*SAD***My 38 wk sonogram said baby head measuring 3 wks behind??

[cindi7399]

HI!!  I have just got back from my docs office and she said that my baby's head was measuring small for her age/body.  (3 weeks)  She said it is probably nothing to worry about but wants me to go to a more extensive ultrasound next week.  I am here waiting impatiently the results but it is still far away.  I was wondering why or if they could have found this out sooner.  I have been seeing the same doctor since I was 10 weeks.  I also had another 21 week sono.  I have read that the parents head may play a role in the small head and my babys father does have a small head.  I have been crying and scared all day and no matter how much everyone tells me not to worry, it is my precious baby girl.  I have not done any drugs or alchol while pregnant either.  Please help!  What are the chances that my baby will have problems or be retarded?  I feel like I am the only one that is going through this.  If anyone can p[lease fill me in with some helpfull info, I would really appreciate it alot.  God Bless,  Cindi
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[Yao Sun, MD, PhD]

Small head size can be due to a variety of factors, including: familial (you mentioned the father's head is small), growth restriction during the pregnancy from maternal or placental conditions (for example, maternal hypertension or abnormally placed placenta), prenatal infections, and brain structural abnormalities.  The risk for long term neurodevelopmental problems depends to some extent upon the underlying cause.

If you ultrasounds have not shown any other abnormalities so far, that is more reassuring.  You will have more information after your next detailed ultrasound that you can discuss with your doctor.