37 weeks Fundal height only 34cm

I don't know if I need to worry or not but I'm posting to get other peoples
opinions.

I am 37.5 weeks and I weigh 160, I weighed 140 (at 5 foot 2) prior to the
pregnancy and have gained a total of 20 pounds. My last 3 weigh ins showed
that I have not gained any more weight and in the past two weeks I have
noticed that my tummy looks smaller only when I am laying down. I went to my
doctor yesterday and he was on vacation so I saw a substitute. She said
that my fundal height was only 34cm and was worried about the baby's size I
explained to her that I have been experienced lightening and she said to me
that it was impossible and that second babies do not engage until labor is
established. she then proceeded to order a non stress test and a fetal
assessment. From doing my own research I have found that every doctor
measures different and that fundal height measurements are quite inaccurate
and can vary per person. Is it possible that the baby has somewhat engaged
(with the head still floating) and that could cause my fundal height to be
low as well as the change in size of my tummy while laying down?

The one thing that concerns me is my lack of weight gain, but I am told that
the baby will take what he or she needs from the mothers body regardless. No
I have not been dieting, my portions are smaller but I think that is due to
my recent slight nausea I have been getting. But there have been no drastic
changes in my habits or the baby's.

"na" wrote in message news:wPvob.234837$9l5.194741@pd7tw2no...
I don't know if I need to worry or not but I'm posting to get other
peoples
opinions.

I am 37.5 weeks and I weigh 160, I weighed 140 (at 5 foot 2) prior to the
pregnancy and have gained a total of 20 pounds. My last 3 weigh ins showed
that I have not gained any more weight and in the past two weeks I have
noticed that my tummy looks smaller only when I am laying down. I went to
my
doctor yesterday and he was on vacation so I saw a substitute. She said
that my fundal height was only 34cm and was worried about the baby's size
I
explained to her that I have been experienced lightening and she said to
me
that it was impossible and that second babies do not engage until labor is
established.

Well she's full of it as far as I am concerned. I dropped and my DD
certainly engaged and she was my second. And I have watched my SIL, my BF,
my Aunts, friends etc as drop for 2+ pregnancies.

she then proceeded to order a non stress test and a fetal
assessment.

And everything was OK? Movements are fine?

From doing my own research I have found that every doctor
measures different and that fundal height measurements are quite
inaccurate
and can vary per person.

Quite true.

Is it possible that the baby has somewhat engaged
(with the head still floating) and that could cause my fundal height to be
low as well as the change in size of my tummy while laying down?

For both of my pregnancies my belly changed towards the end but while lieing
down? TBH I can't remember, it's been almost 7 years :-)


The one thing that concerns me is my lack of weight gain, but I am told
that
the baby will take what he or she needs from the mothers body regardless.
No
I have not been dieting, my portions are smaller but I think that is due
to
my recent slight nausea I have been getting. But there have been no
drastic
changes in my habits or the baby's.

It's true they will. If you are concerned have you trying grazing all day
so your tummy is never quite empty?

Hope all is well
Jenn
-WAHM
-DS11
-DD6
-#3edd 25/06

Everything in the non stress test was fine, heart beat was great and there
were no changes in heart rate during uterine activity. But like I said, My
lack of weight gain concerns me, ( I try to graze all day but its hard to
keep up when I'm running after a 3yo he he he.) another thing that concerns
me is I had a growth spurt at 27 - 30 weeks and I noticed my growth had
dramatically slowed. I know it has not stopped though because of the
appearance of new stretch marks. I also have a very short torso, the baby is
up to my ribs and if he grows any more there is only one way to go and that
would be down. I'm just venting sort of... My doctor has always told me that
this was the model pregnancy and that everything was perfect, up until this
substitute I was beaming with the great job I have done constructing this
little life. I have made another appointment this coming Tuesday but I still
feel uneasy about this whole situation. At around 35 weeks I noticed I
could breathe, bend over to pick up something on the floor and eat a full
meal... I'm sure the head is nice and deep due to my change in symptoms.
It sounds gross but I can feel the head through my cervix its firm and when
I push up the firmness floats up and then comes back down.

"Fer" wrote in message
news:cawob.234877$9l5.61368@pd7tw2no...


"na" wrote in message news:wPvob.234837$9l5.194741@pd7tw2no...
I don't know if I need to worry or not but I'm posting to get other
peoples
opinions.

I am 37.5 weeks and I weigh 160, I weighed 140 (at 5 foot 2) prior to
the
pregnancy and have gained a total of 20 pounds. My last 3 weigh ins
showed
that I have not gained any more weight and in the past two weeks I have
noticed that my tummy looks smaller only when I am laying down. I went
to
my
doctor yesterday and he was on vacation so I saw a substitute. She said
that my fundal height was only 34cm and was worried about the baby's
size
I
explained to her that I have been experienced lightening and she said
to
me
that it was impossible and that second babies do not engage until labor
is
established.

Well she's full of it as far as I am concerned. I dropped and my DD
certainly engaged and she was my second. And I have watched my SIL, my
BF,
my Aunts, friends etc as drop for 2+ pregnancies.

she then proceeded to order a non stress test and a fetal
assessment.

And everything was OK? Movements are fine?

From doing my own research I have found that every doctor
measures different and that fundal height measurements are quite
inaccurate
and can vary per person.

Quite true.

Is it possible that the baby has somewhat engaged
(with the head still floating) and that could cause my fundal height to
be
low as well as the change in size of my tummy while laying down?

For both of my pregnancies my belly changed towards the end but while
lieing
down? TBH I can't remember, it's been almost 7 years :-)


The one thing that concerns me is my lack of weight gain, but I am told
that
the baby will take what he or she needs from the mothers body
regardless.
No
I have not been dieting, my portions are smaller but I think that is due
to
my recent slight nausea I have been getting. But there have been no
drastic
changes in my habits or the baby's.

It's true they will. If you are concerned have you trying grazing all day
so your tummy is never quite empty?

Hope all is well
Jenn
-WAHM
-DS11
-DD6
-#3edd 25/06

I am 37.5 weeks and I weigh 160, I weighed 140 (at 5 foot 2) prior to the
pregnancy and have gained a total of 20 pounds. My last 3 weigh ins showed
that I have not gained any more weight and in the past two weeks I have
noticed that my tummy looks smaller only when I am laying down. I went to my
doctor yesterday and he was on vacation so I saw a substitute. She said
that my fundal height was only 34cm and was worried about the baby's size I
explained to her that I have been experienced lightening and she said to me
that it was impossible and that second babies do not engage until labor is
established. she then proceeded to order a non stress test and a fetal
assessment. From doing my own research I have found that every doctor
measures different and that fundal height measurements are quite inaccurate
and can vary per person. Is it possible that the baby has somewhat engaged
(with the head still floating) and that could cause my fundal height to be
low as well as the change in size of my tummy while laying down?

the baby can engage early 2nd time round, it varies from person to person,
it is usual to engage before labour 1st time and not 2nd time, but its not
universal. To comfort you at 37 weeks my fundal height was 33cm and weight
gain 17 pounds, my baby was born 4 days later weighing 5lb 13oz, which is
small, but not too small. So I don't think you should worry.


The one thing that concerns me is my lack of weight gain, but I am told that
the baby will take what he or she needs from the mothers body regardless. No
I have not been dieting, my portions are smaller but I think that is due to
my recent slight nausea I have been getting. But there have been no drastic
changes in my habits or the baby's.

I don't know much about this, it probably would be a good idea to try and
eat as much quality food as possible, but I wouldn't worry too much.

na wrote in message news:wPvob.234837$9l5.194741@pd7tw2no...
I don't know if I need to worry or not but I'm posting to get other
peoples
opinions.

I am 37.5 weeks and I weigh 160, I weighed 140 (at 5 foot 2) prior to the
pregnancy and have gained a total of 20 pounds. My last 3 weigh ins showed
that I have not gained any more weight and in the past two weeks I have
noticed that my tummy looks smaller only when I am laying down. I went to
my
doctor yesterday and he was on vacation so I saw a substitute. She said
that my fundal height was only 34cm and was worried about the baby's size
I
explained to her that I have been experienced lightening and she said to
me
that it was impossible and that second babies do not engage until labor is
established. she then proceeded to order a non stress test and a fetal
assessment. From doing my own research I have found that every doctor
measures different and that fundal height measurements are quite
inaccurate
and can vary per person. Is it possible that the baby has somewhat
engaged
(with the head still floating) and that could cause my fundal height to be
low as well as the change in size of my tummy while laying down?

The one thing that concerns me is my lack of weight gain, but I am told
that
the baby will take what he or she needs from the mothers body regardless.
No
I have not been dieting, my portions are smaller but I think that is due
to
my recent slight nausea I have been getting. But there have been no
drastic
changes in my habits or the baby's.


DD#2 engaged before 29 weeks, and my fundal height was about 27 then. By 38
weeks it was only 33 cm, and she was born at just over 39 weeks weighing 6lb
14oz, so I wouldn't worry about it. I put on about 14lb during pregnancy as
well, so I wouldn't worry about weight gain either.
The midwife was surprised that I had engaged at 29 weeks, particularly as it
was #2, but she checked when I said that I felt that I was engaged and
agreed that I was. I'd get your midwife to check whether you're engaged if
she will.
Debbie

"na" wrote in message
I am 37.5 weeks and I weigh 160, I weighed 140 (at 5 foot 2) prior to the
pregnancy and have gained a total of 20 pounds. My last 3 weigh ins showed
that I have not gained any more weight and in the past two weeks I have
noticed that my tummy looks smaller only when I am laying down. I went to
my
doctor yesterday and he was on vacation so I saw a substitute. She said
that my fundal height was only 34cm and was worried about the baby's size
I
snip

At 37 weeks, my fundal height was 35. At 38 weeks it was 36 and at 39 weeks
it was 37 (at which point I had the baby). Each time, the doctor commented
on how I was going to have a small baby (about 6.5 pounds, she guessed). He
was actually 8lbs 4oz. Not a monster, but certainly not small either!

--
Em
(who was in labor 6 weeks ago today!)
mama to Lann, 9/21/03