34 week growth scan showed big drop in percentiles

[Snowdropsals]

I'm new here so hoping I've posted in the right place. I had a growth scan last week to (ironically) reassure me as my first baby was small and had an underlying health problem (not hereditary so shouldn't affect next baby).

Anyway, a consultant did my scan and was happy with all of the anatomy. But when I got home I saw that she had plotted the head circumference graph incorrectly and it was actually very small, around 3-5th centile.

I went back to see her yesterday and she said she could see why I was worried but that she didn't think I needed to be. She scanned me again and head measurement was around 5th (slightly higher) but on the 11th centile going by my own dates (I know when I ovulated).

Since getting home, I've compared the measurements at my 20 week scan and the percentiles have massively dropped. Head was 79% and now 11% (by my dates) and the others showed similar drops, abdominal circumference now at 19% and femur at 37%. The consultant didn't seem too worried because she said normally there are other indicators of something being wrong and she could see nothing else, but I am going out of my mind with worry.

Has anyone else been in a similar position and everything has turned out ok?

 

[LilyRian]

Hi hun, i had lots of growth scans as my baby had a heart condition so i know how scary it can be, all i can say is please dont worry!! at this stage its quite difficult for them to get proper measurements from baby as there is so little space left and your baby is pretty much in a crouched or fetal position all the time. they could never get a proper femur reading from my little guy as his leg was always bent. The scans are really only estimates and just give an idea of what to expect they are not 100% and sometimes can be quite unreliable. they recently told my cousin her little boy would be about 6-7 lbs and she had him 4 weeks ago and he was 10lb 7! if you feel a second opinion would reassure you then maybe ask if you can get it cause theres no point in worrying you and bubs but im sure all is fine xxxxxxx

 

[Snowdropsals]

Thanks so much for your reply. It's good to hear stories like that and I've now read a few more about the 20 week scan not reflecting baby's final measurements, which kind of makes sense when I think about it. I'm having a private scan on Tuesday as I can't wait the 2 weeks so I really hope that's all ok.

 

[Snowdropsals]

Just wanted to update in case anyone in the future searches for this kind of thing and has similar worries. I had a private scan today and it turns out that the sonographer at my last scan measured things incorrectly. All is actually around the 50th centile. So my advice to anyone else worried about measurements would be to get a second opinion if you're able to afford it. Also, head circumference is only a concern if below the 3rd centile, so 1st or 2nd centile. And even then it can just be down to genetics or the timing of growth spurts.