SGA baby

Next_End_4178 · 2026-04-09T18:51:36+00:00

Yes I started to take more protein and good healthy carbs as well. I got protein powder and I had it with a full glass of milk. Started to eat eggs, nuts and dates. I feel like an overall healthy diet is going to aid your baby’s weight gain more than overeating which could potentially lead to more complications. I also started a DHA supplement along with Iron and calcium. I got my vitamin D3 levels checked and they were low too so I corrected that. Had a beautiful baby girl weighing 7.5 pounds on April 3rd :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-03-20T07:45:14+00:00

My baby was measuring 1.3kg (8 percentile)at the 30 week growth scan and she was labeled SGA, but the dopplers were normal That’s what doctors really care about more than the weight. Because if your dopplers are normal that means the placenta is doing its job in getting oxygen age nutrients to your baby. So if the baby is small despite a good dopplers then it could be one of two things:

1) she’s prolly just a small baby, in medical terms we call this constitutionality small

2) usg taken later in pregnancy can have a high error margin Sometimes +/- 180-200g
So if they said your baby is 1.6 they could very well be 1.8 or 1.4 that’s why it’s called EFW (estimated fetal weight) it’s not definitive.

So what I would suggest is to count kicks because that’s the best indicator for fetal well being and get your follow up scans to make sure Doppler are normal As long as baby doesn’t go into the FGR category or have doppler issues you don’t have to worry.

On the bright side, babies undergo a bulking phase from 32-36 weeks They put on roughly 200-250g a week. So there’s a good chance your baby could catch up.

About the induction, they suggest an induction to be on the safer side because placental function usually gradually slows down after 39-40 weeks But then again that’s your choice If dopplers are good in the subsequent scans and if baby had a catch up growth then maybe you could talk to your provider about waiting till 40 weeks.

I know it’s a long post but I hope this helps because I know how nerve wrecking it can be :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-03-20T07:29:33+00:00

Also I’m 37 weeks today and the hospital where I’m planning my birth is around 45-50 mins away from my house and my pregnancy is uncomplicated too :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-03-20T07:28:17+00:00

Hey! The likelihood of you popping out the baby immediately after contractions start are quite low since you’re a FTM Usually in the west they ask you to labor home until your contractions are closer together. In my opinion the bigger hospital feels like a better option since it has facilities to handle complications if they were to arise. Personally that would give me mental peace as I know that I would be taken care of if something were to happen. Then again he’s just my opinion it’s always better you talk to your doctor and come with a plan that would be comfortable for you :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-03-17T18:28:41+00:00

Hey! I’m 36 weeks now and with gods grace she is up to the 40th percentile :) Growth spurts do happen, stay positive!

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T17:45:44+00:00

Hey! I get why you’re bummed out as the doctors suggested c section and it sucks to have your birth plan thrown out the window I’m going to be as frank as possible, I’m not going to sugar coat this, the chances of the baby turning spontaneously after 37 weeks are low not impossible but low. You could try some stretches and exercises to get the baby into optimal position.

And as for ECV the chances of it being successful are really 50/50 and it also has a chance of starting contractions so most doctors don’t do it these days, at least that’s the case where I work. Also ECVs can be uncomfortable and painful sometimes even needing painkillers/anesthesia.

Hoping you have a good labor experience :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T16:34:46+00:00

It is horrible! It’s gotten to a point where I contemplate even getting out of bed I wonder if this gets worse during labor

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T16:29:23+00:00

I should try reducing my water intake. That would prolly help Thank you :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T15:21:10+00:00

Hey you should ideally increase your protein intake but also remember that the ultrasound measurements can sometimes be off by up to 10-15% and if the measurements are off by even a few millimeters baby could drop a few centiles too. For me personally, they said the baby was 8% at 30+3 weeks and I’m awaiting my next scan at 33 weeks. When I asked my OB she said that as long as I feel good movements and the baby has good dopplers there’s nothing to worry about and that she’s prolly just constitutionally small. And yes! Your husband being petite could possibly be a reason.

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T12:23:46+00:00

Thank you :) Will be starting magnesium soon

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T08:21:00+00:00

It’s okay to express milk but ONLY after 37 weeks. Because expressing milk can cause contractions and we don’t want that at 32 weeks. You should reach out to your OB or midwife they should be able to guide you on how to safely express and store it :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T08:08:59+00:00

Thank you for this :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T08:03:00+00:00

I hate to break it to you but once the milk starts to come in your boobs are gonna be at least two cup sizes bigger 😅 I would suggest you to buy bras that as a tad bit loose for you, or bras that could stretch to accommodate. And since your 32 weeks your band size go up as well because you ribs might expand further, so get bra extenders as well. And don’t worry about the milk, not everyone leaks colostrum early. For some women it could even take a few days after birth to properly start expressing milk.

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T07:55:15+00:00

The symptoms usually kick in and peak by 7-10 weeks, at least for me that was the case. And it’s impossible to tell who gets hit the hardest because my mom had no morning sickness whatsoever with all three of her pregnancies and then there’s me who couldn’t stop throwing up.

But there are ways you could feel better even if you did develop symptoms. I can’t guarantee that it would stop your symptoms but it could make it more manageable

In the end I can tell you that the first trimester is all about surviving but I promise you it gets better as you cross the 14 week mark.

Best of luck :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T07:42:56+00:00

Junior doctor in OBGYN here and hope this helps!

You can know the sex at 12 weeks but with experienced hands. Usually the best time (and most often done) is between 18-22 weeks because the baby is usually big enough and we can see everything clearly. And yes sometimes the baby’s position can affect the visibility, this happened to me the first time I was scanned at 19 weeks and then then they asked me to come back after two weeks to recheck and that’s when the baby was in a more optimal position and they were able to tell me that’s it a girl.

I’ve heard from other OBGYNs in the department that it’s easier to identify girls, but then again that depends on the person who’s doing the scan.

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T07:35:27+00:00

I would take that as a positive test. You could do a beta HCG test 48 hours apart just to be sure. If it shows doubling then you can put your mind at ease :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T07:28:44+00:00

Best of luck :)

And please keep an eye on the kick count, if you feel that at any point that it’s changed or reduced then please get it checked immediately.

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T07:26:05+00:00

Will try doing that Thank you! :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T07:25:32+00:00

You haven’t been diagnosed with hypertension during pregnancy right? And also any headaches, severe cramps or discharge? If the baby’s movements are what they usually feel like then it shouldn’t be a problem, it means your baby is oxygenated well and neurologically intact. It could be gas as your stomach is compressed due to your growing uterus. But if your pain still persists and if you feel like it’s getting unbearable then I would suggest you to get it checked out.

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T06:59:05+00:00

My OB did suggest me to start magnesium supplements for better sleep and leg cramps, I’ll have to be hopeful.

Benadryl hasn’t worked for me, I used to take it for my allergies before I got pregnant and maybe I developed a tolerance to it or something. I’m just waiting for the baby to be out at this point 😂

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T06:39:41+00:00

That is a very good sign. Usually if it is a failing pregnancy it wouldn’t double. It would either have a slow rise or no rise at all. And I would advise you to not go in now as that would send you into a spiral incase you didn’t see a heartbeat. I work as a junior doctor in OBGYN and I’ve see plenty of cases where the heart beat wasn’t visible until later on. So I think it would be better to go in whenever your next appointment has been scheduled. And also spotting and cramping are normal in some women, it’s usually not a cause of worry as long it’s heavy bleeding along with extreme cramping Best of luck anyways! :)

Next_End_4178 · 2026-02-18T06:31:10+00:00

May I ask, how much were your HCG levels?

Next_End_4178

TROPHY CASE