Really worried - fundal height 4cm too small

[aggies girl]

Hi

I had my 28 week midwife appointment yesterday and she measured my fundal height at only 24cm - she said it should be 28cm. I don't have a very big bump but it's been fairly small all along and at my 20 week scan the baby was measuring bigger than average.

Anyway she's referred me to a consultant at the hospital (and probably for a growth scan) but she couldn't get me an appointment until next Friday which seems ages away. I'm really panicking about what this might mean - has the baby stopped growing, is there something wrong with it etc. and was up half the night in tears.

Does anyone have any experience of this or know why it could be measuring small now even though the baby was big at 20 weeks?

Thanks

 

[staceyd88]

Hi, its really nothing to worry about, my bump was soo small everyone couldnt believe it and my midwife sent me for a growth scan, she scared me soo much as it was my first baby. I went for my growth scan and they said the baby was too small but let me go into natural labour.

Once my my daughter was born she weighed 7lb 11oz. It was just because my bumb was all baby and no fluid like everybody elses. But she was fine.

There will be nothing to worry about.

 

[tinkerbellita]

I just been in the hospital this morn and I am also measuring small. I'm 32 weeks and fundal height is 28cm. They did a scan and everything is ok and have to have another scan in 2 weeks. They said it may be because I am pretty small myself (Tho I feel huge, have put in 2 stone). You'll be fine.

 

[x-li-x]

im measuring 4cm just over too small i had a growth scan and baby is measuring small and i have another scan on tues to check her growth pattern as she could just be small but on her own chart iykwim. they said baby is healthy no problems ect shes just small so try not to worry hun you could just be having a small baby like me or baby could be a great size just measuring small due to position ect. fundal height measurements are rarely accurate!!

try and stay calm until your scan, im sure all is ok! i know the wait is horrible i had to wait a week for my first growth scan too, n it felt forever, but you have to try be less stressed for yourself and for baby!

good luck with growth scan xxx

 

[baileybram]

I have the opposite problem i had my regular midwife just over 5 weeks ago and i was 21 weeks i was measuring 18 wks but nothing was said then i went back a few days ago at 26 weeks and saw a different midwife who i havent seen before and she measured me at 33 weeks again nothing was said even when i questioned her about it (she just said that the measurements dont really matter anymore as they arnt accurate!!) my son was a small baby and at my scans the baby is quite small so to be honest i dont think she knew what she was doing. I wouldnt worry though this measurement is very inaccurate dont know why they do it anymore.

 

[Cham]

Same thing happened to me.

I was measuring 25 cms at 30 weeks. Had a growth scan and baby was measuring slightly smaller than average (I'm small myself) but had been growing consistenly since my 22 weeks can.

Had an antental appointment at 31 weeks and my bump measured 31cm - if you believe the figures, I've grown 6cms in a week.

The way I see it, is that all women are different and so are all babies, so try not to worry.

 

[laurren2101]

Hi

I had my 28 week midwife appointment yesterday and she measured my fundal height at only 24cm - she said it should be 28cm. I don't have a very big bump but it's been fairly small all along and at my 20 week scan the baby was measuring bigger than average.

Anyway she's referred me to a consultant at the hospital (and probably for a growth scan) but she couldn't get me an appointment until next Friday which seems ages away. I'm really panicking about what this might mean - has the baby stopped growing, is there something wrong with it etc. and was up half the night in tears.

Does anyone have any experience of this or know why it could be measuring small now even though the baby was big at 20 weeks?

Thanks

What was the outcome???

 

[alocin22]

I am going through exactly the same, I had my 28wk MW appointment and was measuring small. Luckily she managed to get me in for a scan the next day. They just checked the baby, measured, Checked the placenta is feeding baby checked amniotic fluid, and said baby is health, just smaller than average. I have now been told i am to have a weekly scan to check on the baby's growth patterns.
It did frighten the life out of me at first and i did get rather upset and had some tears over it. Felt like i was to blame, even though i am a good eater i felt it was something i have done wrong. Have now come to realise that this way baby is being closely watched and should there be any issues it will be picked up nice and early. In the meantime i am just going to enjoy the extra scans.

Try not to worry too much, I have heard plenty of story's where people have been through the same and have had normal sized babies.. some were even past the 9lb mark.
xxxx

 

[hb1]

I have 2 friends with experience of this - one measured 5cm too small and was scanned the next day and the baby measured fine. My other friend was the same and very sadly it wasn't good news.

All I can say is in most cases it probably means nothing but it isn't fair of them to take so long to scan you.

I would insist on being scanned sooner and in the meantime count your kicks and can your mw check you with the doppler to reassure you?

Hope all is well

hx

 

[jstarr]

i have always measured 3 weeks behind but they only sent me for a growth scan when the measurement didnt change for 2 weeks...got me all worried and then found out he measures slightly above average and was about 7lb at 38wks..personally i think those tape measure measurements are a load of poop alot of the time and seem to give alot of people unecessary worries x

 

[mummymadness]

Alot of MWs say small growth is not a worry its static growth wich is to be of concern (When baby stays same size over time), I am a very small lady and always measure behind (Barring this pregnancy lol) And always told not to worry i had 6lb babies and was told for my size that was fine and never to expect a 10lber lol. xxxx

 

[summer rain]

In my previous pregnancies they never checked fundal height, it's only in this one they have.