34 wks pregnant & fetus diagnosed with small stomach

[Anonymous]

I am currenlty 34 weeks pregnant and fetus was recently diagnosed with a small stomach. I have had many ultrasounds and everything has been normal up until this point. Has anyone ever had this happen?

[Anonymous]

I had the same diagnosis around 38 weeks, but we knew something wasn't right because I kept measuring small. When I had the u/s that determined my son's stomach was measuring small, I was admitted to the hospital that evening to induce labor. When that failed because of little amniotic fluid, my son was delivered c-section. He was 5 lbs. 1 oz. The placenta failed to give him nourishment and he was literally starving. I'm not trying to scare you, he's a perfectly healthy 2 year old with absolutely no problems or develpmental delays, but it could have had a not so happy ending.

[Anonymous]

You should consult a high risk perinatologist (also called MFM maternal fetal medicine specialist). A smaller abdominal circumference (AC) measurement can signal interuterine growth retardation (IUGR) which means that the fetus is not getting enough nutrients. This can occur with developing pre-eclampsia (high BP and protein in the urine), other placenta issues, or probably less likely maternal malnutrition etc.
There probably is a reason why they sent you for an ultrasound at 34 weeks. IUGR can be a reault of several conditions.

Ultrasounds at 34 weeks can really be off so you probably will have another one with a high risk doctor to measure again and check cord flow. You may also have something called a BPP (biophysical profile) and/or NST which is basically a lower grade ultrasound along with a monitoring period (you basically just lay on a bed while wearing a fetal monitor around your belly) while they watch the baby. GU, Fairfax, GW and Shady Grove all have good MFM practices.

If you do need to deliver early, 34 weeks is scary but they do really well. (Mom of 33 weeker at 3.5 lbs here.) IUGR can add some complications and they may need to stay a little longer in the NICU to catch up on growth but you dodge many of risks that micropreemies face. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Not the OP of this thread, but was reading this with interest because my baby, too, is measuring small (30 weeks pregnant) and I am scheduled for an ultrasound next week to hopefully confirm that it is nothing serious.

So, just out of curiosity (to the OP and the PPs): did you have any "symptoms" of the baby getting diagnosed with a small stomach - like abnormal high/low kick counts, weight gain issues, or anything?

[Anonymous]

Original poster here, responding to the previous poster I did not have any symptoms of the baby's stomach measuring small, ie kick counts low weight etc... However, I have been seeing a MFM MD at Georgetown. I have had ultrasounds every 4 wks, and everything has been normal since the beginning. I recently had a BPP test done and everything was normal. However, I will be getting a BPP every week until I deliver. The MD told me the baby's overall measurements are still within normal limits.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if you are referring to a small stomach or a small waist measurement. I had the latter at 34 weeks; my Dr. was not concerned at all, but we did a followup u/s. Still on the small side, but again no real concerns. Delivered a perfectly healthy baby at 39 weeks.