My doctor scared me.. Small baby??!

[Nini2686]

Ok so I just came back from my 37 week appointment and I had a growth scan to see how big the baby is. The tech said everything looks perfect, good fluid, and the baby weighs 5lbs and 13oz. She said she is alittle on the small side but she will probably be around 7 to 7 1/2 lbs at birth. I then went in the other room to have my scheduled appointment. The doctor came in and checked me.1 cent dilated and 50% thinned out. She said she thinks i will go before my due date based on all the pressure I'm feeling below. She then scared the **** out of me because she kept talking about the baby's small weight and how she's only in the 20th percentile. She said she likes to see bigger babys and at 37 weeks she should be bigger. She wants me to do a followup scan on tuesday to make sure she isn't going down and she "doesn't want to miss a baby that is in distress".

I am so stressed out now and scared. Is this really small for a 37 week baby??? For you moms, how big were your baby's at around 37 weeks?? Thanks in advance.

[Blakesmommy]

That sounds good nini. I am glad to hear she is gaining weight. I am anxious to see how much mine really weighs. Get induced at 1am tomorrow morning, oct. 1 so hopefully he is not much more than 7lbs himself. Good luck and I hope she keeps the weight coming.

[Nini2686]

I got the rescan and the baby gained 4 ounces from last week. Doctor said he is not concernced (different doctor from last week, I rotate between three doctors). She is now 6lb and 1 ounce. When shes born (if born at 40 weeks) she will probably be around 7lbs. Still one cent. dilated but now her head is very low.

[nicole179]

I WAS SCANNED LAST WEEK AT 36W 5D, AND BABY WAS 6LBS 6OZ.  I AGREE WITH PRIOR RESPONSES, YOUR BABY SOUNDS JUST FINE.  IF EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKS GOOD AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONCERNS THROUGHOUT THE PREG. I WOULD NOT WORRY.  GOOD LUCK

[kjbutcher]

wow congrats oceanv.  good luck nini...hopefully all will go well!

[oceanv]

Good luck with your scan, my baby is on the small side as well at my 35 week scan they mentioned it. I'm having my c-section today (37 wks + 1d) so I'll let you know if the ultrasound was anywhere near accurate as to her being small.

Before you freak out I have gd, high bp and they just think she needs to be out of me as I'm degrading :)

[Nini2686]

Thanks girls. I go back to the doctors today to do a re-scan and follow up growth scan. I am hoping she grew a coupld more ounces. I am meeting with another doctor so I will see what he has to say.

[tivey]

I agree I am not sure what the doc is on about - the weight is perfectly fine and its only an estimate they never get it completely right. besides it can have a growth spurt and put on loads literally overnight so you never know what you end up with. Anything over 5lbs and yours is now est 6 is a good weight and more normal than we think. Please don't worry and relax and look forward to this exciting time and your lucky you will give birth earlier where a lot of us will be toe tapping at the front door at 41 weeks! :)

[kgokgo]

Honestly Nini, I don't know what you Doc was talking about coz my son who's now 10 was born at 37 weeks weighing just under 5lbs and he had no problems, came home the following day. My daughter was born at 42 weeks weighing 5lbs 2oz and she also came home the following day. This one is also on the small side and I saw the midwife today and she wasn't bothered and said some babies are just born small.

Try not to get stressed because the weight they tell you at scans is just an estimation after all. You'll be fine and your baby will be ok. Sometimes Drs just throw comments without thinking of the implications that the comments will have on already nervous (sp) mums-to-be.