Thursday, March 26, 2009

my tiny baby

Well I had my ultrasound today and I can't say it was the most comforting appointment ever. I will now be a worry wart for the next 2 weeks. I have to go back in 2 weeks for yet another u/s. So the baby is measuring 2 weeks behind. She is in the 15% and just a smidge over 5 lbs. As the doctor told you only have to worry when they are under 10%. Great, a whole whopping 5% over. His advice to me was to eat nutritious meals, not lay on my back and drink lots of water. Okay....I will work on that. Of course I am now convinced my baby is tiny b/c I ate a ton of junk and watch tv on my back every night. Just my luck. On a positive note, the spine is formed, the kidneys are working, the lungs are working, the heart has all the chambers. She is exteremly wiggly and the nurse said she could tell she had a head full of hair. Hmmm, maybe those old wives tales about heartburn are true. Of course I am going to try not to worry, but it's not a very good feeling to know your baby is in the 15 percentile for anything. All this time I have been worried about having a giant baby.

Worse case scenario is I go back in 2 weeks and baby is still under 6 lbs, then I have to get induced b/c they will decide she's not getting the proper nutrition in there.

All of this really makes me not like my doctor. I've seen the same doctor for 90% of my appointments. I have seen a different doctor 3 times. 2 of those were midwives. The first midwife caught that my doctor didn't order me to get the RH- shot that can only happen during a certain timeframe. Then this new midwife I saw last time told me I have been consistently measuring small. Well, if that were the case, why did he never mention it? Maybe if he had told me a few months ago I could have been better about my vegetables and watching tv sitting up and it would have made some difference. Grrrrr.

Again, I know everyone is going to post not to worry, but I will. I'm her mom what choice do I have! LOL.

7 comments:

jessica said...

This is probably a stupid question, but if that doc has been so bull-headed about other things, is there any chance his due date is off by a week or two?

And, I know you'll worry no matter what, but my Lola arrived at 36 weeks, 5 lbs. 10 oz. as one healthy little bug. She had a smidge of jaundice the first night, but that was it.

Audrey said...

Honestly, your doctor probably didn't mention the baby being a little small because it's nothing to worry about. He probably sees babies that are measuring 2 weeks behind the average all the time that turn out to be just perfectly sized when born and so knows that telling you this would only unnecessarily worry you. 5 lbs is fine for a baby to be born at. I've had two friends now give birth to babies that are under 5 lbs and while they are teeny little girls they are healthy and perfect. And no, eating junk food and laying on the couch did not make your baby tiny.

You'll be fine. Both of you.

Clare said...

nothing you did caused her to be small...and sounds like she's healthy, just small! you were healthier than 99% of most pregnant women.

Chelsea said...

I just got back from Lucy's 6 month appointment and she's in the 10th percentile for weight. The doctor isn't worried and neither am I-she's just a skinny girl-lucky her! No matter what you think you are a very tiny person so it makes sense that you would have a tiny baby. Hey, look on the bright side-little babies are easier to birth!!! Lucy was 6 pounds 2 ounces when she was born and there was not one thing wrong with her-she just wore preemie clothes! Try not to worry (I know it's hard). And DO NOT beat yourself up! You've been doing just what you should. Tell that doctor to go suck it.

Angela said...

I agree..don't stress. Some babies are just smaller, the occasional junk food and your angle of incline while watching tv isn't going to change her size. And besides, I think one other lady mentioned it...your docs due date could be a couple off weeks off!

Big does not always equal healthy and vice versa. Besides, percentiles are only to get a starting point to make sure that they're growing at a steady rate at each visit...NOT to compare your child to other children.

Sara said...

Just found your blog. Don't worry I measured 34 weeks when I was a week overdue and my daughter was almost seven pounds. The ultrasound can be up to two pounds off too. Good luck with everything! Before you know it your beautiful baby will be here and you'll forget you were even worried!

Angela and David said...

Like others have said the ultrasounds can be way off. They told me I was having a 10 pound baby and mine was only 8.5 pounds. And you'll worry no matter what but just breath deep, eat well and try to get some rest!