5.5 lbs at 36 week ultrasound

[tripleccc]

So I had a growth scan last week at 36 weeks because my fundal height had gone down
Baby was measuring about 5.5 lbs
I thought that sounded normal because if they gain half a pound each week that would put her at about 7 lbs at 40 weeks.

Well I went to my 37 week appointment today and the first thing my doctor said was that I have a small baby and she is in the 23rd percentile. So now he wants to do another growth scan next week. He also told me that he doesn't "mess around with small babies" and if I "make it" to my due date, he's going to induce me. I'm assuming that means he won't let me go a day past 40 weeks.

So now I'm all worried about my baby's size, but part of me also thinks she is FINE. I'm petite. Small frame and 5 feet even. I wouldn't expect to have a very big baby anyway.

Ugh. Anybody else's baby measure 5.5 lbs at 36 weeks?

 

[Parkep]

Dont forget the weight of the baby is not exact. It can be a pound difference in either direction. I think hes panicking for nothing? Id go to your next scan and see what they say. Your baby is still the same weight as 23% of all other babies.
If you don't want to be induced id ask for a second opinion. Dont worry too much hun..

 

[tripleccc]

Thank you for your reply. I'm trying not worry. I guess all I can do is just wait for my ultrasound next week!

 

[robyn651]

My baby measured 5.8 pounds at my 36 week ultrasound and the ultrasound technician explained that was well within normal guidelines and that ultrasound measurements for weight at this stage are notoriously inaccurate. My midwife and obgyn never mentioned it.

I'm sorry your doctor has made you worry! It's so tough when you're so close to the end of pregnancy to have an unexpected development crop up! But based on what I've read as well as my own experience with a very similar weight at 36 weeks, I hope you're able to put your worries aside. Out of curiousity, how has your fundal height been measuring?

 

[LoveCakes]

Some babies are just smaller, as long as they're growing that's normal.

Plus remember all the decisions are yours, the dr is there to advise.

 

[star_light]

My babies are smaller at birth and yet healthy and no one worries about them only concern was if they are gaining weight ...my ds1 was 7 lb ag 39 week ..DS 2 was 6. 10 lb at 39 weeks and dd1 was 5.5 lb at 37 weeks yet they all are healthy and and brestfeeding champions ...I have smaller frame body with 5.2 f height ....

 

[tripleccc]

My baby measured 5.8 pounds at my 36 week ultrasound and the ultrasound technician explained that was well within normal guidelines and that ultrasound measurements for weight at this stage are notoriously inaccurate. My midwife and obgyn never mentioned it.

I'm sorry your doctor has made you worry! It's so tough when you're so close to the end of pregnancy to have an unexpected development crop up! But based on what I've read as well as my own experience with a very similar weight at 36 weeks, I hope you're able to put your worries aside. Out of curiousity, how has your fundal height been measuring?

My fundal height has been perfect (doctor even said so every time he checked it) up until my 36 week appointment where I measured 32 cm

 

[BunnyN]

Fundal height can drop towards the end of pregnancy because of less fluid and the baby moving down. In my 1st pregnancy there was actually a drop in my fundal height at about 36weeks. You could see that my bump had changed shape too.

The 23rd percentile is small but not that small especially seeing as you are small yourself. Personally Id want a bit more to go on before I agreed to be induced.

 

[BunnyN]

Out of intrest I just looked it up and 5foot for a woman is something like the 5th percentile for an adult woman in the US so a small baby does make sense to me.

 

[tripleccc]

Thank you BunnyN. That makes me feel a little better

 

[SweetV]

My DS measured 6 1/2 lbs at 36 weeks but due to complications I had to have an emergency induction. He was born at 36 weeks and weighed 5 lbs and 2oz. He spent an extra day in the hospital to monitor breathing for being born early and is in the 5th percentile for weight at just over a year but otherwise completely healthy.

 

[BunnyN]

Do you know your birth weight? Have others in the family had small babies? My 3 were at the oposite end of the scale and above the 95%. There was talk of inducing with my 1st because of being large but I wasn't sure why Id expect anything but a big baby as I was large and so were my brother and sister and I am tall and large boned.

 

[Tanikins]

My baby was born 36+4 (induced) and weighed 4lb 13. So tome your weight sounds fantastic 👍

 

[tripleccc]

Do you know your birth weight? Have others in the family had small babies? My 3 were at the oposite end of the scale and above the 95%. There was talk of inducing with my 1st because of being large but I wasn't sure why Id expect anything but a big baby as I was large and so were my brother and sister and I am tall and large boned.

My birth weight was about 7.5 lbs

 

[sparkle_bump]

In this pregnancy LO was measuring about 5.5lbs also at my 36 week scan and noone seemed concerned. Like you said I just estimated that between then and birth baby would put on another 1.5 or 2lbs so that would even out.

My first was born at 38 +6 weighing 5lb 14oz and I've never had anyone comment on this in my subsequent pregnancies as an issue. Obviously he was absolutely tiny but he grew really quickly and has never had any serious medical issues.

Is it possible for you to get a second opinion, I feel like you're being made to feel frightened unnecessarily.

 

[wtbmummy]

I am too 5ft small frame. My last growth scan at 28w baby weighed 2.2lbs n was on the 50th line.
But my fundal height messurement was only 15th line! My midwife explained it can vary alot by fundal height and ultrasound messurements the fundal height can change almost hourly depending on how baby is laying!!!

She said aslong as I stay within the two outter lines for fundal height it as classed as normal just each end of normal and that there is nothing to worry about!
This is baby no2 for me and my first was 7.4 and two weeks early. Everyone was shocked he was over 7lbs me being only 5ft

You will be fine hunni, sorry your doctor is making you worry

 

[Ellivort]

At 31 wks my baby girl was estimated to be 5lbs, give or take a lb (please take!). i will see on Mon at 34+5 how much she's grown and what to expect. My first daughter was 6'1 at 36 wks when she came early unexpectedly, I feel like things are set up for the same occurrence with this one.

 

[His Princess]

I've been for a growth scan this morning as my fundal height was off the chart (I wasn't concerned as it was during my last pregnancy too. They've estimated the baby's weight to be 4lb 1oz (I'm 31+3) and just below the 50th centile. I measured huge during my last pregnancy and my son was born at 36+5, weighing 6lb 10oz. I know it varies by person but it sounds like your baby is right about where s/he should be.

 

[tripleccc]

Thanks for your replies everyone! I'm 38 weeks today and had another ultrasound this morning. Baby is now estimated to be 7.1 lbs, so I am feeling much better and my doctor was happy

 

[robyn651]

Great news! So happy for you to have some peace of mind 😃