So- baby is head down still- partially engaged. I’m 34 weeks. He’s been measuring bigger until now and I’m measuring a week smaller now so have been sent for a scan in 2 weeks to check his growth to which the m/w has warned me if he’s not growing ‘right’ I will be induced. I will be 36 weeks by that point. Has this happened to anyone else before? How likely are they to leave things be if he *is* on the small side? Dd was 6lb 11oz when she was born x
Gah! These growth things are a pain in the backside aren’t they! It may be that he has shifted position so that is why you are measuring smaller. They go on your size as to what size your baby should be, which takes no account for how big your partner is! And small doesn’t mean unhealthy. I’ve had a perfectly healthy 6lbs 8 oz baby, and because of that I had to have a growth scan with DD and she was 8lb 14oz born! Plus growth scans have a margin of 20% on their accuracy, so not accurate at all!! Your DD was small, and is healthy. If there is evidence that he has stopped growing altogether that is obviously a different matter, but I would imagine they would have to do more growth scans to determine that. Try not to worry about it (easier said than done). Sounds to me though that baby has shifted position slightly. Also was it the same person who did the measurements, because that can add a whole other source of inaccuracy into the mix.
Hmm I’m not sure how much i trust their growth charts- baby no 1 was apparently measuring ‘big’ for dates ( I was told he would be around 9lb), baby 2 was scanned at 35 1/2 weeks because she was measuring small for dates, both were a few days ‘overdue’, both weighed 7lb 2 !
If baby has stopped growing that is obv different matter, but I think these growth scans are simply a precaution. I seriously doubt the accuracy of the charts they measure against!
That explains alot then!! Really, not worth stressing. If they want to do anything, at least request they be consistent first, because otherwise their data will be inaccurate.
It happened to me with ds4. Difficult and long story but I would go along with their advice.
Era - thinking back - it was the head measurements and proportions that were the most important, as they indicate that the baby is growing properly. I had several growth scans from around 33 weeks and alarm bells started to ring at 36 weeks. Proper growth scans are not the same as a tape measure over your bump.
Hmm… not sure how much I’d trust these growth charts & growth scans. My oldest was measuring ‘small for dates’ throughout, we had numerous growth scans all showing she’d weigh 5lbs tops at term but she was born 3 days after one of the scans weighing 8lbs 7.5. My youngest measured ‘big for dates’ (measuring as many as 5 weeks ahead) but then at 32 weeks suddenly was measuring small, she was a healthy 8lbs2 at birth so in my experience I’d be inclined to take it all with a pinch of salt.
Our growth scans were spot-on and are little one arrived at 36 weeks as predicted and weighing 2.6kg as per her scans so I think it depends on who you are talking to as to whether they trust scans and the people who are interpreting them.
I would talk it through with the medical professionals involved at the scan and the doctor who is interpreting the results. You’ll get a feel for whether there is any sense of urgency. At the end of the day, you and your little one are the most important things and that’s is what will enable you to make your decision. Your gut feeling will tell you what to do at the time.
Try not to worry for the two weeks… and I know that’s easier said than done.
Thank you all- you never know if something is serious or not and that’s the worry. If they do induce then of course by that point I will be 36 weeks so he would only *just* be considered premature but I’m really hoping that’s not the case. The problem is I’m now worrying that he has stopped growing and will be left for 2 weeks before being checked again- should I book in to see my gp next week just to have a measure or this might make me more anxious? God knows- my partner is freaked out now so I feel like I’ve got to reassure him too as well as feeling mildly stressed by it all. Just keep telling myself all is well. I just want to meet this littke one in healthy circumstances x
just to put in my experience- my tiny, undersized bump ( which I was sent in for a late scan to check for size at about 36/37 weeks ) was a very happy 8lb8!
Gill
x
I would say that the fact that your next check will be in two weeks suggests they have a very mild concern but no real urgency so this could be reassuring. However if you and your partner are feeling anxious and stressed out by this then do make an appointment to see you GP and see if they can do a measurement or reassure you in some way. Whatever you need to do to lessen the worry is worth doing :0)
My midwife was here just half an hour ago and we were *just* talking about this very thing. I called her to pop over as I thought my breech baby had flipped head down (yes it has!). Anyway I was asking her about my uterus measuring 38.5 cms at 36 wks and she told me about ten different stories about women who were ‘told’ via their scans that they would be having either a large or small baby and how differently they turned out to be. One client of hers was told that she’d be having an 11lb baby and so elected to have a c-section only to find out at the birth the baby was 8lbs. This same lady went to my midwife (Annie) for her second baby and this time had a growth scan at 36wks and was told the baby would be much smaller, maybe 8-9lbs. She felt confident on hearing this to vbac with Annie and then went on to give birth at home to an 11.8lb baby. Annie and I discussed lots of these stories and she had A LOT to tell. She said the only thing she advises women (unless there is a reason such as GD) or some other factor pointing to abnormal growth is not to have growth scans! She has only ever really found them to be inaccurate and worrying. There ought to be manyother factors pointing towards abnormal growth in some way. It is most certainly something you can choose. How does your belly feel to you? Does it seem bigger/smaller than last time? Is it possible babies/bellies have different growth patterns form week to week? Can you call an independent midwife by phone for a chat to discuss all of this and get another opinion? You may be able to get one to come and visit you for a consultation for a very nominal fee. I have had three different sets of IM’s and they were all very nice people to confide and chat with and are often reluctant to take money from someone worried and anxious until you feel reassured.
I find it very puzzling and worrying when I hear things like midwives telling someone ig their baby is not growing ‘right’ they will be induced! My dad has a new girl friend who is a hospital midwife and she said compared to 30 years ago her practice is more about avoiding the need for continuous report writing, and fear of litigation. She said everything she does is now based around managing risk. She wants to retire early as she said it’s too stressful for both midwives and the women they see who are often forced into c-sections and surgical interventions because doing *something* gets you off the hook more than sitting back on your hands and reassuring women that ‘normal’ has a wide wide belt of coverage.
That’s really really interesting claire- you have a fab midwife. I will look into local I’m's to see if they can get me an unbiased opinion on the matter. My belly does feel bigger than last time- but this baby is a boy and also my third pregnancy so I know both those factors can mean a different shape etc. My biggest concern is placental function and of course if there’s an issue there I’m kind of at the mercy of the doctors. I can’t see there being a problem as surely if they thought this was the case I’d be having a rather more prompt scan than 10 days time. X
When DS4 was born I asked for him not to be weighed immediately as I wanted skin to skin and to put him to the breast. So the MW’s and ourselves guestimated for fun. DH and I thought he was the biggest of our babies so definitely over 9lb. The MW’s agreed and 2 MW’s and a student guessed at between 9lb 7oz and 10lbs. When we weighed him around 90 minutes later he was 8lb 1oz. So even looking at the baby and holding him everyone still overestimated his weight. He did have a very chubby (flabby) face which settled down after a few days and then he looked more like his birth weight.
I wouldn’t dream of saying what you should or shouldn’t do in your situation. All I know is that it is so easy for others to give advice based on their experience, but your experience is different. You have added reasons to worry, this is your first pregnancy since losing your precious little boy at an advanced stage, your mind must be absolutely whirling with all the what if’s and should I’s…... All I can do is offer you love, hope and reassurance. If you do follow the care teams advice then you will know that they are professionals and doing what they think is best to help you have a healthy baby. You may not end up with the birth experience you dream of, but you will, almost certainly, end up with a healthy baby. Speak to your care team of your true fears, they will understand and try their best to tailor your birth experience to you. I’m fairly certain, given my limited experience working in that setting, that they definitely WOULD NOT put your baby at risk by waiting 2 weeks to measure a baby that had possibly stopped growing. It is more likely that they want you to have a scan because of the discrepancy in measurements rather than in the believe that baby isn’t growing. What happens after that measurement is something to deal with when it happens. Would you feel happier waiting it out and hoping for the natural birth you desire? Or would the stress be more harmful and therefore the induction and knowledge of a healthy baby in your arms be more important to to your own and your partners wellbeing and emotional health? Adding in the knowledge that the best facilities will be prepared for any potential problems that may arise if your baby is found to be small/stopped growing?
I’m really sorry if this all seems presumptious of your general emotions at present but as I said I have no experience of what you have been through at the stage you did, all I know is that I would be stressed beyond reason, as would DH, and my thoughts and feelings on birth and care professionals would be heavily biased towards trusting them to assist me in delivering a happy healthy baby, no matter how that point is reached.
I do hope I haven’t caused any offence.
