27 Weeks Pregnant and Baby Measuring 5 Days Behind

Infant measuring small for dates – what it actually ways

What does it hateful if your baby is measuring small for your dates? Here's what you need to know if a midwife or doctor says your baby's looking small afterward your fundal elevation's been measured/you've had a growth scan…

Published: February 6, 2019 at 9:30 am

In a nutshell

Your infant measuring small for your dates means that your baby's size is a little smaller than what's considered average for the stage of your pregnancy.

However, you lot should endeavor your best not to worry. These measurements don't necessarily mean your baby volition have a low nativity weight, or that there's anything wrong with your baby'due south health.

Easier said than washed, we know! Hopefully, this article will help ease some of the worries you accept…

How is my unborn baby's size measured?

Your baby'southward size is checked past your midwife measuring your bump (called 'fundal superlative') during a bank check-up.

If they remember you're measuring small for your dates, you'll likely be asked to get for what's known as a wellbeing or growth browse.

What do the experts say about babies measuring small?

If you're due to accept a scan because your baby's measured small, rest bodacious: the large majority of scans will exist absolutely fine!

Professor Basky Thilganathan, a Consultant Obstetrician and spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) also wants to make information technology clear that almost small babies are totally good for you, and that size is only used to assistance medical pros keep an centre on the baby'southward wellbeing.

"Most women who take a minor baby or a big baby are having a healthy small infant or large babe," he tells MFM. "Part of the assessment of the scan is to look at the wellbeing of the baby irrespective of the size.

"Information technology usually involves something called the dopplar assessment, so that'due south a blood flow assessment, looking at the amniotic fluid effectually the baby, etc. Again, this is virtually the wellbeing of the baby irrespective of the size.

"The reason that is important [to note] is that most minor babies are perfectly healthy. Most unhealthy babies are not usually minor, either.

"Even though in that location is an association between being pocket-size and having problems, that association is quite weak. It is used as a signal for us to determine who needs special tests."

"Often the scans are fine," stresses MFM'due south resident GP, Dr Philippa Kaye, too. "Essentially, if the baby is smaller than expected, they then check the blood flow in the placenta."

Only in rare cases will in that location be something not quite right with the placenta. In that case, you lot'd monitored with more scans – and go from in that location.

MFM mums share stories about their babies measuring small

Unsurprisingly, this is a Big talking point on our forum. Loads of our MFMers have been told they're measuring small for a variety of reasons – i of which is the fact they had small or petite bumps.

Reassuringly, well-nigh of them found that their baby's actual weights were higher than the estimates from scans.

"I was told I was measuring small at 38 weeks," says forumlady. "I was scanned at 38+4 and was told the infant had stopped growing and would be 5lb 10oz.

"I was to be induced at 38+v and so went home and rushed to the shops to buy newborn sizes… he was 6lb 12.5oz when built-in at 39 and he's certainly not small now. five months and well-nigh 17lb!"

"Please don't worry (I know information technology's difficult)," advises wannanother. "I went through this exact thing with my daughter (1st kid) who is 3yrs now.

'Everyone idea I was but about six/7 months when I was just about due, I had a small bump and anytime I saw a new consultant or midwife I was rushed for a scan because I was small-scale for dates.

"They thought perhaps my placenta wasn't feeding the baby properly and were going to give me a C-section. Merely the scans always showed that everything was fine, at that place was enough fluid around the infant etc, and I was left to have the baby normally.

"Then she was overdue, and so the day before I was due to exist induced I was sent for yet another scan and they said the baby was only about 5lb so information technology would be ok to become ahead with inducing me the adjacent mean solar day… the side by side day she was born at 7lb 2oz!!!

"Then I don't remember she put on all that weight overnight! Anyhow, everyone's story is different, but I merely wanted to reassure you you that only because you are small, it does not mean that your baby is too small-scale or unhealthy or anything like that.

"It is hard – I retrieve crying my eyes out over it at the time – but my wee girl is a happy good for you wee thing with no issues."

"I had exactly the same thing throughout my pregnancy, I was pocket-size and no 1 noticed I was pregnat until I left work at 36 weeks and still people didn't know!!!" KirstyMacey adds.

"I started to measure small at nigh 36 weeks but babe's head was engaged and far down so midwife said there was no need to worry about the 2-week [size] difference.

"I had my babe girl on vi August and she weighed 6lb 14oz and she is now 8 weeks and 10lb 7oz so I would not worry about information technology. If midwife was concerned, she would let you lot know."

What MadeForMums says

We know it's so difficult, simply effort not to worry too much if your infant is measuring small-scale. Remember, most women will continue to have good for you babies.

Equally many mums have found, growth scans/fundal height readings aren't ever 100% accurate. Keep that in mind, too!

And as always, if you're actually panicking, talk to your doc or your midwife and enquire them to re-explain your scan to you, just for reassurance ?

Images: Stock epitome via Getty Images

Read more than:

• Growth scans in pregnancy: what you need to know
• What does it mean if your baby's measuring too big?
• Scans and tests during pregnancy – what'due south coming?

27 Weeks Pregnant and Baby Measuring 5 Days Behind

Source: https://www.madeformums.com/pregnancy/baby-measuring-small-for-dates/

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