Fundal Measurement Not Increasing-Worried!

[Ladybuggz]

Hey Ladies,
The past 3 midwife appointments (from 32-35 weeks) have measured my fundal height as 31cm. There has been no increase in close to 4 weeks. My midwife today has organised a hospital appointment next week but I'm feeling worried. I've been ill with flu the past few weeks which has affected my fluid/food intake so I'm hoping that that may be the cause and not something more serious. Anyone have any similar experiences with fundal height?

 

[liz1985]

No personal experience sorry, but a girl I work with was measuring small, and then no growth for a couple of weeks. They sent her for a scan and baby was measuring perfect, no explanation why she was measuring behind, except fh isnt that accurate. She had to go back for another growth scan a few weeks after just to check but that was fine too.

Hope everything goes well at your scan try not to worry too much.

 

[LisaDanielle]

I was measuring behind at 35 weeks - my measurements were the same as they were at my previous appointment. My doctor wasn't worried though, because:
1) The baby's head is engaged, and therefore the baby has dropped.
2) I haven't changed my eating habits.
3) I gained the appropriate amount of weight.
4) Fundal height measurements are notoriously inaccurate.

 

[dreamer_x]

Just because your FH doesn't increase doesn't mean baby's not growing. My friend was 32 weeks and only measuring 28, went for a growth scan and baby was fine! Your body can only grow so much, especially if you're small to begin with. My bump hasn't grown an awful lot since 30 weeks but baby's measuring right on track so I wouldn't worry too much

 

[Kay_Baby]

I had this issue in my last pregnancy I even shrunk between appointments once. They did a growth scan and everything was fine, babies come in all sorts of sizes and everyone carries differently.

My cousin had to be heavily monitored during her pregnancy for not gaining weight and always measuring miles behind in FH. She had a 9lb baby last week after they spent ages predicting a very small baby. It's all just a estimate they can't predict accurately at all even with a ultrasound.

 

[LisK]

I had this issue last pregnancy and I am having it again this pregnancy (currently 3 weeks behind). Baby is a normal size on the scan.

Are they sending you for a scan?

 

[littlesteph]

I did with my first.
At 34 weeks I was measuring 29. Got sent for a scan and then got induced with him at 36+4 weeks because his growth wasn't what it should have been.
if this is the case for you although it is worrying you are in the best hands.

 

[Mrnmrsm]

I wouldnt worry. My sister was measuring 28 weeks behind at 38 weeks (yes 10 weeks behind) and on her growth scan she was fine. Then come out a healthy 6lb14!

 

[Blah11]

I measured behind from week 38 (measured 34cm) and it stayed pretty much the same until I had her.
I ended up getting induced at 41+1 because of it and lack of fetal movement. Out she popped 7lb7!

 

[fashionqueen]

Mine was 24.5cm at 24 weeks then it was 25cm at 27 weeks. But it was a dr doing it the first time and the midwife the next.

Im going back on Wednesday to get it done again as I didnt want to wait until my 31 week appt as it was worrying me.

The midwife didnt seem to be concerned about that more than I was 27 weeks and measuring 25 - because the NHS date me at 28 weeks because they insist on going by LMP but I know I ovulated 6 days later than that. I explained that to her and she said in that case its probably ok then. But if I had been 1 cm less she would send me for a scan.

So then I went home panicking and asked her to fit me in next week.

 

[Kandidancer]

I thought I would share my story.
I always measured a week behind and at 38 week 4 day appointment I was showing less than 36 weeks. My blood pressure was sky high and we weren't sure if baby was breech. I was sent for a scan, and Darcie was showing small. I was induced the same night ( due to high blood pressure and very low amniotic fluid level) and had her the next day. She weighed 5lb12 1/2 ounces. They all expected her to weigh less, she is small but she is perfect (especially her lungs)

But I certainly wouldn't worry to much about it. I found out after her birth I had got preeclampsia so I was very happy that I got everything checked out.
My friend was also told her LO was showing small she was born over 7lb (2 weeks early) but she's just a small size. She's 2 now and is quite petite but she is within the right levels for her age. Xx