?

chrissdee · February 2019

@stefanielyn1991 I haven't gone through that specifically. With DD1, she was IUGR but proportionately small at about 4th-5th percentile all around. As of my 28 week growth scan, this little once was in the 21st percentile but the femur was measuring smaller. I'll have another growth scan next Friday at 32 weeks and will hopefully know a little more then.

I know it's easier said than done, but try to not stress over it too much. Measurements of inside babies are not exact. It's a good thing that they're keeping an eye on it and going ahead with the NST. Sounds like you're in good hands. Thinking of you and your little one!

himolly88 · February 2019

stefanielyn1991 hope all goes well as you pursue this further. What I experience taught me these measurements are often wrong and it is good to check things out more but it's MOST likely A-OK. But the waiting and inevitable worrying is no fun.

honey_suckle · February 2019

@stefanielyn1991 I've been doing several nst with my twins because one of them is measuring small, and it's not such a stressful procedure, it just takes a little while, and if the baby moves around a lot (like mine were) it can be useful to have another person there to help hold the little sensors on the belly in place to record the heart beat. Good luck with everything!

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

Thank you guys. I'm trying not to worry but that's definitely not easy. I'll keep you and your babies in my prayers

kaitykins · February 2019

My fundal height went from measuring a few days ahead to a full cm behind over two weeks. So I have a growth ultrasound today... we will see what’s up.

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

@kbirchtree sending good vibes that everything is ok!

kaitykins · February 2019

Thanks @stefanielyn1991

his measurements are all on point but I have to wait until Tuesday-ish to hear back about fluid amounts and anything else. It was fun to see him again though, and know 100% he is a boy haha.

stefanielyn1991 · February 2019

I'll keep you in my prayers and hope Tuesday is good news. I still dont know whats going on with my baby I'm thinking she's fine just happens to be a small baby.

Baby Measuring Small - any experience with this?

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