Measuring Small

[Anonymous]

Hi. Just wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience. I'm 32 weeks and went to the doctor for my regular checkup this week. My fundal measurement was apparently smaller than what it should be. The doctor said it could be for any number of reasons- the due date is wrong, I'm small, too little amniotic fluid, etc. The doctor was able to hear the heartbeat without any problem, but she still is sending me for an ultrasound. Anyone have a similar experience they wouldn't mind sharing?

[Anonymous]

I'm also curious. On the movie "The Business of Being Born," one woman's baby had a growth restriction which resulted in a smaller body initially. It was handled fine after delivery, but still was not ideal - but apparently is difficult to diagnose in utero. (The same recently happened with Laila Ali, and her baby is precious!) A month before she delivered, people commented on how "small" her tummy looked, which is what people keep saying to me, and it is starting to make me a little paranoid.

To the OP, good luck with the ultrasound. I'm sure everything will check out fine, but better to check.

[Anonymous]

I had pretty much the same experience around 32/34 weeks. I was measuring a little behind, but not much. The doctor wasn't concerned, said the ultrasound is optional. I did it, but only because I knew the insurance would cover it (I would've seriously considered not doing it if it had cost me money out of pocket). As your doctor mentioned, there could be many reasons for the fundal height to be off this far along, I wouldn't worry too much but it's nice to have the u/s for the ultimate peace of mind. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I had the same experience at 28 weeks. I had the ultrasound, and everything was totally fine. Baby measured average. My baby did end up being on the smaller end of the charts when she was born, but was as healthy as could be. And her size wasn't surprising considering that I myself was a tiny baby and am still rather small. Are you small? I was told that a small mom will tend to have a smaller fundal measurement. I was also told that these measurements are notoriously inaccurate. So I wouldn't sweat it -- the ultrasound should put your mind at ease.

[Palesa]

I have also been told that my baby appears "small," although all my measurements appear to make me look on target for my due date. I'm trying not to stress about it - but everything has gone so perfectly up to now...it's hard not to think about what that might mean... I'm due in less than a month, so I suppose if there is real concern, I will be sent for an ultrasound or something.

For now, I'm just trying to focus on something to be grateful about...delivering a small baby rather than a 10 pound baby!

[Anonymous]

I had the same experience. My measurement didn't change at all between 32 and 39 weeks, when the baby was born. My doc was concerned and sent me for 2 ultrasounds during this period. Everything looked fine. The baby was six pounds at birth, a bit on the small side, but perfectly healthy. And I was able to fit into my old clothes by the time I left the hospital!

[Anonymous]

My DD was 4 lbs at birth (35 weeks), but very healthy for her gestational age. Her rate of growth slowed significantly in the last few weeks and I regret that I didn't follow up more when the doctors told me not to worry about it. After she was born, we learned that the placenta had started disintegrating early and was not working as efficiently as it should. That's probably why I went into labor early. I think it's more of an issue if the growth path changes than if the baby is small from the get-go. All that said, I'm not sure we would/could have managed the pregnancy any differently than we did, and she's now a healthy almost-2-year-old. Still on the small side but well within "normal" range.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just wanted to say thanks to all for sharing. It's really put my mind more at ease.

[Anonymous]

I measured small and had a perfectly healthy 7 lbs 3 oz baby girl! In my case I think it's because I am tall and slender and the baby just had more room to stretch out. I saw photos of my mother when she was pregnant with me and we looked exactly the same. Honestly, I don't think it's usually something to be overly concerned about, especially if everything checks out in an ultrasound.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Just had the ultrasound and everything was fine. The doctor said the baby looked good and was over 4lbs.- right on schedule. He said I even looked to be closer to 34 weeks vs. 33 weeks and that the fundal measurements don't really mean much because everyone's body type is different. So for those of you out there in the same boat, hopefully everything will turn out well!

[Anonymous]

Just a postscript, this happened to me both times and I suspect (although I could be wrong) that docs often measure "wrong" in order to justify a last ultrasound to the insurance companies...