small babies? « Back to Group Discussions

[tarabelle]

I just got home from my appointment with my doctor this morning and he finally asked me about my ultrasound.  I had it done a few weeks ago and the ultrasound technician was a bit concerned about the baby measuring small and was going to have us come in for a follow up, but ended up calling us back later in the day after having a second look at our file and letting us know that she didn't think we would need a follow up ultrasound but that she did recommend changing the due date to April 21st rather than the 16th.  My doctor also seemed concerned that the baby/uterus is measuring small (my fundal height measured 26cm and i'm 30 weeks along) but said that my growth is consistent and symmetrical (both of which i assume are important?)

Even though over all the appointment went well and he agreed that I don't need a follow up ultrasound, he still managed to worry me about the size of this baby.

Here's the thing: my little brother and I were both below 8lbs and late; me by ten days and him by two weeks (when he was induced). Also, I'm pretty tall (5'10") but my husband is a small guy, about 5'6", is it possible i just make small babies?  Should I be worried that my baby is only measuring in the 13th percentile?

 

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

It's totally possible that you make small babies, and that's ok. I assume you're eating well, not dieting, etc.? As long as baby is growing steadily and you're not dieting, you're fine. The problem with small babies is when they stop growing or slow down growth at certain stages, which can be a life threatening. I have a friend who was induced at 35 weeks due to intrauterine growth restriction; baby was 4.5 pounds and had health problems. I have another friend who had a 6.5 pound baby at 41 weeks (pretty darn small for gestational age), totally healthy, no problem.

Measuring small is a reason for extra monitoring, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything's bad. I grow big babies, clearly, and that's just how it is sometimes too.

[justKate]

Agreed, I think it is okay, as long as there's no "reason."  No evidence of IUGR, you're getting enough calories, etc., like snflwr mentioned.  Sounds like they're monitoring it.  Have you measured small throughout the pg?  Any chance your dates are off?

FWIW my brother and I were both nearly 9 lbs despite our mother being 5'2'' and 100 lb. soaking wet. I expected a similarly sized babe but DD was only 6 lb. 13 oz.  DH's sister had three 10+ lb. babies.  So I don't think genetics or parents' size really matters.  Try not to worry!

[CarlyVHT]

I wouldn't worry at all. I am actually shocked this baby has measured "on track". My daughter was tiny - diagnosed with IUGR, actually, with no known cause. They could never find any issues with her cord, blood flow, or placenta (even after it was sent for post-birth testing). I was truly scared for her the entire pregnancy but she was born completely healthy, and small, at 5lbs14oz. I am 5'10" and her bio father is 6'2" - and we were born 8lb+ babies - so big people. My sister birthed a 5lb11oz baby at 39 weeks last summer - again, no known reason why she was small, and my niece is perfectly healthy.

13th percentile wouldn't worry me at all. My daughter had parts that were off the charts small (below 1st percentile). Some people just make small kiddos.

[saudade]

The baby might not be "small" at all. Seriously, don't let them get into your head and worry. When I was pregnant with my first, I measured small all the way through and every single person, even strangers on the street when asking when I was due and finding out would make comments that my baby was small and I remember one rude stranger even asked me "What is wrong with your baby, you don't look 9 months pregnant." I equated small baby to unhealthy baby, felt guilty and worried endlessly as a first time mother. Turns out that the doctor and everyone else were wrong, because she was born (a bit early, even) and weighed 7 lbs. 11 1/2 oz. and 20 inches long, a perfectly healthy size baby. The OB I saw who had been in practice forever and ever told me she was going to be a 5.5 lb baby.

So, that is a living example of how wrong they are. I never had an ultrasound during that pregnancy, however ultrasounds are notoriously WRONG by up to 2+ lbs either direction in their "estimates". I've seen your photos and can tell from your body shape and the shape you were in pre-pregnancy, that fundal measurements could be small simply because you have good abdominal muscles!!! That can cause small measurements and that is the reason that second time ++ moms tend to measure large, it isn't because of large babies necessarily, but because of loose abs due to previous pregnancies.

DON'T WORRY! That's my 2 cents. :)

[tarabelle]

neither my doctor nor the ultrasound technician have said anything about IUGR so far, so i don't think that is an issue.  My caloric intake and weight gain have been right on track and the doctor says my growth has been consistent.  There is absolutely a chance my dates are wrong.  I couldn't remember my LMP and am almost entirely sure that my body skipped a period the cycle before this baby was conceived.  Another concern of mine is that the doctor doesn't take that information into consideration and I am eventually induced unnecessarily.  

Thanks for all your input, ladies!  It always makes me feel better. 

[chiromama01]

FWIW i measured small and had a 9lb baby. we still haven't figured it out...but there she was, 9 lbs, 23 inches, and i never looked more than 30 weeks along... people were always shocked to find out i was 42 weeks along... don't remember what my final fundal height was, but i remember it being smaller than desired.  (i'm 5'10) i don't recall dd measuring small on US though.  but remember that small babies don't always mean sick babies, so let baby grow as he/she will and monitor closely, but don't panic till you have absolute reason too!! 

[saudade]

I think there is a definite correlation between diet and baby size as well in some cases. Big babies don't necessarily mean healthier, it could be just the opposite. High fat/calorie/sugar diets usually produce bigger babies where low sugar, whole foods, etc... contribute more to smaller babies. This might be a controversial opinion, however. I know I've read things about this, plus my own empirical observation through my own pregnancies and observation of others. Then again, some people just have big or small babies.

[DeChRi]

With my first and second I measured small, and U/S at 20 wks showed a small baby.  I had another u/s at 37 wks to see if they flipped (both, ironically, were breech until the very end) and was told both times I would be lucky to have a 6 or 7 lb baby, based on u/s.  They came at 41 and 39 weeks and were 8lb2 and 8lb9.  If you are eating well, and everything else is on trackm I would try not to worry!!

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

Saudade, I had HG with Evie and pretty much didn't digest food for the first 6 months of her pregnancy. Even when I could eat in the 3rd trimester, I had a very diminished appetite. Admittedly what food I ate was high in carbs because they were all that actually got through to me, but still. DD was 9lbs 12oz at 42+3. Because of that I'm convinced I can't make small babies.

[jess in hawaii]

All mine have measured small, I think the only reason this one isn't is because I have been using an adjusted DD since the beginning (due having 42+ week pregs). All of my babies were perfectly healthy, 7+ lbs (the biggest 8lb 2oz). They just grow slower and stay in longer, apparently.

[tarabelle]

In some way I wish this lil one would hurry up and grow a bit faster!  I really do NOT want to be induced but i have a bad feeling it will come to that, especially since I'm not sure of my dates and my doctor says he would only let me go ten days over.  Does anybody know anything about refusing induction?  is that an option?

 

[saudade]

You can refuse anything. I would definitely refuse it, if you feel it isn't necessary!

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I personally am pretty anti-induction (barring a clear medical reason) and I would absolutely not induce for "healthy but small." You can refuse anything, but it makes life a lot more difficult towards the end to defy your OB's wishes. I have a friend who switched to homebirth at 41.5 week because she wanted to avoid induction; she had an uncomplicated homebirth at just shy of 43 weeks.

[CarlyVHT]

I would absolutely refuse induction in your case.

I was induced for IUGR and low amniotic fluid with my DD. They actually wanted to induce at 34 weeks and I refused the induction and left the hospital AMA. I agreed to an induction at 38 weeks more due to the fluid than anything else. IUGR CAN be a reason to induce small babies - if they can honestly tell that there is placental failure or a lack of blood flow. In my case, DD was diagnosed as IUGR because her percentiles were SO low, but blood flow and the placenta always seemed fine (and were). For a healthy, but small, on the charts baby with no other issues - I would refuse induction.

[justKate]

Could you talk to your doc about moving your EDD?  If you're measuring small and not 100% sure of your dates, then it would seem reasonable.  Maybe they could use your earliest u/s for dating?

[tarabelle]

When I had my second ultrasound at 24 weeks I was told that because it was late, it would be harder to make the proper measurements.  In the end, after comparing that ultrasound with my early ultrasound, the ultrasound technician called us and recommended the due date be changed from the 16th to the 21st.  That's really only five days but I still felt better knowing we would have a little more time if the baby wanted it.  When I mentioned this due-date change, the doctor blew it off and said "oh that's only a few days it doesn't make much difference," implying that he would keep the earlier due date.  The thing is, even though it's five days it DOES matter!  I feel like if the 16th is already too soon, him letting me go ten days late takes me to the 26th, which is only 5 days late if the 21st due date is more correct.  I haven't broached the subject with him yet but let's just say I fully intend to, if need be.  Maybe I'm overreacting but I'm just trying to prepare myself for an eventuality that I feel I may have to face.

[piratemere]

I'm in Alberta, and I don't think there would be much to refusing an induction.  If you don't want to fight about it I just wouldn't show up, or wouldn't call in to make the appointment.  Say you got sick or something and don't want to have a baby while feeling so crappy.  I would definitely insist that his 10 day limit be applied to the later due date. 

Also, while you want to be prepared for this, remember that baby may come at a very reasonable time.  Talk to your baby and let them know it is safe for him/her to come whenever she needs to.  You are prepared to matter what and will welcome her with open arms. 

[tarabelle]

great advice!  I'm going to try not to be so focused on this.

[Tulafina]

Originally Posted by tarabelle 

In some way I wish this lil one would hurry up and grow a bit faster!  I really do NOT want to be induced but i have a bad feeling it will come to that, especially since I'm not sure of my dates and my doctor says he would only let me go ten days over.  Does anybody know anything about refusing induction?  is that an option?

 

^ Yup:) You just don't show up:) They can't drag you in....they can't force you to do anything you don't want to do. When I got a call from the hospital at 9 days over to come in for my induction, I said I couldn't come in. They asked me why. I said it was none of their business.  End of story. They work for me....I pay them(well my healthcare does..but same thing). I get to make the rules:) Unless you feel that your baby is in danger, there is no reason to induce. I measure small(like 3-4 weeks behind near the end...at 40w I always measure 35-36w) and my last 2 babies have been 8lbs7oz. Plus, u/s's are notoriously wrong, especially the farther along you are. Go with your gut. Big hugs, Mama xoxo