Babies not growing?

We've been having weekly BPP's for about the last 3 weeks. Every time the babies have both gained about half a pound but yesterday was a different story.
We had another BPP yesterday. Both babies passed with an 8/8, however, they havent grown any since last week. My OB said try not to worry about it because there is a margin of error and they are still within normal range. BUT of course I'm worried about it!! I have another BPP and a growth scan next Tuesday. I would guess if they still havent grown they will take them out; I could have babies next week!! Of course I want them to grow (they are both at 5lbs...so small still) and stay in there a bit longer but I'm also ready to meet them if its time.

Anyone else have experience with this?

 

I haven't experienced this situation, but my doctor told me that the reason we aren't doing more growth scans is because of the margin of error and that the results could end up being confusing with one week showing no growth and another showing more. Perhaps that's exactly what you just experienced. I hope it is. Otherwise, they are a good size and if there time has come I'm sure they'll do well.

 

my dr would not even do a growth scan but every 2 weeks for that very reason.

At 30 weeks my baby A had stopped growing - they had me on bedrest which really helped. I am so excited for you!! I just hope they are growing and continue to do so for a few more weeks!

 

My Dr. also only did growth scans every other week and like Heather I was on bedrest for the final 4 weeks which allowed me to make it to almost 38 weeks :good:
Hang in there & get lots of rest in these final weeks! :hug:

 

I agree that u/s can be off, especially later in pregnancy it will get harder to get right measurements. Also some women start running out of space earlier than others. 5 lbs at 34 weeks is not bad at all. Mine were lower 6lbs range but measured 2 weeks ahead and were born well above average. I think you're most likely doing great. Take a rest more often, eat well and don't stress!

Hang in there!

 

I'm only 19 weeks and my dr won't do growth measurments at every two week cervical check. The only reason is the margin of error and they don't want to throw off the numbers. So, if you're going every week, don't be worried about one week being out of whack. It's not an exact science and if you're little ones move around as much as mine do (well, the one I refer to as "my husband's daughter" likes to do back flips during every U/S) then some of the previous week's measurments may have been a little off.

Keep 'em cooking!

 

Thanks ladies for all the reassurance. I talked to my MIL who is a L&D nurse and she was like why are they doing growth scans every week...they shouldnt do that! I had to explain that they are just doing BPP's but the u/s tech likes to be thorough (which we've always liked) and she wasnt going to say anything until we asked...so kinda our fault I guess.
I'm anxious for Tuesday's scan though, hoping they've grown!!

 

Hi!

We had monthly growth scans. At 34w3d, Ryan, my baby B, was estimated at 4 lbs., 8 oz., and my baby A, Matthew, was estimated at 6 lbs., 2 oz. They did a BPP at the same time - Ryan got only 4/10. My doctors told me it was the BPP results more than the growth results that led them to do the c-section that day.

Incidentally, Matthew was only 5 lbs., 5 oz. (not 6 lbs., 2 oz.)
Ryan was 4 lbs., 12 oz. (4 oz. more than they thought.)

U/s can be off! Try not to worry and enjoy these last weeks.

 

I only had growth scans every 4 weeks as well, BTW. Weekly must be very hard ...

 

We had our first BPP this week (wk 34) and the US tech wouldn't even get the measurements because it had only been 2 weeks since the last one (they were 4.25# and 4.5# at that time). Since the margin of error is 20%, as the Dr let us know, that comes to about a half pound in either direction at this size. Hopefully that is all you have going on.

Good luck with your pregnancy- I start NSTs tomorrow and then have them 2x/wk until delivery. I've only had 1 "real" contraction so far (on Labor Day, funny joke, Babies!) so I'm hoping to keep them in for another couple of weeks... hope yours continue to do well too!

Susan

 

Good luck!! Let us know how it goes!!

 

During my last ultrasound, I had a really long chat with the technician, who has been doing this for 15+ years. I was asking her about how they calculate the weights of the babes. She explained how it's all done by these crazy scientific formulas that are compiled taking all the babies measurements into consideration.

She told me that there's a margin of error of THREE WEEKS in either direction for any single ultrasound measurement.

So my advice is, if your doctor told you not to worry, don't stress. Because chances are, you'll see the growth in the next ultrasound. I know my Baby B just "suddenly" grew 1.5 lbs in a week. I don't think that's possible??? So I'm guessing it was just the difference in measurements.

Think good thoughts, relax, and eat carbs while you wait for that next appointment! ;-)

 

My OB was very concerned about the growth of my girls. I had a doctor attend every one of my u/s and had to have the u/s at the hospital for the last two months of my pregnancy. The girls were only measuring about 3 lbs a piece the week before I had them, however, when I had them they were much larger and it really surprised my OB. As a matter of fact, they needed no NICU time and went home with me. Good luck!!