Growth scan 30+4

Hey everyone, I had a growth scan yesterday and everything looked good in terms of oxygen levels, placenta flow, and amniotic fluid. However, my baby is now on the 20th percentile, down from 33% just two weeks ago (a 13% drop). They’ve reassured me it’s not a major concern unless there’s a drop of over 30% or if fetal weight drops below the 10th percentile. While I’m trying not to worry, I can’t help but feel a bit concerned. I won’t know much more until my next midwife appointment at 34 weeks, which is in about 4 weeks. If my bump is still small, I might be sent for another scan. I’ve got a 13-month-old, and never experienced this with him—he was always on the chunkier side 😅. I’m also thinking of contacting my midwife to possibly book an earlier appointment to keep an eye on things. Has anyone else experienced something similar? If your baby dropped below the 10th percentile, what happened? Or what’s the next step if that happens?

Show your support

My last baby was just under the 10th percentile. They wanted to induce us at 39 weeks which we declined and had extra monitoring instead which we didn’t need as we went into Labour at 39+1

Currently baby is measuring 1.5th percentile down from 3rd at 21 weeks… they want to do all kinds of testing and been referred to fetal growth clinic for the second time, but she’s just small! My boy was born on the 5th percentile and absolutely perfect!! They will keep monitoring you till they arrive. One thing I’ve learnt is the NHS like to scaremonger quite a lot. With my first they pushed for induction so much because of his size and I agreed and had him at 38 weeks, but genetically me and my husband just make small babies xx

@Sadie I'm in a really similar boat to you ❤️ first one they never picked anything up though (lockdown baby) and he was born on 2nd centile. Second one is currently measuring 3rd centile so I've been closely monitored including fetal medicine, and have been offered some quite invasive testing too. Also very petite myself so I don't really expect to be making 'normal' size babies. It's nice to be looked after, but all the extra appointments have caused more anxiety than good. From what I've heard, the scans (and especially bump height) are quite inaccurate anyway, so take it with a pinch of salt ☺️

@Georgina it’s frustrating isn’t it! This is dad’s 4th baby, but only girl and girls are usually smaller, none of his children have been above the 10th percentile… I’m pushing for a home birth I think that adds to the levels of intervention they are pushing. Let us be 😂😂

These in utero measurements are highly inaccurate, and they get worse as baby gets bigger, because they become harder to measure. One of my ultrasound techs told me that baby's belly is one that can completely throw it off. I wouldn't worry about this drop, mine jumped through percentiles in utero and now she's 68th in weight and 86th in height. Her torso is too damn long and I can't keep undershirts on her to save my life. 🤣

Thank you all so much! Not sure it’s genetically small baby as my son was the opposite 🤣 but reading these has been great thank you xx

@Claire really reassuring! Thank you xx

I know someone who had low growth scans throughout and has an early induction because of this. And baby was literally 98% percentile 😮😄 Obviously follow your instinct but I hope it’s nothing to worry about

@Moon oh wow !! 😅

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌