Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Head measuring small at 25 weeks 5 days

I just had my follow up ultrasound due to my baby measuring a week small at my 18 week ultrasound.  At that time, the head was measuring small and my placenta was low lying.  This time, I was told that my placenta is now fine and has "moved" up like they expected, but that the baby's head was measuring a little small and that it was on the margin (whatever that means).  I asked what it was measuring and was told it's measuring 24 when it should be measuring 26 (don't know what that means either.  She told me that it was up to my doctor on whether or not it was something that is concerning.  Can someone give me clarification on this?  I'm waiting for my doctor to call me back, but am worried to pieces until then.
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I am 15 and half weeks pregnant. (With our 2nd baby. I had a miscarriage with our first) But Up until now all my ultrasounds and blood tests this pregnancy had been fine. But My Ob Dr sent me to another dr at a different hospital to have my 1st trimester screening On Jan 4th and i got a call day before yesterday and was told my ultrasound came back fine but the blood test came back saying the baby may have trisomy 18 and then i had to go back in for another appointment yesteday at the other drs office and then they did another ultrasound and before the ultrasound they told me and my husband that they couldnt tell for sure if they baby had it just from looking at the ultrasound they would have to do a amino and they havent yet. But after the ultrasound the tech and the other dr came in and told me that the baby had it b.c it was measuring smaller then wat it should be. They said in 2 or 3 weeks or so the baby only grew a weeks worth. But then the dr said how far along are you and i said 16 and half weeks and he said why r they having u to have this test done now. We usally dont do theses til the mother is 20 or 22 weeks pregnant and that could make the baby measure smaller but then turned around and said that we where gonna lose the baby. They just didnt know when. Im very scared and worried. And ever since i have been pregnant i have been having brown discharge which my dr says is normal and fine but since i had that other ultrasound yesterday i have been having light pink discharge that has light pink clumps or chunks in it. they did do a transvag ultrasound and didnt know if maybe those chunks are dead or old skin cells that may have gotten knocked off when she did the ultrasound. Please Help give me some info please.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ok, I went to a periontologist and the doctor said that when the tech measured the baby that all measurements were fine except the head was measuring narrow, which would be the biparietal diameter. He said it was measuring 22 weeks when I am 25 weeks pregnant. He said the circumference was fine. What could this mean? He wants to see me back in a month just to watch it. It had grown since I was 21 weeks he said.
Helpful - 0
603463 tn?1220626855
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
It sounds to me as though your baby is fine.  Of course you will have to discuss this with your doctor and decide what to do.  Very often, due to the position of the baby when the ultrasound is done (especially if the head was down) the measurements can be off by a week or two.  That is probably what was meant by the tech--the head was measuring consistent with 24 weeks and you are 26 weeks along based on all the other measurements.  This usually is just because of the variation in the ultrasound technology and the skill of the technician and the position of the baby, and usually does not mean that there is a problem with the baby.
If you were my patient, I would reassure you, and probably repeat the scan in 4 weeks.
Good luck!
Dr B
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am an ultrasound tech and that means that your babies head is measuring 24 weeks when it should be measuring 26 weeks. I wouldn't worry about it right now because I am sure they will just continue to follow up and it can vary according to the sonographer that is doing the exam and how baby is positioned. I work at an OB/GYN office and do these exams all day long. I see it quite often and usually baby is perfectly normal.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Don't be alarmed. This is likely a variation of growth. Do u have thyroid disease? They will likely watch you closer to ensure baby continues to grow well. Expect fetal non stress tests at 32 wks every week.(google it) and also BPPs (google it). Also monthly growth ultrasounds. (Any sooner an it doesn't really help). Of at the end of your pregnancy baby really slows down in growth, dr will likely deliver you early to allow baby to grow outside of the womb. Possibilities are a septated uterus. (there's a flap of tissue that's keepin baby to a limited area of the uterus) hard to see on sono. I've seen this several times. Usually pans out to nothing. Small baby. You may consider amniocentesis to rule out birth defects or syndromes. Consider the risk in an amnio. Consider family histories of genetic issues. Ask to see a perinatologist. They specialize in high risk pregnancies. Again. You may be fine. It may be the ultrasound technician couldn't capture your baby well. Some babies move a lot making it hard. Ask of it was one particular measurement or all in general. They do several parts. The head circumfrence, biparietal diameter, abdomen, femur length. Look up intrauterine growth restriction. I'm sorry, I don't mean to alarm you. But I feel that some doctors don't  alaways give their patients the whole story. I don't mean to alarm you because most always it's nothing. A simple variation of the us tech or the simple fact that babies are always different I size anyway. I just want you to be informed so you know what questions to ask.
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy Forum

Popular Resources
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.