Concerned - Baby is underweight

I am a little over 28 weeks and I just got back from my appointment and am very concerned.  I am barely showing and have a net weight loss of 3 lbs so far this pregnancy ( lost 14 and have gained back 11).  The doctor hasn't  been overly concerned until now.  The prior ultrasounds were showing him growing pretty well, with a slightly smaller abdomen.  Now the abdomen is between 3-4 weeks behind the head and bone measurements.  As well, my fundus height is measuring behind.

On the positive side, I have no GD, the tests for pre-e came back very good, and my anemia remains, but it has not gotten worse.

He doesn't think there is much we can do other than monitor him.  I am eating all that I can manage, don't drink, smoke, etc...  I can't help but feeling that somehow I am not getting him everything he needs.

Has anyone had a similar experience? 

Tonya

Hi there,
 I haven't had this experience, but I just wanted to offer support and say that we will be thinking lots of positive thoughts for you! Hang in there! 

Thank-you.  I had no idea how difficult it is if they tell you there is possibly something wrong with your child.  The whole pregnancy I have had problem after problem, but he was always fine.  These didn't bother me a fraction as much as hearing it could be something with the baby.

First off, I must say I LOVE where you are.  We were station in Vilseck and Fulda.  Back to the subject.  All three of my boys measured small.  At birth they were all right around 5 pounds and 4 ounces.  They were also around 17 inches long.  They did take them a week or two early but that is it.  I only gained 8 pounds with one and 14 with one and around 18 or so with the last one.  They are all healthy boys ages 2 months. 1 year, and 2 years old.  I hope this helps ease your mind some.  God bless you and your family.
Tonya  (Nice name lol)

Hi Tonya,

Germany is a mixed blessing at the moment.  I am Canadian, so this is not exactly home.  The medical care here is outstanding, but it can be a little overwhelming to have a lot of stuff coming at you in a foreign language.  

After having a day to think things over and google (God forbid) I have decided to think positively and that he is just skinny, healthy, and everything will work out fine.  Thanks for the examples that some of us just have small, healthy babies.

All I can say is keep eating and taking your vitamins. Don't over do it, I am sure you docs will monitor the baby. the fundal height can vary alot and is not an exact science. And u/s can be off sometimes too.

Example....The baby I lost had a perfect u/s and then when born had a cleft that didnt show on the u/s. Or they say its a GIRL then a boy comes out :P

I know its hard not to worry but hopefully its just a wrong calculation!

Thank-you.

I do understand that ultrasounds are not perfect.  This is why I didn't worry at the last one, when I first got the info that he was small.  It is the second one saying the same thing, which was done on a different machine, by a different doctor that got me concerned.

I am on weekly visits starting now and they will monitor him.  I know that I have been doing all I can and have to put faith in others.

With my son, in the last week the doctor gave me an ultrasound and it showed him to be right at 7 lbs.  Well 4 days later and 4 days overdue he was born 10lbs. 4oz.  so yes they can be very inacurate on size.  Hope that eases your mind some

Durring the last few weeks of my pregnancy with my daughter, my fundal height was always 2-3 weeks behind. At 34 weeks I had an ultrasound and they estimated her weight at 3.5 or 4lb I can't remember. ALL the girls on my messege board due date club (www.twoweekwait.com) said that their babies were estimated at 5-5.5 pounds already.

I too was having Non stress tests and bio physical profiles, (NST BPP) done twice weekly and she seemed to be doing awesome! practicing breathing at every ultrasound and everything.

She was born after an elective induction (we told the doc we'd feel better the sooner she was in our arms) as we've had many early losses before. We didn't want anything to happen last min. She was born 39w3d and she weighed 5lb 12oz. She was tiny but her Apgars were 9 and 9. She was/is perfect. TO THIS DAY she is tiny. Her height is shorter than average and her weight... lets just say she's dropped off the bottom of the growth chart.. She is well below the curve, creating her own personal line. She's 19 months and just hit 20 pounds. She's basiclly the size of a 9mo =P She doesn't eat much at one sitting, she prefers snacking, but sometimes she can put away more than me! just depends on what it is. ALSO she didn't get any teeth untill she was 14 months, so... I like to say that's why she has a hard time chewing meat and things like that.

I started her pregnancy at 159lb and when I delivered I was 185. So, I gained close to 30 pounds, and as you can see it was NOT "ALL BABY"

I never really showed. Still had 2 fat rolls untill the end. Made me so sad. I guess I KIND of looked pregnant. You can look in my pics, I have some belly pics put up there.

I'm 20 weeks with a boy now and I've gained 12 pounds already. This pregnancy I started around 170. I NEVER got down to pre preg size, and I breastfed her for 18 months! =P

Good luck and keep us updated!