5th percentile at 20-week scan?

[Larkspur]

I had my 20-week scan today and while everything looked good (and it is a much-hoped-for girl!) baby is only measuring at 5th percentile. I've been asked to go back in two weeks for another scan to check growth.

Part of me is inclined not to worry too much as both OH and I were small but healthy babies, my brother has had two kids who were quite small, and the scan tech didn't seem hugely concerned.

On the other hand, my first baby was bigger than average (8 pounds 1 on due date/91st percentile) so it seems unsettling to be having a much smaller baby now. Given my family history I would probably feel less worried if this was my first baby, but I can't help comparing to my last pregnancy.

I've left a message with my midwife, but no reply yet. Wondering if anyone has experienced this with a previous or current pregnancy?

 

[Paperhearts]

Babies come in all shapes and sizes. There's nothing wrong with 5th percentile. My 8yo never even made it on the charts and still isn't on the charts to this day. It's just the way he is. Small

 

[Leids]

Congrats on little girl! I'm sure that it's perfectly normal. William measured small in ultrasounds (don't remember the percentile though) and they guessed he would be 6-7lb at birth. He was born 8lb 4oz so he grew quickly.

 

[ssjad]

My 1st and 3rd babies were 97th percentile, 2nd was 50th, and 4th was 5th percentile despite being a diabetes baby.
I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[bumble b]

I had this but my baby is under the 5th centile & off the charts we were sent to UCH on thursday for a level 2 ultrasound & amnio which we will know the results of tomorrow. Its been the most horrendous week of our lives, I think at one point I was dehydrated from crying.

If you didn't get referred then I think baby is doing great. Dates could be slightly out (even a few days massively alters centiles) my ds was also big, 8lb 15oz at 10 days over due so I totally understand your worries.

You might find at next scan she's had a little growth spurt xxx

 

[minties]

8lbs 1 is just over 50th percentile for a boy? Assuming your first is a boy. It's 3.66kg, Sophie was 3.615kg and she was around halfway between 50th and 75th. I'm guessing you meant 9lbs 1oz as that's about 4.1kg...if so...ignore me!

I don't think I'd worry about the scan unless someone professional was worrying.

 

[cait]

No experience personally but my friend is due her fourth baby any day now. her first was a girl and in 10th centile, 2 and 3 were boys and very big! Now she's due another girl and has had lots of growth scans cos baby was low again, around 10th I think - they're not concerned now as the growth is steady enough. So maybe it's a girl thing for you and her!

 

[patch2006uk]

8lbs 1 is just over 50th percentile for a boy? Assuming your first is a boy. It's 3.66kg, Sophie was 3.615kg and she was around halfway between 50th and 75th. I'm guessing you meant 9lbs 1oz as that's about 4.1kg...if so...ignore me!

I don't think I'd worry about the scan unless someone professional was worrying.

We get 'personalised' charts over here, so it doesn't necessarily compare from one person to another quite so simply. They're worried about me having 'small' babies because my first was 7lb 1oz and second was 7lb 15oz, which are perfectly acceptable weights on a population level, but they were both below 10th percentile for me based on my chart. IMO it's a bit of a nonsense, as as soon as they're born they go onto the national percentiles, which aren't just a random stab in the dark. They're done based on your height, weight and ethnicity, but don't take into account your partner's details.

 

[Larkspur]

8lbs 1 is just over 50th percentile for a boy? Assuming your first is a boy. It's 3.66kg, Sophie was 3.615kg and she was around halfway between 50th and 75th. I'm guessing you meant 9lbs 1oz as that's about 4.1kg...if so...ignore me!

I don't think I'd worry about the scan unless someone professional was worrying.

Oh, you're right, Minties, 8 pounds 1 is just above the 50th. I guess I was remembering the percentile from his first Plunket appointment, which was 91st. Looking at the girls' charts, I was less than 7 pounds when born, which would put me somewhere between the 9th and 25th percentile, and OH was 5.5 pounds at full term, which puts him under the 2nd. I feel a bit better now.

Thanks ladies for the input. I guess I will just have to wait out the next two weeks and hope baby is gaining well.

 

[xdxxtx]

I am sure that baby is just fine! I've heard people told to bump up the amount of fat they consume to help baby gain some weight if baby is on the smaller side. Given your OH's size, chances are you'd end up with a smaller baby sooner or later.

 

[Larkspur]

I am sure that baby is just fine! I've heard people told to bump up the amount of fat they consume to help baby gain some weight if baby is on the smaller side. Given your OH's size, chances are you'd end up with a smaller baby sooner or later.

Yeah, I'm making an effort to bump up the fat and protein I eat over the next two weeks. My midwife also told me to take it a bit easier. Given I have an active toddler, a pretty intense job, a house with 40 stairs in it and have recently moved, I guess it's been a pretty full-on 20 weeks.