Fetal Weight Chart in Grams & Kg: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding Fetal Weight
Do you want to know how much your baby weighs in your belly Well, ultrasound is a technique that lets you see your little one’s development in real time! Your doctor will use this to take some measurements, like how big your baby’s head is or how long the legs are. They’ll also measure the size of your belly. All these numbers are then plugged into a special formula to estimate fetal weight. No need to worry about the formula itself (your doctor’s got that covered!).
We’ve included a handy fetal weight chart in grams below to give you an idea of how your baby is growing compared to what’s expected at each stage.
Fetal Weight Chart in Grams
Below is a fetal weight chart in grams based on the gestational period (the time between conception and birth). It’s hard to predict the fetus’s weight before 8 weeks of gestation since they are too small. A fetus of up to 26 weeks is usually under one kilogram.
Gestational Period | Fetal Weight in grams |
8 Weeks | 20 grams |
9 Weeks | 27 grams |
10 Weeks | 35 grams |
11 Weeks | 45 grams |
12 Weeks | 58 grams |
13 Weeks | 73 grams |
14 Weeks | 93 grams |
15 Weeks | 117 grams |
16 Weeks | 146 grams |
17 Weeks | 181 grams |
18 Weeks | 223 grams |
19 Weeks | 273 grams |
20 Weeks | 331 grams |
21 Weeks | 399 grams |
22 Weeks | 478 grams |
23 Weeks | 568 grams |
24 Weeks | 670 grams |
25 Weeks | 785 grams |
26 Weeks | 913 grams |
Fetal Weight Chart Kg
A fetal weight chart in kg is for a gestational period of 27 weeks and more. On average, your baby in the womb grows well above a kilogram. It can reach up to 3.8 kg at the end of gestation.
27 Weeks | 1.057 kg |
28 Weeks | 1.211 kg |
29 Weeks | 1.379 kg |
30 Weeks | 1.560 kg |
31 Weeks | 1.751 kg |
32 Weeks | 1.950 kg |
33 Weeks | 2.164 kg |
34 Weeks | 2.377 kg |
35 Weeks | 2.595 kg |
36 Weeks | 2.812 kg |
37 Weeks | 3.030 kg |
38 Weeks | 3.234 kg |
39 Weeks | 3.434 kg |
40 Weeks | 3.620 kg |
41 Weeks | 3.787 kg |
Note: These are just average estimates. The actual weight might vary based on the mother’s build, growth rate of the fetus, etc. Your healthcare provider can guide you correctly on whether your baby’s growth is as expected.
Reasons for Low or High Fetal Weight
The actual fetal weight does not necessarily have to be the same as the fetal weight chart in kg. It can be lower or higher depending on several factors.
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Reasons for Low Fetal Weight
- Insufficient nutrition for the mother
- Infections such as rubella or CMV
- Multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets
- Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease
- Substance abuse during pregnancy
Reasons for High Fetal Weight
- Gestational diabetes in the mother
- Pre-existing obesity in the mother
- Genetic predisposition to higher growth rate
- Excessive weight gain during pregnancy
Fetal Weight and Pregnancy Complications
High or low fetal weight can lead to some severe complications in pregnancy. These include:
- Increased Risk of C-Section: If the fetal weight is too high, it could have a bigger head or broader shoulders. This could become problematic for a normal delivery. So, the chances of a C-section are more.
- Developmental Delays: If the fetus is underweight, there’s a chance that it will not grow at the expected rate.
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Fetal Weight
You cannot predict the growth rate of your baby without proper medical assistance. However, once you know that your fetus needs some extra help growing up, you can provide it in many ways.
Here’s how to increase fetal weight:
- Balanced Diet: Eat a nutritious diet with enough proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
- Control Blood Sugar: If you have gestational diabetes or high blood sugar, keep it under control by following a proper diet and taking the prescribed medication regularly.
- Prenatal Vitamins: Ask your doctor what the best prenatal vitamins are for you, and take those regularly. These will provide the essential vitamins required for the baby’s growth.
- Healthy Weight Gain: Some doctors recommend gaining weight yourself to increase the weight of your fetus. You can engage in healthy habits to achieve the given weight goal.
Conclusion
Your baby’s growth is a remarkable journey, and tracking fetal weight is just one of the many ways to ensure they’re developing as they should. However, remember that every baby grows differently, and weight fluctuations are common. The best you can do is take good care of yourself and don’t skip any medical consultations. Embrace this beautiful journey knowing that your baby is growing healthy and strong.
Normal fetal weight in the womb is between 93 grams and 3.8 kg from 14 to 41 weeks of pregnancy.
You can increase fetal weight by eating a balanced diet and taking prenatal vitamins. You should include protein sources in each meal to gain healthy weight.
The ideal weight of a foetus for a normal delivery at a full term of 40 weeks is around 3.6 kg.
A 2 kg baby is not normal at 36 weeks; it is underweight. Most fetuses at 36 weeks are of 2.8 kg or more.