Small baby or IUGR? SIGH

[Maple Leaf Mama]

I have another U/S set for tomorrow at the hospital. Today was my OB appt. She was concerned that he was so small (at the 11th percentile based on last week's u/s)
Though she also thinks it could just be the way I grow babies.
DD was 6.8 at almost 41 weeks-though she also had a huge hole in her heart that we though accounted for that. Well maybe not.

So I have a fluid level check tomorrow and a growth check next week.
I'm trying to not freak. I have none of the risk factors or issues that are common with growth restriction-so I'm trying to concentrate on it just being normal for me.
His head is super low-so she thinks I may go early. As she said-a small baby is waaay better than birthing a big baby.
But she said that is next week's u/s doesn't show much growth, he'll get an early eviction. Wonder how that will effectmy VBAC??

Of course, DH laughingly blamed it on my daily Hemp Seed intake. Loser! LOL

I'll update tomorrow, but please send positive vibes.
Thanks ladies!

[lactivist]

My first baby was a little one for no good reason. She was 6lbs 4oz at 42 weeks. She stayed small for a long time and then suddenly shot up around 4 yo. She is now a "normal" sized 15yo girl. She was always below the 10% for the longest time but she growing and changing. I hope its just a small baby and nothing of any concern. I am sorry that you are feeling worried. Hang in there and keep us posted.
Wendi

[~minnow~]

Oh sweetie. I also have what seems like a little baby. Thirty-seven weeks, and today my belly measured 32 cm. (Which is even "smaller" than two weeks ago; when I lay down on my back the baby hides and the belly disappears. It's weird.) I would be all set to freak out, but my midwife claims she is not concerned. Heartbeat is great. Movement is fine. I also haven't gained any weight in a few weeks, but midwife says since I'm healthy and eating well that is also not something she's worried about.

Anyway, it's really interesting, the different approaches. If I had an OB or someone concerned, I'd certainly be freakin'. But instead I'm told, it's fine, she still has some weeks, maybe she'll grow, or maybe she's just little.

Positive vibes to you, but yeah, let's just trust our instincts and assume our babies are growing the size they need to be. Please try not to let your OB scare you in the absence of any signs, besides smallness, that something is wrong. (Doesn't it seem counter-intuitive to say, oh your baby's on the small side, let's get it out early!) Hope your u/s goes well.

[mighty-mama]

I'm sorry mama.. I'll be praying for a strong healthy baby, no matter the size.

Did you try to pm Nikkihoi? I believe she was in a similiar situation...

I'm sorry about the VBAC concern. I know "inducing" can hinder a VBAC, and can make it more dangerous.. But I'm not 100%..

One of my fellow April 2005 mama's had a VBAC, and is very knowlegeable if you want to get her a shout (wombatclay)

[SweetTexasgal]

Oh Mama....I am hoping you just make small babes. Both my sisters were told they had IUGR and turns out that they just made little babes. Try not to stress too much.

I had a follow-up ultrasound this afternoon because at my last appt my OB thought babe was small and that babes abdomen growth had fallen off according to ultrasound. Well today is showed that babe had grown...2lbs in 2 weeks....don't see how that is possible....but I will take it.

[angelamclamb]

Take a deep breath and try to relax. My first was born at 39wks and he was 6lbs 15oz... for some reason after that all mine were small and always measured smaller. The u/s on the rest of them were labeled as "small for dates". They weighed 5.12, 5.12 & 5.05. But other than my last one having a trach and tube fed they all were healthy & growing like crazy.

HUGS!!!

[AdalynsMama]

I could have posted this from my first pregnancy. I went in for a routine US to check her position at 36 weeks and she was measuring between the 5th and 10th percentile. I had a jerk OB who told me that we needed to consider induction because "they could take care of her better on the outside". I was so pissed. We had a BPP a few days later that she scored perfect on and once again was pushed with induction threats. They made me come back weekly for USs to check her growth which was the most stressful thing I've ever done. At 39 weeks they told me there was no way she would be over 5 and half lbs at birth. I didn't go back. She was born at 41 weeks and was 7lb 4oz and absolutely perfect. They say you have to give or take a lb with ultrasounds past 20 weeks and I personaly think they tell you what they want you to hear. Big hug! I know it's stressful but try to trust your body- the machines can be SO misleading. You'll be in my thoughts

[gizzyntaz]

I really hope everything turns out perfectly for you. Nothing like worrying a pregnant woman, huh?

I get very frustrated when I hear about the medical community worrying parents for children in X or Y percentiles. There have to be small children in the smaller percentiles to have large children in the larger percentiles. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with children at either end of the spectrum! If they were all the same we wouldn't bother with percentiles! This happens after birth too, I feel bad for people that worry when their child is in the lower percentiles for weight/height, when in most cases it's probably just genetics! (sorry for the tangent)

[KarenMT]

Big hugs!! Had I stayed with my OB/midwife practice I am sure I'd be in the same boat as you. I had a slightly elevated hcg level on the Triple Screen so they were going to do weekly growth checks from 32 weeks on. I switched out of the practice as I wasn't about to be induced. I am super petite and DD was only 6.5 lbs at 41+1 weeks. My current midwife did a growth check u/s at 38 weeks and this baby is +/- 7 lbs already. The u/s report was only concerned about head circumference as it was 32 cms. I guess avg is about 34 cms. I made it perfectly clear that I have a small head and DD was born with an even smaller head 30.5 cms. That put a stop to all that.

Really, unless baby is showing stress and you feel like there is a lack of movement, I wouldn't go with an induction. OBs are notorious for "evicting" babies out before their time. This puts you and baby at risk and also puts you at even greater risk for a c-section. Big ((((Hugs))) with whatever decision you make.

[Plaid Leopard]