Post # 1
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
Just got back from our OB appt – long story, but our family dr never measured me at any visit – I didn’t know this wasn’t normal. Apparently he wrote down measurements, but when they measured me today that was new to me and the measurements he wrote down were definitely not correct. The intern measured, measured again, went to get the OB, who also measured twice. I’m 32 weeks and measuring 27 cm. They’re sending me for an urgent ultrasound but I still have to wait to get the appointment and of course right now am freaking out… and google is a frightening place.
Have any of you been through this? Please tell me anything you know… good or bad. I’m going to lose my mind between now and when I get the ultrasound and then get the follow up appt with the OB.
Darling Husband said not to worry… I just don’t know how to do that 🙁
Post # 3
Member
1813 posts
Buzzing bee
Sorry, I’m not a doctor, but I just wanted to reassure you! Hopefully you can get your u/s soon!
I’ve heard some doctors don’t even do fundal anymore bc it isn’t very accurate depending on how you carry. I was measuring ahead, then dropped and measured behind.
Post # 4
Member
6009 posts
Bee Keeper
I measured about 3-4 cm behind almost my entire pregnancy; my doctor thought Addie was just going to be a really small baby (like 5 pounds) because of it, but she came out just under average at 6 pounds 9 ounces.
Did the OB say how far behind you are measuring? Maybe your baby is just on the small side or you’re carrying differently, like cannotwait said.
Post # 5
Member
2695 posts
Sugar bee
My doctor didn’t use that either, but I had a lot of ultrasounds because I was small. They eventually said I had IUGR which is Inter Uterine Growth Restriction. I think it is just a catch all for all the things that can cause your uterus to be on the small side (I measured in the first percentile). The baby had dropped from 30th percentile at 20 weeks to 7th percentile at 38 weeks. Not good, and since he was breech and I needed a c section, they decided to deliver him early. He was 6 pounds 2 ounces, perfectly healthy and has since caught up to where he should be (50th percentile weight and 90th height!).
You are going to worry a little no matter what, but listen to your doctors and have faith! It is too bad you have to wait for the US, but on the other hand, if they thought there was a really big problem, they would have found a way for you to get one same day. Make sure to get plenty of fluids, and get some rest. I think in the grand scheme of all the things that can go wrong in a pregnancy and delivery, being small is probably one of the less worrisome things. I reminded myself of that when I started to worry and it helped 🙂
Post # 6
Member
325 posts
Helper bee
I have heard this happening with several friends– where they are measuring ahead or behind, and sometimes even the ultrasound shows a large or small baby, but it isn’t always accurate. So definitely look at it as a precaution, but don’t worry TOO much.
There is always a range of belly size, but not everyone carries the same, shows the same, distributes the weight the same, etc. So there is a HUGE chance that you carry more of the baby in towards your body, or spread out from side to side, etc.
Post # 7
Member
7081 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I measured behind the whole pregnancy and we had a tiny baby… She’s just fine now but she’ll probably always be a shortie! I was always the tiniest kid in my class.
Post # 8
Member
2866 posts
Sugar bee
My doctor didn’t start measuring me till around 24 weeks (there wasn’t much to measure before then). I’m not sure what’s normal but I’m sure there’s a range.
It seems a little weird that they wouldn’t know before now that you were measuring small (like they might have noticed before on ultrasounds). But babies are all different sizes – so try not to stress too much before you get more info. Plus they could have your due date wrong by a week or so…since they usually just go by your last period and not actual conception.
Post # 9
Member
311 posts
Helper bee
I’ve been measuring about 2 weeks behind for weeks now (I’m 36 weeks) but my doctor said it’s likely I’m just having a small baby. Seeing as my husband and I were both small babies, it makes sense. As long as you’re still feeling regular movement, I wouldn’t stress too much.
Post # 10
Member
1835 posts
Buzzing bee
Don’t they usually use your fundal measurements as a guide to how far along you are? 27 cm= 27 weeks, etc. Everything I’ve read about says that measuring small is just an indication of a small baby and definitely something to look into but nothing to worry about 🙂
Post # 11
Member
105 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding: June 2007 - Bride's family summer home in the Adirondacks
I was measuring ahead until sometime in my 30s when it went down abruptly. They were a bit concerned and ordered an ultrasound and it just turned down that he had dropped! Once the baby drops, it makes sense that your belly sticks out less far since they move deeper into your pelvis, and my son just dropped earlier than average. They thought he might have stopped growing, but nope, he’d just shifted inside a bit. Good luck!!!
Post # 12
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
Thank you for the feedback everyone! Our last ultrasound was at 20 weeks and everything was fine then, and if my doctor had actually been taking acurate measurements and I was steadily increasing but behind “average” I don’t think there would have been an issue… but his last measurement had me at 30 cm and when I told the OB that my family dr had never actually measured me, then I guess that makes 5 cm behind concerning. Part of it may be an off due date, but I know the date of my LMP and my husband was out of town most of that month, so we’re pretty sure the due date is accurate 🙂
I’m trying to keep telling myself that I am steadily getting bigger, baby is moving regularly and I haven’t had any problems at all, so it probably is just that she’s a little on the small size. I just hope the appointment is soon so someone can tell me I have no reason to worry!!! It’s awful to hear “urgent” and then be told you have to wait 🙁
Post # 13
Member
306 posts
Helper bee
Just wanted to say thank you again to everyone who commented and give an update… turns out our little one is just a little on the little side 🙂 but all is well and nothing to worry about. The relief was overwhelming.
I really appreciated your comments, stories and encouragement. I think I read them all about 1 zillion times reminding myself not to worry. Thank you!!
Post # 14
Member
314 posts
Helper bee
@sessaj: I’m so glad everything is okay!