A little freaked out...

[bdoody11]

I feel so silly posting this, but I need some reassurance. I went in for my 31 week check up today and things were fine, but different.

I've been measuring right on for weeks so far (27cm at 27 weeks). Today at 31 weeks I was 29cm. Two weeks behind, which I know is normal, but why would the growth slow down? That freaks me out.

The HB was 130bpm. Again, totally normal. But, usually, its 140bpm. The MW said sometimes it just depends on how active the babe is when they do the measurement.

In good news, she thinks the baby is head down. I know it could change, but that is always nice to hear.

Any advice/reassurance for this somewhat freaky mama?

[yonit]

Position of the baby will affect fundal height. It shouldn't be a cause for concern at this point. I remember once in my last pregnancy, I was measured at one appointment and then at the next one was actually measuring less than the previous month (not just slow growth, but an actual smaller fundal height). MW hadn't read her chart yet when she announced the height, and first words out of my mouth were "That's not right'. She checked the chart and saw the problem, so palpated around a bit and found that the baby was leaning to the right, and her legs were way up to the side under my ribs. So measuring down the middle was too small. She measured to the right right over the baby's legs and my fundal height suddenly grew 5 cm.

Heart rate was lower probably because baby was sleeping.

[jilly]

I found in the last 3 months of pregnancy that I would be completely confident and comfortable about how healthy the baby and I were, until I went to visit the doctor. I would always come home a nervous wreck, but everything worked out fine in the end.

Also, babies grow at different rates at this age -- often in growth spurts. Three weeks ago I was measuring 2 weeks ahead, and then this week I was back on track, so don't get too anxious -- your babe will probably have a growth spurt later on.