If Baby Isn't Getting Bigger at 32 Weeks
No, there's not necessarily anything wrong if your baby is small for dates. Babies grow at different rates and some are simply smaller than average. Measurements aren't always accurate either. Your midwife may offer you a growth scan though, to be on the safe side. Occasionally a baby isn't growing as expected and this is called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). You may also see or hear it called fetal growth restriction. It can happen for lots of reasons. If your baby has IUGR everything will be done to find out what's causing it so and your baby get the treatment you need.
How will my baby be measured?
At your antenatal visits, your midwife can get a rough idea of your baby's size by gently pressing on your tummy. This is called palpation. It doesn't hurt your baby, because they're surrounded by amniotic fluid in your womb (uterus).
Your midwife will also gauge the size of your growing womb by measuring your bump. They'll do this with a tape measure, starting from your pubic bone and reaching to the top of your womb. The top of your womb is called the fundus, so this measurement is called the fundal height.
Your midwife should start measuring your bump at 26 weeks to 28 weeks but it could be slightly earlier if your first appointment happens before 26 weeks.
Your fundal height in centimetres usually equals the number of weeks that you're pregnant, give or take 2cm (0.78in) either way. So when you're 32 weeks pregnant, your measurement should be somewhere between 30cm and 34cm (12in and 13in).
Your midwife may also use a customised growth chart. This will take into account your height, weight and ethnicity, as well as how many babies you've had before. If your midwife is using a customised chart, try not to worry too much about your fundal height in centimetres. The important thing is that your baby is measuring within the correct range for you.
If you measure 30cm (12in) or less at 32 weeks, or your customised results are below your range, your midwife may offer you an ultrasound scan to be on the safe side. This type of scan is called a growth scan. It's a more accurate way of measuring your baby's growth than running a tape measure over your bump.
A growth scan can measure different parts of your baby's body. You'll probably have another scan around three weeks later, to see how your baby has grown in that time.
Try not to be too worried if you have to go back more than once. Each time you have a scan, the sonographer can take detailed measurements that will give a clear picture of how your baby's doing.
There are plenty of reasons that a healthy baby may appear small. It could be that there isn't much fluid around your baby. This may make your bump appear smaller, even if your baby is the right size. The position your baby's lying in, and your own height, shape and tummy muscles can all affect the measurement too.
Babies also grow at slightly different rates. Your baby may appear small for a while and then have a growth spurt.
Some babies are smaller than average because the people in their family just happen to be small. Others are small because of their ethnic background.
Generally speaking, if your baby's active, they're likely to be fine but it's still best to get checked out. In the meantime, contact your maternity unit straight away if you notice any changes in your baby's movements.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or fetal growth restriction
Occasionally, babies don't grow at a healthy rate. This may be because of problems with the placenta, caused by the pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia. If your baby isn't growing at the expected rate, doctors will say your baby has intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), sometimes known as fetal growth restriction.
You and your baby will be carefully monitored to make sure they're getting the oxygen and nutrients they need from the placenta. Your doctor may request a special scan called a Doppler to check that the placenta is working normally. It's called placental insufficiency when the placenta is not working normally.
Your doctor is likely to check your baby with a Doppler scan every two weeks, or more frequently if there are any concerns with your baby's wellbeing. Your doctor may also want to record your baby's heartbeat using a cardiotocograph (CTG) and recommend further scans to check your amniotic fluid levels.
Some hospitals have day assessment units where these tests can be carried out. You'll be an outpatient, so you won't be admitted to hospital overnight.
However, if your baby's growth suddenly slows a lot you may need to be admitted to hospital. If doctors are worried about your baby's health, they may advise you to have your baby early. If this happens, try not to worry. You will be in the hands of an expert medical team. Their priority will be making sure you stay healthy and that your baby is well cared for.
Find out more about low-birth-weight babies in pregnancy.
Sophie Bell is an editor at BabyCentre. She updates and creates health content and is responsible for email newsletters.
If Baby Isn't Getting Bigger at 32 Weeks
Source: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x552707/my-baby-is-small-for-dates-is-something-wrong
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