What kind of things can make a baby smaller?

[Fluffbum]

We just had our 19 week scan, and baby is a few days smaller than our dates.
It's only four days difference. But it's worried me a bit. Purely because our first two were both at least 5 days bigger (DS was 11 days bigger) than dates.

Is it me? I'm fitter and healthier than ever before have I done something wrong?

I feel like I've let this baby down somehow.

[LoveyDovey]

I really wouldn't be worried over four days.

You could have ovulated four days later in your cycle than you thought.

There is also operator error with scans, and they can be up to 7 days out. My doctor told me (as we measured four days ahead) that they tend to ignore it when it's under 7 days out.

So don't stress...you haven't done anything wrong

[maybenumber3]

I wouldn't worry, your edd is just a guide, I'm sure bubs will be fine

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[Cherry18Bloss]

No u have not let ur baby down! Just like us babies have growth spurt in the womb so ur baby may be due for another growth spurt soon! My second bub was measuring small and I had to have growth studies done ad they said she was only goin to be in 25percentile for her size and when se was born she was bigger than average but ultrasounds aren't always true indications of the size of bubs it is a process of measuring limbs and head and puttin all the numbers into a computer along with dates it Isant always accurate
Also sometimes ur dates are out too and that can cause variances!
Apart from that the only thing I know that can cause a small baby is smoking while pregnant! So try not to worry ur being a great mum

[MMelissa]

My bubba was born in the 10th-ish percentile (2.7kgs) and had an APGAR score of 9 and 9.

Who cares!! You might just have a petite baby. That doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them. If you're looking after yourself, don't stress. Some kids are smaller than others.

[WorkingClassMum]

There are a myriad of reasons why a baby might be small for age on a scan

Your dates might be out, you may have ovulated later that usual - yep this can account for as much as a week even 10 days

Genetically - Your baby might be blessed/cursed with smaller stature their entire life - I have one uncle who's over 6 feet tall and another who's a good 6 inches shorter - and the shorter one has been smaller than his younger brother ever since they were about 2 and 1

Growth spurt - bubs just might be due for a growth spurt

There can be an underlying health problem - and I am sure the Dr's will be
looking out for this.

Its good to be aware of a potential issue, but stressing out about it will only make it worse.

((hugs))

[Fluffbum]

Thanks everyone.
I don't smoke, so that ones out.

I guess I just have it in my head that DH and I both make bigger babies.

The EDD I have is based on an early scan (6weeks). I was pushed back 6 days at that first scan! And now the baby is 4 days smaller... So ten days total difference according to LMP.

Kids...
They know how to stress us out

[mummyJ]

Don't stress at all a out a morph scan! Babies have total growth spurts at that time so is probably due for one soon.
All my babies have had significantly lower morph scan size reads but all were born between 4.2-4.6kg!!!!! Doesn't mean you'll have a small baby at all. But as long as they're healthy, who cares! :-)

[daysta112]

Don't stress, ds was the right size according to the due date, when he was born a week overdue the midwife commented that he must have been 3-4 weeks overcooked, some baby's are bigger and some are smaller. Don't stress,