Measuring Small and Possible Growth Restriction?

Hi L.,

Our daughter was 3 lb 9 oz and born at 35 weeks. My OB noticed at my 20 week ultrasound that she was measuring small and just decided to watch her with frequent ultrasounds and biophysicals (where they assess the fluid flow, diaphragm movements, etc). Although she was small, she was growing steadily and it wasn't until an ultrasound at almost 35 weeks that they noticed her growth had slowed down and they decided induce.

What they call it is IUGR...In Utero Growth Restriction...in my case, they have no idea why it happened. From my experience, it seemed that the most important thing is that the head is measuring a bit bigger than the body because that means the baby is taking the majority of the nutrients straight to the brain and allowing the rest for growing the body, but I'm sure your doctor will tell you more about that, if this is the case with your pregnancy. Remember, there are a lot of people who are told their babies are small at your point of the pregnancy and the baby catches up towards the end. This can certainly happen so don't rule it out.

Now, on to the good stuff....regardless of being born so small, our daughter was as healthy as can be. She did have to spend a week in the NICU just because of her weight and to monitor her but she never needed oxygen, never had any heart rate drops, she was totally healthy. They couldn't believe they were sending home a baby that was still so small but all the nurses were doing was watching her, I was there feeding her and changing diapers most of the time so they decided we could do that at home.

She's 11 months now and she is still small and we have had some struggles with feedings...she doesn't like to eat much, but other than that she is really healthy and I've been told that IUGR babies usually catch up so I'm not that worried about her being small. As my husband and I joke, it's easier to carry her. :)

I spent a lot of my pregnancy with her worrying and there wasn't much point to it, so don't let it overwhelm you. Just follow the doctor's guidance and see how your baby grows over the next few weeks, and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Take care and good luck!
C.

When I was pregnant with my first, they told me at about 33 weeks that they didn't think she was growing enough. I was put thru a battery of ultrasounds & biophysicals twice a week until delivery at 41 weeks. When she was born, she was 6# 13oz and very healthy. She is now an active 6 year old who is "just right" in size. Sometimes, I just think they are over cautious, which can be a good thing. I am now pregnant with my 2nd (due in Dec) and due to my age, (just turned 35) they are being overly cautious with that. Try not to worry, even though it is hard. I am sure everything will work out fine.

I've always measured small. Iv'e always measured. at least 2 weeks behind if not more. But I'm a smaller person. My first baby was only 4.13oz full term and I was told it was IUGR and they weren't sure why.She's beautiful and totally healthy as a almost 5 year old now. My cousin's baby had a cord wrapped around her ankle she she was only 4.3 oz at birth limiting her growth. The baby was fine, just small. My next 2 were between 6 and 7 pounds. If there is, the biggest thing is you are eating high calorie, high nutrient food so the baby is getting the best. If there is a calorie restriction but no other problems.the babies will be born small, but generally make up for it after they are born.The biggest thing if you can after your baby is born is to BF to give them the highest nutrient content.

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth...

I just read this article because I was measuring big. It helped answer some questions for me. Good Luck! C.

Hi L.,

I'm a mother of 6 (5 that I gave birth to). My last pregnancy my doctor said I was measuring small and I was sent to have numerous ultrasounds. My doctor was checking for the amount of amniotic fluid inside the sack. The results always came back fine. The real results, last July I have birth to a happy healthy 7lb, 6oz little girl who currently can't sit down. Relax, because worrying effects the baby.

T.

I measured small throughout. at 37 weeks they decided to induce labor because she started to lose weight. She is just fine two and a half years later.

I wouldn't put too much stock in how big or small you are measuring. It's only an estimation and not a very reliable one at that. You can measure big and have a tiny baby and vice versa. Also, an ultrasound is only an estimation of the baby's size too, it can be off by 25% either way. Don't worry, I'm sure your baby is doing great.

My daughter was also diagnosed with small for gestational age while en utero. I had to go through stress tests twice a week as well as biophysicals. All were normal. They were afraid my umbilical cord wasn't supplying enough nutrients, but that test was normal too (done through the biophysical test).

They felt she was small probably because my husband and I are short, but they were being cautious. So as soon as I turned 32 weeks, they induced, b/c they felt she would thrive better on the outside. That's common practice for any small fetus.

Turned out she weighed 5 pounds 13 oz at birth - almost 6 pounds! They were off a bit as far as her growth measurements. I heard that is common. She was very healthy at birth.

So I agree with the others - they are being cautious. I know this is a very stressful time, and hang in there. Good luck and I'm sure things will turn out fine.

Do not worry. With my first child dr. Said.since 20 weeks on that i was measuring 4 weeks behind. Drs Didnt get real uptight and suggestive on what we needed to do until into my 3rd trimester. They insisted on inducing @37 weeks.and i said no as long as baby was healthy limits on the ultrasound. They had me go in 2x /week the last month. For non stress test and then an ultrasound. Everything was always incheck. One time they told me that amniotic fluid was on the lower half of the range.
I am due in 5 days with baby girl #2 went in at this weeks.check up and saw a different dr. And.she.measured.me.smaller (36 prev. Week and 31+32 this time) i suggested that maybe i havedropped or just human factor butshe was all in my case. Did ultrasound and she said itwas an A+ baby. And then chimes in that babies abdomen was at 36 - when the rnge is 36-42 at this stage, and said she wanted to do a nonstress test and another ultrasound the next week. I told hem thati was not doing it this time as long as i feel baby moving. And said i will see you in the hopsital if you are not going to sch. A regular exam ( which would be on my due date). Dr. Drive me crazy. Please dont worry, myfirst baby was 6lb7 oz and i never measured even close to 40 weeks, and not with this baby either.

I have a son who was born 3lbs 6oz. I had him at 35 weeks - he is 2 1/2 now....and believe me, what he lacks in "size", he makes up for in "personality"!! It has taken him a couple of years to do the full catch up - but we are not "big" people.
It sounds as if you are in good health, and I imagine if there were something, the doctor would act immediately - in my case I developed high blood pressure which restricted the nutrients my baby was receiving, hence his growth slowed.
I suggest to put YOUR mind at rest...if you can get things done earlier DO SO!! It would be more for YOUR PEACE OF MIND than anything else. Hope this helps.