28 years
30 weeks and 6 days pregnant and baby weighs 1.4 kg. Is it normal? Online charts imply that it should be around 1.5. What could be the cause & what can I do or eat maybe to help my baby gain weight?
Nov 13, 2014
It is important to be aware of the limitations of standard fetal growth curves, which, although useful for estimating the range of expected fetal weight for populations of women at any particular gestational age, they are applicable only to populations of gravidas (which means estimated fetal weight according to the number of pregnancies) and not to individuals. Although population estimates of fetal weight as a function of gestational age can be made for groups of individuals that are demographically similar (in terms of age, location) to the reference population from which the original data was obtained, this information cannot be applied successfully to any particular gravida. In addition, all such tables are based on the assumption that the gestational age of the fetus is accurate, but in general gestational age is at best an estimated value.
In general, standard fetal-growth curves can be expected to apply to large populations of pregnant women who have well-dated pregnancies.
Fetal weight is estimated during fetal ultrasonography and relies on fetal biometric measurements, which include:
The biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), femur length (FL) and abdominal circumference (AC).
These measurements are combined in a number of different formulas of comparable accuracy used to predict fetal weight.
After having extensively through the means by which the fetal weight is estimated, you need to be reassured that as long as long you’re following a healthy diet and physical activity level, taking the necessary supplements, avoiding tobacco exposure (primary and secondary), and following up with your obstetrician regularly, then you do need to worry about your baby’s weight being “behind” on the fetal growth curve.
If you still have concerns, you are advised to discuss them with your obstetrician who is following up on your case closely and can better address all your questions.
In general, standard fetal-growth curves can be expected to apply to large populations of pregnant women who have well-dated pregnancies.
Fetal weight is estimated during fetal ultrasonography and relies on fetal biometric measurements, which include:
The biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), femur length (FL) and abdominal circumference (AC).
These measurements are combined in a number of different formulas of comparable accuracy used to predict fetal weight.
After having extensively through the means by which the fetal weight is estimated, you need to be reassured that as long as long you’re following a healthy diet and physical activity level, taking the necessary supplements, avoiding tobacco exposure (primary and secondary), and following up with your obstetrician regularly, then you do need to worry about your baby’s weight being “behind” on the fetal growth curve.
If you still have concerns, you are advised to discuss them with your obstetrician who is following up on your case closely and can better address all your questions.
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