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Sorry it's gonna be a long one... just have to get it out because I'm irrationally emotional and have already cried three times since my appointment.
I had my "almost" 37-week appointment today. I had my u/s first, and I got the mean tech who had performed the NT scan and was super-rude to us. She took a bunch of measurements, and showed me that he is positioned exactly how he should be - head down and anterior.
She checked out all of his organs and his heart, which was just pumping away beautifully. Then she told me that he weighs around 5 pounds. That completely shocked me because the average baby weighs more than 6 pounds at this point. So I said, "Really?" in a concerned voice. Then she said, "Well, between 5 and 5 1/2 pounds." Then I asked her how she estimates weight, and she said that it's just based on his overall measurements, that it's not an exact science. At every u/s, he's been measuring average to slightly above average in size, so I was pretty bummed to hear this news.
Then she proceeded to go back to looking at his heart. He's had absolutely no issues with his heart up to this point, so I wasn't sure why she was fixated on it. And she wouldn't really tell me anything. She just kept returning to it. At one point, I thought she was finished, but she said, "I'm going to look at his heart one more time."
So by the time I left the u/s office and walked down the hall for my OB appointment, I was a bit stressed. Of course, my blood pressure was higher than it's ever been - 120/84. I know that's still normal, but it's high for me. And it appears that I've only gained 1/2 a pound in the past two weeks. My scale says 1 pound, which I guess is still pretty low. However, I'm on target to gain at least 25 pounds, so I don't feel like I'm underachieving in the weight category. But I couldn't help but feel guilty that I've only gained a little bit in the past two weeks, when Jackson clearly isn't gaining the way he should.
My doctor went over the u/s results with me and said that everything is looking good in terms of his organs and all that jazz, so I have no idea why the u/s tech was so fixated on the heart (other than that she wanted to give me a freakin' heart attack). However, she said that he's measuring pretty small for his gestation, so she wants me to have another u/s next Friday to see if he's gaining weight at a good pace.
I just feel like crap, like I'm somehow not doing a good enough job of nourishing him. I know that u/s measurements can be totally off, but I can't help but think irrational thoughts. Everyone who sees me makes comments about how big my belly is, how big my baby must be. And I've even said that I really hope I don't have a gigantic baby. Now I'm feeling guilty for even thinking those thoughts.
I'm hoping that my intuition is right, that he'll be overdue and just needs some extra time to catch up. I'm just overly emotional and can't seem to stop crying, even though I know he's perfectly healthy even if just a wee little thing.
So BTDT mamas, please reassure me that these growth u/s can be totally bogus and not a good indication of the baby's actual birth weight.
I wouldn't worry to much at this stage they can be off by as much as 2 pounds which would make Jackson 7 1/2 pounds which would be pretty big for almost 37 weeks
From personal experience I had an ultrasound that placed him as a GIGANTIC baby in the 94th percentile then my next one a couple weeks later he was only 47% then a few weeks later 52% I know it's hard but try not to worry to much, I am sure he is fine and perfect!
I know exactly how you feel! First, it's not your fault if his weight is behind. You're doing everything you're supposed to be doing, so do NOT feel guilty. Second, I take weight estimates with a grain of salt since they can be off by 2 lbs in either direction.
Sorry your u/s tech was a butt hole! Think about it this way...now you get to see Jackson again next week!
Also, as far as your weight gain....I thought for sure Madeline wasn't gaining since I hadn't gained and lost weight...but it turns out she DID gain. So, don't be so hard on yourself!
I'm not a btdt mom, but I will say that my doula says those weight estimates can be way off. So rest easy, I bet next week's ultrasound will show the baby's looking good!
Don't take what she says with a grain of salt, you already know she's a meanie. Like the others have said, the estimates can be SO far off. I had a friend where they were estimating around 10lbs, and her baby girl was 11lbs 5oz!
Just go to your u/s and be confident that you are doing the best you can for Jackson, and your body knows what to do for him.
Thanks, girls. And you know what? I already felt better just getting it off my chest. I KNOW that these growth u/s can be completely off, but hearing that he's underweight was just the last thing I expected to hear. So my typically rational self went all hormonal and irrational.
DH wants to go out for BBQ tonight, so I'm going to pig out. And now I'm going to do some chores around the house to distract myself. In reality, it was a good appointment, and Jackson looks healthy and vibrant. It really doesn't matter if he's small or big, as long as he's healthy. So I've just gotta check myself before I wreck myself.
I have had to have growth scans for my pg with Sam and now with this one too. I felt like the scans with Sam were totally bogus and just done for profit. This time they were monitoring growth and extra fluid which are both fine and I think they were being overly cautious.
As far as her going over the heart so many times - my tech did this too. She thought she may have seen a pin sized hole but explained that the ultrasound can create an "artifact" and show something that isn't really there just because of the direction the ultrasound hits the heart. She checked that spot on 3 scans and still said she couldn't tell if it was a real hole or not.
I wouldn't freak out about only gaining 1/2 a pound either. I have had sporadic weight gain in all my pregnancies. Sometimes I've gained very little then the next time I've gain a lot more.
I also forgot to add I never measured over 21% and on top of that was born at 34 weeks and I went home after 3 days and am fine to this day Jackson is perfect!
No no no no!! They need to stop the doctors and the techs from doing measurements seriously. They have no idea what they're talking about most of the time! I have heard so many stories like this. "My doctor said my baby is huge." Baby comes out normal sized. "My doctor says my baby is small." Baby comes out completely normal sized. Basically, tune them out when they start talking weights. Didn't TKbunny's doc say her baby was already over 8 pounds like two days before she went into labor? He came out under 7 pounds. My doctors don't do the BS weight thing because they know that is impossible to tell in utero. Don't let them get you down. I bet Jackson is the perfect size for his age. Don't sweat it.
Aww! I'm sure he's perfectly ok. My daughter was 6 pounds at 39.5 weeks and you've still got quite some time. I am petite like you and babies tend to be proportional to their moms--your body has done a great job! He is perfect now and will be the perfect size for your body type and his . Hugs!!
The further along in your pregnancy you are, the less accurate the scans are. That, PLUS, babies (and children) follow a similar curve, but there is wiggle room. There is not an EXACT science to predict growth spurts and things like that.
Be at peace. It sounds like you had an inexperienced technician and a baby who was super low, so and hard for her to see the heart.
Growth ultrasounds are bunk. You are doing a wonderful job nourishing little man so do not in any way doubt that for a minute! Some babies are just smaller by nature. Plus growth ultrasounds are bunk. The only way for them to tell for sure how much he weighs is to weigh him after he's born!
Some u/s techs are such jerks! Plain as that. They should all be forced to take happy pills so they're pleasant.
As everyone has said, u/s weight guesses are just that. A guess. Until Jackson comes out and they put him on a scale they're not going to know. And as for your weight gain, often Moms don't gain much at this point and can even start losing weight so don't worry about that! Just eat as healthy as you've been doing and you're making sure Jackson is well nourished.
Oh, Adrienne. I'm sure he's just fine and that lady needs to be smacked. Are you getting someone else for the follow up scan? I sure hope so!
DH wants me to specifically request someone else. I know I probably visibly deflated a bit when she opened the door and called my name. The heart thing probably wouldn't have bothered me so much if she would have answered my questions at all. She wouldn't, though, so she just got me all stressed out. And then my OB said everything looked good (well except the weight thing).
I really should just focus on all of the positive things, instead of the one thing that can't be determined with any certainty whatsoever. Watch me end up with a 10-pound baby.
You should!! There's nothing wrong in requesting someone, or rather, specifically requesting to not see someone. Maybe she's just lazy and didn't even take her time on the measurements? Apparently Ava is being born to the Hulk cause they said she was just shy of 6 pounds at 35 weeks. Of course I took it with a grain of salt cause I really don't see how that large of a baby could even fit inside of me!
Hopefully it was a case of her not being allowed to answer questions rather than just not wanting to. Who cares what she thinks anyway, as long as the doctor says Jack is doing well!
aww i'm sorry they got you so nervous! I've never known a growth scan to be super accurate. And if it makes you feel better, I actually LOST 4 lbs between my appts and my doc said it was fine.
Hugs. I know just how you feel. I had a scan a couple of days ago to confirm position and the tech gave me an estimated weight. I believe she was an intern and I know just as well as you to not put any stock into the weight thing but hearing a number gets that 'what if' buzzing in the back your mind. For what it's worth, apparently Bump is around 4.5 and I'm only a few days behind you. What if, what if Now I know better than to have a late pregnancy scan.
Our babies are just fine and will come out healthy and robust
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Appointment Update... Irrationally Sad... Need Some BTDT Mama Lovin'
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I know exactly how you feel! First, it's not your fault if his weight is behind. You're doing everything you're supposed to be doing, so do NOT feel guilty. Second, I take weight estimates with a grain of salt since they can be off by 2 lbs in either direction.
August 2011 
I'm sure he's just fine and that lady needs to be smacked. Are you getting someone else for the follow up scan? I sure hope so!
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