Today’s ultrasound at 33w2d shows baby’s head circumference measuring at 31w4d, femur length at 31w5d and estimated weight at 4lb 5oz, which is 36th percentile. My doctor said none of this is anything to worry about. But, guess what. I’m super worried anyway. Especially about the head circumference. Anyone have similar experience? Any input is appreciated!
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Sometimes this is just genetics... even adults' head sizes, height, etc vary quite a bit! And maybe, baby is just going to be small and then take off growing once they're on the outside... that was my experience. If the doctor isn't concerned, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.
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My newborn went from 50th % around 28 weeks when my OB first noticed I was measuring behind to 27.something % at 35w and 26th I think at 37w. She was just little. Her siblings were bigger too (especially my son) so I was a bit worried comparing them but I was told by two docs that all babies are just different and lo looked small but perfectly healthy. (And she looks a little different than them too, more like me than the other two.) Good thing is your measurements are consistent- my doctor said if one was way different than another it could be a blood flow thing and a problem. Do you have a follow up u/s scheduled?
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My DS1 had a head that was 30th %ile (Still does), but my DS2’s head is 97th. Just normal genetic variety.
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This would not be concerning to me, the measurements are rarely accurate and I had 2 babies under 5%
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The measurements are not very accurate within the normal range--they are really best for detecting extremes. my lo1 was born early at 37 weeks and before I was induced they thought she was over 7 lbs, and she was born teensy, just 5lbs 13oz which was 3rd percentile. So just try not to stress!
eta and now at almost 4yo, she's a totally healthy thing, has stayed around the 25th percentile mark for weight since about 6 months or so!
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The concern would be if the measurements didn't match or if the baby was no longer on the charts. Your baby is slightly below average, but that's what it is - an average. I would trust your doctor. As someone who had a concerning ultrasound at 34 weeks, I can tell you that your doctor would not hesitate to tell you if he/she suspected something was wrong.
It does seem you have a lot of anxiety. I would keep an eye on it as postpartum can really make a borderline situation even worse.
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Don't worry - they really are just averages! And the later into pregnancy, the more those things vary - it's completely normal for a baby to be born at both 5lbs and 10lbs, so obviously there's a huge range of "normal" by the point you're at. I had a late ultrasound around 36 weeks with my second, and both his head and femur were measuring about a week and half/2 weeks behind - but he was born completely healthy and normal, and is now a chunky 10 month old.
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We were monitored for IUGR because LO was 6th percentile, and even so, she is growing like a champ since she was born. Those percentiles are good, and if your doc isn't worried, you should try not to be. Easier said than done, I know!
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No experience but I’ll chime in and say that of the Dr is not worried then it’s not an issue. Enjoy these last weeks!
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@starchild: same experience -- same advice
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My DD has a small head and always has. She's like 30% for head circumference now even though she's 75-90% for height and weight. But she's totally normal - meeting or exceeding milestones, looks normal, etc. Some people just have smaller heads.
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@starchild: @winniebee: Similar experience - if your doctor was one iota concerned, you'd be in for (at least) weekly monitoring. If it gives you any confidence, the estimated weight you're being quoted is more than my DD3 (the one with IUGR) weighed at birth around 37 weeks, and she's just fine. My other two kids were similarly quite small (still with stats just a bit smaller than yours), and never received an IUGR diagnosis, and are also just fine (if that helps you not to worry that your dr. is missing something).
As others have said - measurements a week or two off, but in synch with each other, are usually just fine, and due to either genetics or the fact that they're working in millimeters, through fluids, and with electronic devices prone to a margin of error with these measurements.
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Seems normal to me... Babies aren't made from cookie cutters! Hang in there, and don't hesitate to call your doctor if you need further reassurance.
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@winniebee: @starchild: Same here! IUGR baby - born at 0th percentile!! And he's been hovering around the 90th percentile for height since he was 6mo and is healthy!
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Thank you all so much. I feel much better after reading your responses. And yes, @LBee: I have a history of anxiety. I’m doing my best to keep it under control. I’m taking medication and will be seeing a therapist. Thank you!
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@CatchAFallingStar: I’m glad to hear that. I had postpartum anxiety with my son and definitely waited until it was out of control to seek help.
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@LBee: yeah.. I’ve had general anxiety and panic attacks for years.. after my daughter was born, I was very depressed.. then it turned into full blown anxiety and panic, to be point of having to see a psychiatrist. Not going to let that happen again!!
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I have my follow-up ultrasound today. Nervous!!!
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@CatchAFallingStar: Good luck! Hope it is reassuring
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@Jennibenni: thanks so much!!
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Just had the ultrasound. Baby girl went from 36th percentile to 54th. Her head is still measuring about a week 1/2 behind, but the tech was not worried. Femur has caught up to gestational age and abdomen is a little bigger than gestational age. Her estimated weight is 6lb 4oz. So, I’m feeling better. Thanks, all!
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@CatchAFallingStar: Great news!
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That’s wonderful news!
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After seeing my OB (directly following the ultrasound) I’m back to being worried. She kept using the term “not really”... like “I’m not really worried.” So I kept asking her to clarify and she said although she’s not “overly concerned” that I have the option of going to maternal fetal medicine for a more in-depth ultrasound. Ugh!! So, now I need to decide if I want to do that or just wait until the baby is born. She said there’s no way to tell if there’s any problem until they see the baby. I feel annoyed, worried and exhausted by the whole thing.
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@CatchAFallingStar: ugh I'm sorry for the added stresa! I don't see what the concern is? Her head being "small"? I never get why these averages are used as concerns. Someone has to be the high and someone has to be the low. But if you're going to keep worrying, I would do the ultrasound! I'm sure she's fine but you need peace.
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@psw27: yeah... I know. I guess the fact that’s it’s almost 2 weeks behind must have given her reason to believe a check at maternal fetal medicine might be beneficial... but she also said she wouldn’t have referred me there if she hadn’t known how much anxiety/worry I’m dealing with. So, I don’t know! I just don’t want to have to be worried for the remaining 4 weeks of my pregnancy!
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@CatchAFallingStar: I'd be annoyed by the careless language your OB is using. Either refer or not, but this "not really" nonsense is more stressful because then you don't really know what to think. Go to MFM if it'll give you peace of mind!
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Having had a concerning ultrasound around the same time as you (different issue), the doctor or midwife will not mess around with this wishy washy ‘you can go to MFM if you want’ if they truly believe there is an issue. We had something crazy rare ‘show’ on an US and we were into MFM within a week, no questions asked. It turned out to be nothing. I don’t think you need to worry. However, I also am extremely anxious about everything pregnancy related so if I was you, I would weigh whether you can realistically put it aside until birth or see when MFM can get you in and then decide.
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@muffinsmuffins: thank you! The first available appointment is Monday.. I took it but may cancel if I feel like it would just add more stress. What was the issue with your ultrasound?
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FWIW...my baby has been in the 30-somethingth percentile for abdomen and femur length the last two appointments I've had. My OB said it's small, but not small enough to be concerning. He said it's all proportional and the growth is continuing, so he's not concerned. But because of my history of loss, he's going to keep doing biophysical profiles each week until birth. But he said the last BP was an "8 out of 8"
I mean, some babies are born weighing 4 or 5 lbs and are fine. My baby is currently almost 6. Even though he's measuring small...he's no smaller than most preemies!
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@CatchAFallingStar: we went in around 33/34 weeks for high fluid. They found a varicose vein on the umbilical cord which had a 50/50 shot of a horrible outcome. Our midwife said not to google and to just monitor fetal movements....I swear I aged 10 years in that week. But MFM found no evidence of it on the high level ultrasound thankfully. Then my wife’s water broke the day after (unrelated)! I would take the appointment and get some piece of mind.
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@muffinsmuffins: oh my goodness... that sounds absolutely terrifying! So thankful that you had a good outcome. The waiting to find things out is awful, right? Your situation was much scarier than mine. So sorry you had to go through that!
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@CatchAFallingStar: I'm glad you're going. I think you will have a good outcome, I'll be thinking of you!
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Ultrasound with MFM tomorrow. Nervous.
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@CatchAFallingStar: how did it go? Hope everything is okay!!
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@turquoisemama: I should have updated! The MFM doctor said that yes, the head measures 2 weeks behind but that it’s totally normal and no reason at all to worry. I’m so relieved!! Thanks so much for checking in.
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@CatchAFallingStar: Oh good! I would have freaked out too!
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