Should I be admitted if my baby's head circumference is low?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 38 weeks pregnant now. In my growth scan report, my doctor told me that the fetal head circumference (HC) is on the lower side. It is 12.79 inches, which is in the 9th percentile. She said it should be above the 10th percentile. Because of this, she is advising me to get admitted at 38 weeks. Is this true?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I am very sorry about your medical condition, but don't worry, we are here to take care of you. Yes, your doctor’s advice is medically reasonable and appropriate given the situation.

According to what you have described at 38 weeks, a head circumference of 12.79 inches, which falls at the 9th percentile, means your baby’s head is slightly smaller than expected for this stage of pregnancy. While it is not extremely low, doctors usually prefer fetal growth measurements to stay above the 10th percentile to lower the chances of growth restriction or possible neurological issues.

You are already full-term, as 38 weeks is considered a term pregnancy. A baby with a slightly low head circumference might be showing early signs of fetal growth restriction (fetal growth restriction), or there may be concerns about the placenta not working as well as it should (placental insufficiency).

Delivering now may help avoid risks such as:

Poor oxygen or nutrient supply to the baby.
Stillbirth (rare, but the risk is higher in fetal growth restriction if the baby is not delivered).
Early detection of problems after birth so treatment can begin quickly.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.