Measuring small for dates

I shouldnt be too worried should I? I was at the midwife yesterday and she said I am measuring 2 weeks smaller than I should be - she didnt seem to concerned but it has been playing on my mind. Has anybody had any experiences with this? Can it depend on which way the baby is lying? She said the baby is head down but on my notes she said presentation was Longitudinal / Cephalic.

Olivia was early and therefore smaller so I am really paranoid about having another small baby plus I have been moaning to H that my bump isnt big enough for my weeks so this seems to have confirmed my fears.

Mrs Mac

31+6

I take it she used fundal height - which can be a less reliable measure of actual size depending on baby's lie AFAIK, or even the shape of the womb itself. However if you've been left worrying can you call and get your mind put at rest?

aaron was measuring 2 weeks behind, so we had numerous growth scans. was induced at 39 weeks 5lb 6 and perfectly healthy. both my h and i were 6lbers though so he was always going to be small

Yes she used a measuring tape when I was lying down to measure me and I have only grown 2cm since she last saw me at just before 28 weeks. She didnt seem concerned and said she would see me again in 4 weeks when I will be 36 weeks. she would have asked to see me again sooner if she was concerned I think.

I think its my own fears that are playing up.

I still wasn't visibly pregnant to strangers at 32 weeks, and was measuring 2 weeks behind.  R was born at 39+6, 6lb 7.5oz.  As Madonna says, the fundal height measurement is just a guide.  I read at the time that it's most accurate in dating a pregnancy up to just 25 weeks.  +/-2 weeks is considered normal range.  I think a lot less people would worry if they were given a measurement range, than being told 'small for dates'.  I'm sure everything is fine, but you worry about everything, don't you?

Hi - I really would try not to worry.  I measured small about 4 weeks behind from around 28 weeks onwards.  Everyone commented on how small i was etc and this used to really upset me. I had a growth scan towards the end giving me an estimated birth weight of around 5lbs.  Fin was born, granted 2 weeks late but at a very healthy 7lb 6.  These thigns are really hard to predict, especially with the fundal measurements.

My sister in law had a 9lb baby first time around and then on her second was absolutely huge and measured a good 3 weeks ahead all the way through.  Went 2 weeks over and shocked everyone with a 6lb 2 bubba.

Try not to worry - i was measuring small by between 1 and 4cm for most of my third trimester and my little boy was 7ib 8oz at birth (41 weeks). It's a really crude measurement and I would take your cue from the midwife, if she's not concerned then don't worry. I had a scan at 34 weeks to check my placenta and they were predicting baby to be 8lb 9oz at birth based on their measurements so it's really not an exact science. If it is playing on your mind, give your midwife a call for some reassurance.

Katy x