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Pregnancy

Baby stopped growing/ slowed right down

75 replies

johull · 30/04/2014 17:24

Has anyone else been told they're carrying a worrying small baby? I'm 31+1 and have been told she is very small. She is measuring the same as a 27 week baby. The midwife said if I wasn't already booked in for a scan at 32 weeks then she would book me in for one to check everything's ok. Is this common? I already have a low-lying placenta, could this have anything to do with it? Many thanks in advance.

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johull · 30/04/2014 17:25

Worryingly not 'worrying'

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squizita · 30/04/2014 17:47

How does she know the size of baby if you haven't had a scan yet? Measurements can often be a bit 'out'. If it is based on external measurements, the scan will reveal more information I reckon!

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Ludways · 30/04/2014 17:59

My first baby was 8,9 they said my second baby was much bigger, I kept going for scans and they were getting worried as I went over 11 days, she was 8,0. They can't really tell when it's still inside.

I know a baby born 2,3 who just celebrated his 13th birthday, I wouldn't worry to much. Hth

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bonzo77 · 30/04/2014 18:04

Yes. They need to try to establish if it really is small and if so why. Ds1 was small because my placenta stopped working. DS2 was not small but was born the correct size for a baby at 35 weeks as my failing placenta was picked up earlier. So actually, it is worth following up any concerns like this. Both my boys were saved with no dramas and no long term issues because I received appropriate care.

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ikeaismylocal · 30/04/2014 20:15

My bump was measuring small so I had a growth scan, the baby was huge, ds was 10 pounds at birth. I have no idea where he was as my bump (at that stage) looked small. I had really terrible indegestion I think he was living mostly in my ribcage!

My bump really grew in the last month/month and a half and by the time he was born I was HUGE.

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johull · 30/04/2014 20:17

It was through external examination. She said that my bump hasn't grown since I was 26 weeks. She was expecting me to be a lot bigger. When she was feeling baby's head she also commented on it being small. I hope you're correct and that it's just speculation.

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missmagnum · 30/04/2014 20:25

My midwife was worried about growth as I was measuring very small, I had a few extra scans and they were fine. He was 7lb 10oz in the end.

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jnl0612 · 30/04/2014 20:37

I had serial scanning with both mine. I was measuring 21 weeks at 31 weeks ! Had scans every 2 weeks
Dd1 was 5.12 and dd2 was 6.3 some people just don't make massive babies

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NeedaDiscoNap · 30/04/2014 20:42

Measuring your bump is not always accurate OP - my SIL was told all the way through that her bump was very small, yet my niece was average weight when and was born.

I'm 33 weeks and had a growth scan last week (other medical reasons) and my baby was measuring at 28 weeks. The consultant says she's on the 10th centile, and is likely just going to be small. They're not unduly concerned as long as she continues to grow, and the placenta is still working properly.

If they scan you, and the fluid is fine, and blood flow to the placenta is working properly, then they'll continue to monitor you, but as long as the baby keeps growing in the right direction they shouldn't be too worried.

It's hard not to panic though, isn't it? Thanks

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johull · 30/04/2014 20:59

As I have a low lying placenta I just don't want that to be the cause and potentially preventing her from growing. I am just keen to avoid an induction, I'm bad with pain at the best of times!!

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loopylou52 · 30/04/2014 21:03

My bump was measuring small at 34 weeks so I got sent for a scan and then a follow-up scan two weeks later to check growth. They concluded that the baby is just naturally small but growing fine and the placenta was functioning fine. Try not to stress about it - it's good to get checked just to be on the safe side.

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johull · 01/05/2014 17:38

Thanks for your comments. I just looked at my blue book and saw that at my 20 week scan she weighed 290g (300g average) which is spot on. When I have my scan next week I will see how much she has gained and go from there. I know there are injections you can have to help her. I just hope my placenta hadn't failed tbh.

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bonzo77 · 01/05/2014 21:57

If they're concerned she'll have to come early they give you steroid shots to help the lungs mature. Your placenta doesn't usually pack up suddenly, so monitoring is really useful. Even when they got really worried about DS2 I was only scanned once a week initially. And I had 3 days notice for delivery. And I don't think (though I might be wrong) that the position of the placenta affects it's function.

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johull · 07/05/2014 22:08

Just to add an update- had a steroid shot as they thought waters had gone. They wanted to keep me in for 24 hours also. Have scan tomorrow to determine size if baby, position and effectiveness of placenta. Thankfully the water that I leaned wasn't 'the waters' otherwise I would have been induced. Due to several issues, I might still be induced very soon

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adaloveslace · 07/05/2014 23:13

Hope you're okay, johull. It's a scary time but at least they're aware of your issues and the baby's and you're both in the right hands.

My two DC were small for dates - DD was born on her due date at 5lb 14, despite measuring 6lb at 36 weeks. DS was born at 34 weeks naturally weighing 3lb 14. His IUGR had been picked up a couple of weeks before though the blood flow and placenta looked ok. He only got lung injections a couple of hours before delivery when it was apparent he was on his way, but he was breathing on his own from the start.

He had to stay in for 3 weeks but had no major health issues - bit more refluxy than normal and he was quite sensitive to noise and light for the first year or two - but he is now a bright, happy (still tiny) 6 year old. (My niece was born at 24 weeks weighing less than 2 lb and is a funny, wise and sociable 10 year old.)

As I'm currently 35 weeks with DC3, I know there's no point telling you not to worry, but every day they stay in between 28 and 32 weeks is a major advantage, and after 32 weeks it stops mattering so much. Good luck and keep us posted.

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johull · 09/05/2014 23:30

Thanks for your post. Things have changed unfortunately. I'm not in hospital bi have been admitted by the consultant. Baby is not only small (3.5lbs at 32 weeks) she is now breech ( frank breech) AND most importantly my hind waters have gone so am leaking constantly. I'm having my second steroid injection in 30 minutes (midnight) so can't sleep until after that they now want to induce me at 34 weeks and have a c-sec planned. Not what I was expecting. I will be exactly 34 weeks in 10 days xx

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bonzo77 · 10/05/2014 07:59

Oh johall. How scary. 34 weeks though is a good gestation. Try to get some rest and also push for a tour of NiCU. I'm not saying that your baby will go there, but there is a good chance and I wish i'd been prepared. At 34 weeks your baby will almost certainly breath fine, but have a CS increases the risk of respiratory distress syndrome. Ds2 had it but recovered really fast. He had to wear a cpap mast for about 12 hours and then had extra oxygen for another 12. The other thing was the were worried about his gut perfusion. Sometimes if the placenta is not providing, the baby prioritises the brain and the gut's blood supply is compromised. So they have to be very careful introducing milk. In our case DS had a glucose drip only for the first 48 hours I think, then the gradually gave my colostrum that i expressed through a naso gastric tube. Within a week we had progressed to normal bottle feeds. I chose to bottle feed, though most of the other mums were bf ing. The other thing to know is that they don't usually have a suckling reflex till 36 weeks. So don't fret if she doesn't feed till then. She will have a tube in till she is feeding safely, and lots of cuddles and skin to skin are still important and lovely.

The baby in the next incubator to DS was born at 34 weeks, after his mum went into labour naturally. She had not had the steroids. He was discharged the day after us (on day 9) He's doing great.

Send someone out to get some micro (size 0) nappies. And some tiny size baby grows, vests and hats (you can get in mothercare etc). I've had 2 tiny babies and found 10 to be a good number to have. She won't need them if she goes in an incubator but will do once she graduates to a crib.

I'm sure you are in good hands. It is scary but in my limited experience things should be fine. Good luck, and have fun meeting your lovely new baby. Any questions just ask.

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FeelingIrie · 10/05/2014 08:33

Hi johull

I was in a similar position to you a few weeks ago. It was picked up at 28 wks that my baby was small and from then on I had fortnightly growth scans, weekly Dopplers and regular CTGs. I had the steroids at 32 wks.

It was such a stressful time although I reviewed great care from the hospital. The plan was to try to get to 37 wks then get the baby out, however at 36 wks the consultant felt the growth was just too limited and booked me in for a section 2 days later. I had the option of trying for a vaginal delivery but was advised that small babies find labour tough and get tired easily which can lead to distress. I was happy to go down the route of the section tbh.

Two days before she was born the growth scan showed my DD as weighing approx 4lb and this was pretty accurate - her birth weight was 4 lb 4.

The section was an entirely positive experience. I was so well looked after and communicated with. Try to move on from the stress of recent weeks and focus on the exciting bit; you are going to meet your baby! I know this is easier said than done but it's the best advice I received.

I spent the last few weeks of my pregnancy convinced the IUGR meant our baby had some genetic disorder, or that I had given her FAS due to the occasional glass of wine I'd had, all sorts of crazy stuff, but the reality is that this issue is almost always caused by placenta problems, my placenta was rubbish, it had split in two and so the main bit that was attached to the baby was a lot smaller and thinner than it should've been, the extra lobe was apparently unusually large.

The main thing was that although we had been prepared that the baby might need special care, and this was another source of stress, she came out and she was fine! It was a huge relief.

A few days later she did need a couple of days on SCBU to help with feeding whilst my milk came in, but we were home after a week and now EBF and all is well, she's three weeks old. It was a tough week but we got there. She's tiny but perfect. It feels like months ago already that I was pregnant and I have to say I'm glad not to be! For my baby it was simply a case of it being better for her to be out than in. She is gaining weight and is a happy little thing, even though officially she shouldn't be here til Tuesday.

I know how scary it is and how natural it is to feel worried OP. I hope you can take some comfort from my story and others. I read that IUGR babies are little fighters because they've had to tough it out in the womb, and that they do really well once delivered.

Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best x

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FobblyWoof · 10/05/2014 08:42

Thinking of you johull. I hope others sharing their experiences has helped and comforted you Thanks

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FeelingIrie · 10/05/2014 08:43

Just to second Bonzo - mothercare are good for the tiny baby sleepsuits etc and for nappies we use pampers micro or tesco size 0. If you want to breastfeed then the hospital should sort you out with a pump so you can express, if the baby is tube fed they can use your colostrum/ breast milk.

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DebH1975 · 10/05/2014 09:13

Hi johul....will keep my fingers crossed for you and your LO. I am in a similar situation in that I am currently 32 weeks and am having to have a c section at 34 weeks. Mines isn't down to IUGR but will be the same end result. I had a look around my hospitals SCBU and felt much better afterwards - you should definitely try and do this if possible. Hopefully your LO won't end up having to go in there but it's good to have a look just incase.

Wishing you all the best.

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runawaysimba · 10/05/2014 09:36

Hi OP, another happy story here - my DD was born at 32 weeks after I was hospitalised (for different reasons). I remember only too well how scary that time was, waiting to see how long I'd be able to keep her in before she was born, but took advantage of a Nicu tour, which made all the difference.

DD was in Nicu/SCBU for 6 weeks, just learning to feed and grow, but breathing fine. She's now three and just told me she loves me more than chocolate Grin
You and your baby are in the right place and one day this will be a very distant memory Thanks

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johull · 10/05/2014 17:36

Thanks so much for all the support. It is really nice to get so many lovely messages. I'm now 32.4 and she is weighting just over 3lbs. I have to have a section in 9 days becauSe my waters have gone and she is breach. This means that's it's very hard for her to turn with no water to support her tiny body. I am just wondering why on earth they are not shutting her out this Tuesday!!! I. E at 33 weeks, I am such high risk of infection that I don't want her in there, in danger anymore. She would be safer in a neonatal unit. Can1 week really make a lot of difference?? Can anyone offer any suggestions on this? Xxxx

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FeelingIrie · 10/05/2014 18:56

Hmm, it's tricky I guess the consultant has to weigh up the pros and cons of where is best for your baby, and balance the risks. We basically reviewed the situation week by week with ours, from week 32. He or she must feel it's better for the baby to stay put a little longer, but I understand your anxiety. It's a fine line I guess. I hope you can get a chance to discuss your feelings with them?

Take care and hang on in there x

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bonzo77 · 10/05/2014 19:09

what feeling said. I was having scans every 3-4 days by the end, as well as daily ctgs. Have they admitted you till then, or sent you home? You know you must report in immediately and loudly if the baby stops moving or slows down.

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