Belly measuring small? UPDATE in replies

[knx9211]

I’m 30 weeks today. Doctor said I was measuring 27-27.5 weeks and seemed overly concerned, but it might have just been her personality. I’ve never treated with her before. 2 weeks ago (28 weeks), I was measuring 27 weeks and they didn’t seem concerned. I’m treating with MFM due to GD and my growth ultrasound nearly two weeks ago showed baby was measuring a week ahead at that point. But they were concerned that I wasn’t gaining enough weight. I’m trying hard but it’s so difficult with GD.

Well that was a word dump. My actual question was whether anyone else had the measuring issue and was fine. Using a tape measurer on someone’s stomach seems so unscientific- I mean, look at how differently we all carry in HBDB! But I want you to make me feel better.

[scm1011]

I always measured a couple weeks behind with DS, and I only gained 12lbs during the pregnancy (and was slim to begin with). My doctor was not concerned with any of this. DS was born at 39+6 weighing 6’10. He was just a small baby.

[knx9211]

Jul 24, 2019 15:21:46 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

I always measured a couple weeks behind with DS, and I only gained 12lbs during the pregnancy (and was slim to begin with). My doctor was not concerned with any of this. DS was born at 39+6 weighing 6’10. He was just a small baby.

Thank you for this! I gained A LOT more with DS and he was only 6’11. I had a TON of swelling and had lost most of the weight within a week. So I’m guessing maybe I just make small bellies and am not gaining the water weight I did with DS? Hopefully that means I won’t have pre-e like I did with him!

[stellelinds25]

I don’t have any advice, but I am sure that dr is just being overly cautious, especially if you’ve been seen by MFM and they weren’t concerned with anything.

[clseale]

So I meant to click on H&F and for a split second when I saw this post I thought it was someone doing a bragplaint about their tiny waist. LOL! Anyway, since I am here...yes. I frequently measured a week or two behind with dd and at 41 wks, she was born very healthy at 7lbs 1oz. She was just a smaller baby. I was 5’2” and 115 lbs when I got pregnant, so it makes sense that she wasn’t huge.

Are they concerned with your total weight gain, or just with your pattern? I gained 17 lbs total, but my doctor never batted an eye. They’re pretty non-alarmist anyway, but it might also be because I was very consistent with what I did gain. Even so, eveyone’s bodies handles pregnancy weight differently. I know growth constriction can be a concern, but if you ARE growing, I’d try not to worry.

[dreamcrisp1]

They don’t do fundal height measurement here. Fluid and baby position can greatly impact size, doesn’t it? Also I’ve gained barely 10 pounds (and started off very small) and this kid already weighs 6 lbs at 35 weeks so I think that’s also why they’re so nonchalant about weight gain here (and don’t even weigh you ever).

If baby is growing as per scan, I wouldn’t worry.

[knx9211]

Jul 24, 2019 16:33:50 GMT -5 clseale said:

So I meant to click on H&F and for a split second when I saw this post I thought it was someone doing a bragplaint about their tiny waist. LOL! Anyway, since I am here...yes. I frequently measured a week or two behind with dd and at 41 wks, she was born very healthy at 7lbs 1oz. She was just a smaller baby. I was 5’2” and 115 lbs when I got pregnant, so it makes sense that she wasn’t huge.

Are they concerned with your total weight gain, or just with your pattern? I gained 17 lbs total, but my doctor never batted an eye. They’re pretty non-alarmist anyway, but it might’ve also be because I was very consistent with what I did gain. Even so, eveyone’s bodies handles pregnancy weight differently. I know growth constriction can be a concern, but if you ARE growing, I’d try not to worry.

It seemed like total weight gain. I was 28 weeks and had gained 9-10lb. Gained about 2 in the last two weeks so hopefully that will be a good start.

[Susie]

I was the opposite with DD, my fundal height measurement was always ahead, and they were freaking me out that I had a huge baby or something, especially since I had GD with her. No, my weight gain, growth scans, and ultimately her birth weight were totally normal, she was just tall/long and I'm short so she was stretching my stomach out further. I'm honestly not sure what evidentiary value fundal height measurements have.

[shoeless]

I just spent 4 weeks living this (28-32 weeks). I started measuring small on fundal height and didn’t gain any weight for 4 weeks (and had only gain 12 at that point). I had a growth ultrasound in the middle and everything looked ok so my OB wasn’t too concerned. At my appointments this week (34 weeks) i had gain 6 lbs in 2 weeks (ouch), fundal height caught up, and baby is measuring 5 lbs. Sometimes babies just grow at different rates.

[clairebear]

I always measured small with both pregnancies. I seriously didn't even show until 30 weeks and gained like 15 pounds? I'm also 5'11" and was thin to begin with. I had two healthy girls who were just at 6 pounds, 21 inches. I was so annoyed with them measuring the belly, like why?! We all carry differently, it seemed so pointless. Growth scans showed the girls at 13th percentile and 18th, so definitely on the small side, but despite all the OB's fussing nothing was wrong. 

Try not to worry!! 

[cowgirlcutie]

I don't belong here either but I consistently measured 7-8 weeks behind. My usual doctor wasn't concerned but I had another doctor cover during his vacation and she sent me for a growth ultrasound. Baby measured at 45th percentile at 32 weeks (yet fundal length measured like 25 weeks) so no concern. Also only gained 18lbs and I am slim to begin with. My usual doctor (and more experienced) was annoyed on my behalf for having to bother with another ultrasound. DD was born at 41w1d weighing 6lb14oz and 20.5 in. I also have a long torso so I carried her tighter in my core. I hope that puts you at ease some!

[clseale]

Jul 24, 2019 18:00:42 GMT -5 knx9211 said:

Jul 24, 2019 16:33:50 GMT -5 clseale said:

So I meant to click on H&F and for a split second when I saw this post I thought it was someone doing a bragplaint about their tiny waist. LOL! Anyway, since I am here...yes. I frequently measured a week or two behind with dd and at 41 wks, she was born very healthy at 7lbs 1oz. She was just a smaller baby. I was 5’2” and 115 lbs when I got pregnant, so it makes sense that she wasn’t huge.

Are they concerned with your total weight gain, or just with your pattern? I gained 17 lbs total, but my doctor never batted an eye. They’re pretty non-alarmist anyway, but it might’ve also be because I was very consistent with what I did gain. Even so, eveyone’s bodies handles pregnancy weight differently. I know growth constriction can be a concern, but if you ARE growing, I’d try not to worry.

It seemed like total weight gain. I was 28 weeks and had gained 9-10lb. Gained about 2 in the last two weeks so hopefully that will be a good start.

This does not seem concerning to me, and I think that’s right about where I was at that point with dd. As long as growth continues and doesn’t stall out, my practice would not be the slightest bit concerned with this.

[runnergirl]

I measured behind with DD and fell further behind each time they measured as pregnancy went along.  I had an extra growth scan at 36 weeks, but it was really just a check the box item.  My doctor was never concerned and attributed it to how I was carrying and a small baby.  DD was born at 38+5 at 6.7, so it was fine.

[aprilsails]

I just had a midwife appointment today and while my belly is measuring correctly she felt like the baby was small after feeling my belly up. He has been flipping around a lot so he obviously has a lot of space to work with. She scheduled me for an ultrasound at 36 weeks to make sure everything is ok. I’m not too worried.

[knx9211]

Thanks to everyone who replied and we got a ton of reassurance today. They estimated little one at 4lb 11oz today- 1 lb, 8oz more than just three weeks ago. So obviously she’s growing fine!

She was also in perfect birthing position- head down, facing my back. But we all know she has plenty of time to mess that up! My son was sunny side up and I do NOT want to do that again- three full hours of pushing was not fun.