Small baby

My friend just had a baby in February, that baby was measuring on the 3rd percentile and they induced her a week early. They told her if the baby drops below the 3rd percentile then they would need to get the baby out sooner. She was born at 6lb 4 and was completely healthy.

I wouldn't be to focused on the measurements. I was told my baby was looking at been a big baby I was told around 9lb maybe bigger at 38 weeks so had my c section...I was kept in hospital for 2 weeks so baby stayed with me and when we left he was 6lb 5 at 2 weeks old. They were so off. I was on a GD group and they said the measurements are always off x

How far along are you? And was this a scan or bump measurement? And is it overall size? I just had my second in Feb and he was born on 2nd centile but totally healthy. I was monitored for the last trimester due to measuring small. Bump was below 1st centile and scans ranged between 5-10th centile, had one that got up to 16th and then back down. I had an emcs first time so was trying for a vbac. They advised not to go past 40 weeks and if baby dropped they would induce early so just to keep monitoring. Went for a sweep just before due date and my bump was measuring 34 weeks so even though I’d had a scan 2 weeks before they had to send for another one. Baby had dropped in size but this time the fluid was also really low. So after lots of consult had another emcs but medically planned so different to first time. He was really healthy, just small but not too small. 2.7kg and 2nd centile at 39+4. He has put on weight well since. Now 5 weeks old.

I’m 33+3 and had 2 growth scans so far on which baby has ranged from 5th - 10th centile. @Lauren would they have let you be induced if it wasn’t for the fluid?

Hiya I’ve had two 2nd centile bubs. Both induced at 37 weeks. Given birth at 37+1. Ivy weighting 5.5lb, Noah was 5.3lb. If baby is smaller than 5.8lb at my hospital we had to stay in for 48 hours monitoring x

I had a first centile June baby! I was induced at 37 weeks (5lb and nearly 1oz). We were kept in for 5 days but all was fine. All went well with the induction too and he’s now a thriving toddler who’s flown through centiles. I’m currently pregnant again (37+3) with a baby girl. She’s smaller than my son and looking to only make 4lb something. They’ll be inducing me again at either 36 or 37 weeks.

@Ami @Olivia were you both able to have a normal induction and vaginal birth? @Olivia can I ask why you were kept in? I’m just trying to get as much information as possible!

I had a small June baby measuring all the way through on the 2nd centile I was induced at 37nweeks and scanned every 2 weeks to monitor growth she weighed 4lbs 5oz was perfect xx

I was induced and I did have a vaginal birth! My trust kept babies under a certain weight in for growth monitoring. My little man did just fine and went home on day 5 😊❤️

@Daisy this is what my baby girl is looking like she’s going to weigh! Lots of tiny baby clothes ready 🥹💕

Yes I would’ve been able to be induced if it wasn’t for the oligohydramnios (fluid)… actually could’ve been induced still but was told the chances of success were super low and higher chance of a emcs. Plus I wasn’t dilated at all and for vbac induction they can’t use gels/pessary so would’ve been difficult and baby needed to come out so couldn’t wait. So basically the combination of factors (vbac, fluid, small baby, heart rate variability on ctg, reduced movements) was why c-section was strongly recommended (by 3 doctors as I really had wanted a vbac). But just a small baby alone isn’t a reason for c-section and so long as you have monitoring and baby keeps growing then there is no reason to need early intervention and you may be able to just wait for spontaneous labour or if recommended go for an induction. Remember 5th centile is still normal/healthy range… just means 95 babies would be bigger and 4 smaller. But they obviously want to monitor just in case growth drops etc.

My baby dropped to the 2nd so was told at 37 +6 he was coming that day/night and I didn’t get to go home from the appointment. He had been dropping but they were hoping to keep going as long as possible 39 weeks was the aim but when he dropped to the 2nd it was out that day. I think the issue was he was dropping a lot at a time. (Not that he was small as such) I’d had a baby the year before (13months before) and he was 50 percentile x

@Claire I’ve got a 4th centile baby that’s likely going to be lower at tomorrow appointment (34 +4) and they’ve told me no earlier than 36 weeks and more likely 37 weeks unless they can see an issue with fluid or blood flow. Even if he’s on the 1st centile like my son.

@Lauren thank you, that’s really helpful.