I am measuring small?

Question

I am 32 weeks and measuring 30 weeks. I have never had this problem with any of my kids. My doctor is sending me to get an ultrasound in 2 weeks. I am really nervous. Now I have to worry for 2 weeks. What causes this?

Answer 1

I wouldn't be worried at all if I were you. With my last two pregnancies I "measured small" and my tummy was 2 weeks smaller than it was supposed to be (for example at 35 weeks I only measured 33 weeks).

My midwife was not concerned about it and I wasn't either. Women carry their babies differently and this can affect your measuremetns. Also, it's always possible your due date is slightly off and so that would throw off the measurement slightly.

With both my pregnancies, even though I measured small my babies were normal healthy weights at birth.

In fact, if I were in your shoes I would decline the ultrasound and just tell my doctor I did not feel it was medically justified since 2 weeks difference is not enough to cause concern, especially if everything else about the pregnancy looks fine. Ultrasounds are expensive and you never want to expose your baby to the ultrasound waves unless absolutely necessary. They are still doing studies on the effects of this procedure. Every medical procedure carries with it some risk.

All the best to you and baby - you'll be fine!

Answer 2

WHAT! Is your doctor daft?!

Honestly you must really have great insurance and your doc must have a car payment because fundal height measurements are always +/- two cm/weeks. Particularly towards the end the baby shifting position can even change the measurement 2 cm.

Unless you were measuring much bigger at your last appointment I wouldn't be concerned at all. I would decline the ultrasound before they "find" something that means you need more ultrasounds, more testing and ultimately and induction and probably a c-section. (For low amniotic fluid, IUGR, or whatever the heck the excuse of the day is)