Growth Question

I am 20 weeks with b/g twins. I went in last Thursday for my anatomy scan, and my baby B - the boy - is measuring 17% behind baby A. He has always been smaller, but has dropped from about the 25th percentile to 13th since 12 weeks. My dr wasn't too concerned at this point, but I am worried. When I was having my US the tech complained the entire time that she couldn't get the measurements because I didn't have enough amniotic fluid. Could that have made a big difference in the measurements? I am wondering if I should have taken her up on the offer to go to the perinatologist now. She said if I want to she will send me now, but that because they aren't ID she isn't too concerned. Any thoughts? I did look at the IUGR link, and I am so scared this is the start of IUGR. Thanks in advance!

 

Do remember they are 2 different children and not id. Fluid levels can cause measurement issues as well as crowding. If they are pressed together or in a weird postition they often have trouble getting good reads. If you are worried do bring it up with the dr and don't google

 

If your dr isn't worried, then it probably is ok... you can always wait until your next scan (do you know when that will be?) to see if he's catching up or what's happening that that point......
At times my boy would measure behind, then the next u/s they were like 2 days apart only... so they definitely do grow at different rates/times.

But if you are worried and won't be able to rest, then definitely see a peri to get some peace of mind

 

It sounds like the tech couldn't get the angle s/he wanted. Perhaps a follow up u/s in a couple of days could be done with a more experienced tech to give you peace of mind?

 

My baby B also always measured smaller but my OB said as long as it was less than 20% discordance then he was not worried. In the end baby A (girl) was 5lb 3.3 oz and baby B (boy) was 5lb. Remember ultrasound weights are an estimate!

 

If the tech couldn't get a good angle, then the whole result can be grossly inaccurate.

Personally, I would follow up with a peri because they often have the best ultrasound equipment and techs and can get more accurate ultrasound results. And it can't hurt to get the opinion of the high risk doc--IUGR does occur in fraternals (and low amniotic fluid often accompanies it) so I would want some follow up by a peri to figure out if this is what is going on or not. And it really could just be a "bad angle" cause they are so small at that age that just one small mismeasurement can mess up the whole result and give an inaccurate weight estimate.

Don't google IUGR!!!!! The stuff that comes up is the really extreme cases. If you look around this board, you will see tons of IUGR babies who--with careful monitoring and often bedrest--are now thriving.

 

Best wishes to you !! My dr always said as long as they aren't 25% difference we don't need to worry. But I would go to the peri-- I agree that given the chance to get closer monitering is somethig you should consider even if it's
just to help ease your anxieties.