I am a bit confused, I had a regular doctors appointment today, I am almost 33 weeks, and when the doctor measured my belly she said I was about 31 32ish inches, and that its the same as last time, which I just seen her two weeks ago. She then wanted to have an ultrasound done to make sure the baby was growing okay. The ultrasound tech said she was a bit smaller than normal, but she looked fine. (I am a small gal pushing 5'3, and 142 lbs I've gained about 24 lbs.) The secretary then scheduled me for another appointment in 2 weeks and I left. I got a message on my phone saying that my doctor reviewed the results of my ultrasound and wants to see me next weeks instead. Now I am worried. Any one have any thoughts? Personally I think that because she is a girl she might take after me instead of my big husband, my son is huge. The size that she is suppose to be doesn't seem that much different from the size she is measuring at.
Each pregnancy is different for each individual, ultrasound is just to confirm that the baby is growing at a normal rate. Some moms said that there's nothing to worry about, as there are many factors that would affect the size of the fetus, check with your doctor.
I hate to say this...not all doctors know everything. It seems that all the gals I know HAVE SOMETHING!!! It seems that these dr's always have some "concern". Let me tell you something...I gave birth to a big headed baby....to hear the Dr before, she was convinced that I was going to have a baby ten plus pounds. She was a normal eight pounds and perfectly healthy.
Dont let 'em scare ya!!!
You know its OK!!
Congrats!!!
Margaret:)
Don't worry...it will all catch up. I am a petite build and measured small throughout my entire pregnancy. In the last couple of weeks I DOUBLED!!! I gave birth naturally to a 7.5 lbs. very healthy baby girl. Good Luck and don't worry the weight and "bulk" will come!!!
The follow up ultrasound is probably just to confirm that the baby is growing at a normal rate. I know it is hard, but try not to worry until you find out more. Maybe make a list of questions to take to your next appointment.
I am a senior midwife student. Your measurements are right on target. You should measure within 1-2cm either way and you are measuring between 31-32 cm at 33 weeks. Since you are a small person your baby very well could be small, but even with that you are right where you should be. I would not get another ultrasound done. You do not need to worry at all.
Lisa
I measure small with bot of my pregnancies. So much so on the first one that they did not do a belly measurement. They followed with ultrasound and she was born 6lbs 12 ounces. I was so tiny that NO one knew I was preggo. My most recent pregnancy a few month ago I was HUGE compared to the first. Still small though, and she was 6lbs 2ounces. You will be fine! Try not too stress I know this is hard, but your doc is just being cautious and good for her!
Hey M. S!
I had the same thing happen to me with my son. Have they checked to see if you have restricted uterine arteries? What that means is that the baby may not be getting all the proper nutrition from you, and is making the baby a little on the small side. They found out that I had this problem through many ultrasounds. There's nothing they could do about it, and reassured me that everything would be just fine, and that they would keep a close eye on me. My little one was three weeks early but even if I would of carried him to term he still would of weighed the same. My little guy weighed it at 4lbs 6oz.
Have they told you how much they think he weighs? Did you have the same thing happen with your other two kids?
I don't think you should worry. I measured small with my first pregnancy, the doctor even threatened to put me on bedrest, but I refused because I know my body better than anyone. My daughter was fine. She was 7 lbs 13 oz, so the way I see it modern technology is good but it is not foolproof.
Dear M. S,
The exact same thing happened to me 22 years ago! I was so scared. Back then they didn't do routine ultrasounds and my Dr. wanted me to have one because I had not gotten any bigger (at least not in the measurement around my belly- I had gained 50 lbs! ;-)
This is how they explained it to me. They measured the biparietal diameter, a measurement around the baby's head and then checked the proportions of the baby's body. They told me that sometimes when the growth is not progressing the body sacrifices its growth for the brain development. All of this is normal. They told me, based on the ultrasound, that she was either small or I was wrong on my due date (which I knew I wasn't). Two weeks later I gave birth to an amazing 5lb 7 oz tall, gorgeous, bald baby girl. She is now 22, fantastic, health, bright, with lots of blond hair (3 inches taller than me). She is in her senior year at UT Austin.
I agree with the other mom who posted and told you not to worry...you know your baby is fine.
P.S. Ten years later I gave birth to a 7lb 9 oz boy!
Congratulations and Best Wishes!
D.
I was small 5'3 and so was my baby. I only gained 22 lbs total pregnancy. I ate totally healthy and worked up until she was born. My Dr. always commented, "boy this is a small baby", but she said as long as there was progress it was going to be fine. Baby was 6lbs when she was born. She is now 5'7 and towers over me.
They just want to make sure you are progressing each week.
Don't worry, a lot of babies measure small...in fact all 3 of mine did. However, my 2nd measured small and when we did a check up ultrasound it showed that she has stopped growing due to a blockage in the cord. I was induced that afternoon at 36 weeks. She was 4 lbs 15 oz, but very strong and healthy. In fact we came home in the normal 2 days. When babies are that small, just a few oz makes a big difference.
