At what point should you be concerned about growth?

Ok, a couple of things have been on my mind. I don't think (and neither does DH) that my belly is anywhere near as big as it was with the other kids. I'm 36 weeks, and to be honest, I don't feel that far along, my bump isn't HUGE (as it was with the others) and I can still lie on my tummy fine and only suffer a little bit when a leg is caught up in my ribs..

Plus, I've lost weight because of all the vomiting and belly problems I have had during this pregnancy - I'm lower now than I was before I fell pregnant. So I'm concerned that the baby is suffering because of my illness throughout and not getting enough of the good stuff ya know? I am fat to begin with though.. lol

Also, my midwife confirmed it doesn't feel like a big baby - the others have been 8 pound 2.5 (39 weeks), 8 pound 11 (42 weeks) and 8 pound 10 (41 + 5) - and she said the other day that it only has a tiny head? (last one was 36.5cm head)

Because of all this, I am considering requesting a growth scan referral from a GP down here, and going and getting one done... but I hate the thought of unnecessary scans being done, so should I be concerned about the baby's growth or am I just being paranoid?

Someone help me make a decision!

If you have lost weight then it could just be that combined with the way bubs is sitting. Being on your feet all day might effect the size though so if you are worried have the scan to make sure.

I wouldn't be too concerned... well, maybe I would. My bump (at 37wks) is smaller than it was with DS at this stage. I put it down to being a lighter weight now than what I was then (does that makes sense? Put simply, the weight I am right now is the same weight I was when I fell pregnant with DS)

What does your GP think? Do you have another midwife opinion?

Best of luck xx

I'm not much help, lol.

I think if you are genuinely concerned you should. Have you asked Anna what she thinks?

I don't know Mel - maybe this bubba is going to be sized more like you and your side of the family and less like your DH. You might get a little petite one this time.

I am also lighter now that I was when I fell preg and my MW told me yesterday that thats the way its should be, That you shouldnt really out on weight at all - as the bub gets the best bits of you and you get the left overs (if any!!)

If you are concerned then Id get the referal to get a scan babe...

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I'm not much help, lol.

I think if you are genuinely concerned you should. Have you asked Anna what she thinks?

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I haven't mentioned my worries to anna, apart from the fact that I was worried about starving the bub because I'm sick and losing weight and stuff - she said not to worry that much, its only a concern if you live in a third world country and live on half a bowl of rice a day or something... lol

Argh I dunno what to do.

Can you call your GP and discuss over the phone and get im / her to print out the referal and leave it at the desk to be picked up?? Thats what my GP does for me...

Are you just trying to find a way of getting another scan to confirm the sex?? lol Only joking. ;)

How does she know it has a small head? Just from feeling your uterus?
From the outside my bellies with the 2 boys were identical. I was told the whole way through from feeling my uterus that DS1 was a giant baby, but DS2 was actually 500g heavier, and his head was was 5cm bigger. The outside isn't always a great indication. Having said that, if you are worried then another scan won't hurt, especially if it puts your mind at rest so you can 'enjoy' the rest of your pregnancy.

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Can you call your GP and discuss over the phone and get im / her to print out the referal and leave it at the desk to be picked up?? Thats what my GP does for me...

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I don't actually have a GP that I see down here, I get in with whoever I can at the medical centre that my GP used to be at before she pi$$ed off up north. I can't get into any other centre in town at all. So I doubt I would get that done!

Berrme - :p I don't think so, although its a nice thought to splash out $270 just to find out the sex! ;)

I don't think there is a problem - it is quite likely that this bub will be smaller than the others and I have known a lot of women who have had pretty decent size babies and then have one that is quite small. It's just the luck of the draw I suppose. Even with my own pgs I knew that DD1 wasn't going to be very big because I wasn't that big at all. With her my belly was nice and round and average size, but with the other three I was massive, with a great big pointy belly. But if you are worried maybe you should try to have a scan just to make sure growth isn't compromised.

Think of all the women in the 3rd world countries with very little food and they manage to have normal size babies and my cousin gets that real bad morning sickness where she has been hospitalised for dehydration and put on a drip many times and cant keep anything down the whole pregnancy and she is really skinny before pregnancy and never gains a thing but loses weight from being so sick and all 3 of her kids were born normal 7-8lb babies.
Try not to worry to much i only have a small belly and all my bubs have measured 2-3 weeks behind and had little heads 33-35cm but all were between 5lb and 7lb and healthy womens bodies are designed to look after bubs first we get the leftovers.

My theory - if you are worried, get it checked. Your nutrition and weight gain isn't an issue at all. Babies are parasites :p - they will take whatever nutrition they need and leave you with what is left. But if you feel there is an issue don't leave it.

I think the lack of movement is getting to me too. Doesn't help when I know DD1 had placenta problems, my sister had a stillborn at 38 weeks and bub didn't wake up with my morning coffee today like she always does :/ Still waiting for movement today actually.

I have my scan booked in - had to beg for a referral cos the GP just thought I was being stupid. Its on Tuesday.

:hug: Oh hun it is so scary when we cant see whats going on in our wombs :) I really hope it is all ok and you should not have to beg to get a referal as you know your body better than anyone! BIG hugs hun xxx

With all these things worrying you, a scan is probably a good idea for your peace of mind :hug:. Silly GP though :shakehead:. Good luck for Tuesday if I don't see you before then.

Has bubs moved much since you posted last? It sounds like it is really starting to worry you, so I think the scan is a good idea.

Some light kicks here and there but nothing substantial. I'm sure I'm just being paranoid right!?

I remember with DS1 that he had this really quiet period for well over a day. I was about 29wks and still working and when I got home I realised I hadn't felt him move in all that time and of course I freaked out but as soon as they put the paddle for the u/s on my belly he started moving. Apparently he was just having some quiet time in there and lots of sleep cycles. I think you have to listen to your gut, pardon the pun LOL, but yeah, I don't think you are being paranoid.

Best of luck for Tuesday Mel. On the movement front gave u tried the usual tricks...ice cold water, lying still etc?

Hey hun. Look, there is probably nothing to worry about but trust your instincts and if you feel worried get a scan done. As for the lack of movements drink something really cold like ezymay said to get a reaction from bub. Maybe she's lying on your spine waaaaay back and that's why you're not showing much???? GL hun!

I guess you've tried all the usual tricks, ice cold drinks etc?

Have you felt anything more from little miss yet hun? We're mum's - its our job to worry! Space could be at a premium right now, so bubs could just be restricted movement wise? But if you're really stressed and can't wait till Tuesday - would the emerg dept at a hossy be able to offer an ultrasound? Or even use of a doppler? (Don't know if they do that in Tas?).

trillian is right, some women do have big babies and then have a small bub

My first DS was born very healthy 7lb 15oz (3.6kg's) my second DS was just born on 18th Dec 2010 and was 2.2kg's so it is very possible to have a smaller bub after a big one
I dont mean to scare you by that either :hug:

Some midwifes do know what they are talking about, my midwife with DS2 felt his little bum and said he feels like he has a really small "compact" bottom lol and sure enough his bottom is tiny as and he did come out only quite small, and my baby bump was very big either compared to DS1

I say exactly the same as everyone else if you are worried i would have a scan just to make sure

Is your fundal height measuring properly??? at 28wks my fundal height with DS2 starting measuring a week behind and when it come time to have a scan at 34wks to check where my placenta was they picked up that my baby was measuring 1-2weeks behind and eastimated to only be 2.5kgs, they then organised another scan the week after and same thing he still measured a week behind and still only esitmated to weigh 2.5kgs, in the end i got pre-eclampsia so couldnt go full-term he did as mentioned above only weigh 2.2kgs, me having such a small baby though was my placenta had started to shut down and wasnt feeding him 100%

sorry for rambling on

Hi, my bubs was small for the weeks all the way through. They said this one would be smaller than my last son, who was 6lb! At 36 weeks my GP requested a scan as I hadn't put on any weight for 3 weeks, and I wasn't sick, I was on my feet alot, but wasn't working, and rested when I needed. Ultrasound showed nothing was wrong with bubs, cord, growth ect..... At 40 weeks bubs was only measuring at 34cm, and they still said tiny baby..... Though healthy. He was born 3 weeks ago and weighed 7lb 10oz!! Not sure where I was hiding him, as I was tiny, as I was with my first. I actually asked the midwife to weigh him again as I couldn't believe the weight after what the Drs were saying. Dont worry, Im sure everything will be fine, though if it makes you feel any better request one. Maybe if your GP thought it was neccessary he/she would do it. With both my children I was small, never showed till at least 20 - 24 weeks, and then didn't grow much! Good luck!

Hi Mel,

Glad to hear that you have booked in for a referral, I think if you aren't having strong kicks etc it would be best for peace of mine to make sure that everything is working as it should be. Although it probably just going to be a petitie little bub, the joys of parenting the stress never ends.

Hope you are doing OK today and that Tuesday goes well for you.

im currently UTD with baby #3 and feel and look small. with DS i was small, then with DD i was massive, now im small again. i think if you're worried, definitely book in to get a scan done just for ease of mind. in fact the hospital i am going to now referred me to go, i think its their procedure, i'll be 37 weeks and they wanted to see how big baby was going to be. on another note, my SIL looked really tiny with both her babies, and both of them ended up being nearly 9 pounds, so baby could also be hiding as well! as for movement, maybe what the other ladies have posted? just try and monitor it, i find my baby is most active at night. hope things go well for you.

Awww hun :hug:

I hope CLD has been kicking up a storm for you and that your scan goes well, at least it will give you a bit fo an indication, my growth scans were pretty accurate, within 100-200grams, but I know they can be quite wrong. What they do it, I would amke sure that you have all the individual measurements, because you've had long babies before the femur length will be one fo the one's that can skew the weight of bub, especially for you.

Thinking of you huna nd if you get at all concerned with the movements definitely give your MW a call.
Take care xxoo

Thanks guys :hug:

Yesterday was a very quiet day movement wise, until I was crouched on a bottom bunk bed trying to put a kid to sleep and she promptly got the hiccups! Not very comfortable for me - the little bugger.

Today has been pretty quiet too, but I think I've had about 10 movements today, so will keep an eye on it.

Hopefully Tuesday's scan will put my mind at ease, and that everything is as it should be.