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