What should a fetus weigh at 38 weeks and what weight would be considered under the 10 percentile?

Question

I had a u/s done around 34wks and 5days and he weighed 4lbs 12oz and they said he was 8 days behind. Ever since then my doctor has been concerned even though u/s can be off a pound or more. I am now getting a u/s done next tuesday and i will be 38wks... my doctor says if he is under the 10% or right at it she will induce me that day. So now i'm curious to know what weight is under the 10 percentile and what do doctors consider small??

Answer 1

i was born 3 weeks early and didn't grow at all the last month. i wouldn't worry tooo much i was just fine. and was nearly 6 pounds

Answer 2

8 days is nothing.  I know people who had 5 lb babies full term.  You have a few weeks to go and the baby is almost 5 lbs.now.

Answer 3

Small is i believe anything under 5 pounds. I'm not to sure I'm 38 weeks and they said my baby weighs about 8 in half, 9 pounds.

Answer 4

At 35 weeks, the 10th percentile would have been 4 lb 6 oz.  Your baby was about the 25th percentile at 4 lb 12 oz.  Not sure why the 25th percentile would make your doctor concerned.  In the last 4 weeks, the average baby gains about 2 lb.  He's on pace to be over 6 1/2 lb.  At 38 weeks, the 10th percentile is about 5 lb 12 oz.

Ultrasounds can be off by over a lb in weight.  My son was said to be 5 lb and was born 10 days later weighing 7 lb; he didn't gain 2 lb in 10 days, more like 3/4 lb!  

Personally, I think your doctor is worrying about nothing.  I'd have refused the repeat ultrasound.  I would definitely refuse an induction.