32+5 baby on 10th centile

[cheekymummy89]

Hi ladies
Been having regular growth scans every 4 weeks, at my last one around 28 weeks baby was measuring spot on. Been for my scan today and baby's tummy was measuring a bit too small for their liking. So now he's been put on chart as 10th centile. I was kept there for a further 1.5 hours to have a ctg and they also gave me a steroid injection (2nd lot tomorrow). They said that this is precaution incase baby comes or needs to come early. Has anyone had this before and gone full term or do you reckon they will tell me baby needs to be born early? They have said i will start having scans every 2 weeks now instead, I'm just worried that they will tell me they need to get baby out.

[Strokethefurrywall]

Both my boys were on the small end of the centiles, charted 50th until about 28 weeks and then dropped to around 8-12th. I had steroids with both in case they needed to come out early.

Mine was probably stress and activity related in that I was always walking, and working full time and just didn't really put on any weight. I also had very little appetite so was pushing myself to eat 3 meals a day. I went on bedrest for a week and was ordered to eat every 2 hours to ensure a steady stream of nutrients for baby and after that they jumped up to the 14th centile. And from there tracked upwards but never really picked up more than 20th centile I think. I had scans every month anyway so could keep an eye on them, and then every 2 weeks to ensure the growth remained steady.

DS1 was born at 37+6 weighing 6lb 5oz but 46cms, and DS2 arrived at 38 weeks weighing 6lbs and 46 cms. He was pretty tiny but both of them are pretty average now they're 4 and 2!

I would be comforted that you're being monitored closely and having the steroids. That will do wonders for the lungs if the little one does come early.

Good luck

[cheekymummy89]

Thankyoy for your reply hun. It's so scary, ds1 was born a little on the small side but nothing to worry about. Had 1 growth scan with him only. Then when they said today this baby's abdomen was measuring 30 weeks rather than 33 it was a major cause for concern. Then they rushed me through the clinic and strapped me on a monitor for 1 hour then gave me the steroid. It was the way they said if we need him out early. I really want to push for my baby to get to at least 37 weeks so I'm hoping I will be given a bit of advise tomorrow on what I can do if anything to help my little man grow even just a tiny bit more. That steroid injection was probably the worst thing I've ever felt lol give me labour anyday.

[Strokethefurrywall]

No worries, its a worrying thing for sure.

DS2 was smaller than DS1 but I was terribly sick with him at 30 weeks (I got a vomiting bug) which meant I had so little fluid around him that he started having prolonged decels (heart rate dropping) and my OBGYN almost had to take him out. I was 30+3 and terrified because he was so so tiny. And because his growth was on the slow side, I was then on a mission to eat as much as I could afterwards. I contracted constantly and was on meds to stop labor from 31 weeks to 37 weeks and in the meantime all I could do was hope that he was gaining weight so if he did come early he'd be ok.

DS1 was born with a head on the 5th centile if that makes you feel any better! And he's completely fine, didn't look weird or anything, just looked very delicate.

I just grow them small apparently, I'm 5ft 8" but I was only 6lb 5oz and I was 4 days late. My DH was also the same weight when he was born, so I knew I wasn't going to have a belter, but the slow growth is always a worry because really you can't do much for it except eat little an often. I think I relied on hummus and carrot sticks, pita chips, western Caribbean porridge made with condensed milk (tastes like pudding, I didn't even want to think about calories!), cheese sticks and white chocolate magnums to get me through.

And yes, the steroids are bloody horrendous, right along with a sweep Give me labor over either of those thanks!

[cheekymummy89]

I've read up loads about eat more frequently instead of 3x daily. Think I will stock up on a few things and at least give it a shot. Will try anything at the moment even if it doesn't or helps a little I know I've at least tried. Yeah we always said I'd carry small as I was small born too and only a small ish frame so wasn't expecting 7lb or anything. Hopefully will have a bit more info tomorrow after 2nd injection and monitoring. In the meantime I'm sitting eating a nice big bag of doritos with a pint of milk lol. The joys of pregnancy

[Strokethefurrywall]

Make it chocolate milk and you'll feel better

Maybe with lots and lots of ice cream!

[cheekymummy89]

Ooo chocolate milk haha now your talking. hubby has turned very protective all of a sudden he's on night shifts and hasn't stopped calling every hour to make sure I'm OK lol. God help me closer to delivery

[NoMudNoLotus]

OP eating more or regular won't help your baby grow.

It sounds as though baby's growth has slowed in which case it may be a placental problem or you may have had a virus.

Trying to get your baby to 37 weeks is the wrong tack to take - there is a point at which babies thrive better outside of the womb than in - particularly if there is a placental problem. So let the HCPs be the judge of when baby needs to come out.

I'm both an HCP and a mum of 2 preterm small for gestation babies - my post might sound harsh but is really important that you understand what might be going on here rather than eating more and trying to push to get to 37 weeks .

[cheekymummy89]

The scan indicated everything else was normal. The placenta, the blood flow, hc and fl she said it was babies abdomen it's measuring 30 weeks rather than 32-33. I'm speaking to them tomorrow when I'm back there for 2nd lot of steroids to see what they suggest now between next scan etc. I won't do anything that will put my baby at risk or myself so I will see in the morning. My mind is just baffled as I've read loads of different advise online aswell.

[sambababy]

Hi OP. I had a similar thing with my DD although it started earlier in the pregnancy. They said her tummy was measuring small, 10th percentile, but everything else looked fine. I had fortnightly growth scans and there was a lot of talk of induction. Eventually she just had a growth spurt! I can't remember at which point they told us we no longer needed to worry, I think maybe 35wks give or take. She was still small but born naturally at 39wks, 6lb. So I just wanted you to know there is still time for things to change, although I know how worried you must be.

Incidentally, it is likely nothing to do with how you're looking after yourself. I'm 38wks pregnant with DC2, have done nothing differently (always eaten quite a lot, some healthy, some not, but always been very slim) and this baby is predicted to be 75th percentile.

[cheekymummy89]

That's lovely to hear. I'm. Hoping baby will grow a bit more over the next 2 weeks before my next scan. 2nd lot of steroids soon ... wish me luck! Haha no good with needles

[cheekymummy89]

Quick update.. seen my consultant this morning for routine check up. After going through my notes from yesterday she said that ds1 was born on 2nd centile which is tiny so they were expecting a relatively small baby this time. Baby is currently on 9th centile which obviously is small but as long as he continues to grow at a steady pace and athe least stays on this line and not drop lower there is no cause for concern. Had 2nd lot of steroids.. ouch!! This apparently is just precaution INCASE baby has stopped growing in that case he will have to one out early. They are seeing me again in 2 weeks to see if he is growing or if he has stopped. Then we will know what the next steps are. If he is growing still they have said i am allowed to go to 40 weeks but if I hadn't had him by then they will induce me straight away rather than let me go over. .. phew!! Glad that's over for a fortnight. Been told to just keep eating and drinking as I should and rest when I can. Fingers crossed this little man has a but of a growth spurt by next scan

[sambababy]

Great news cheeky

[Porcupinetree]

My daughter's growth slowed to below the 5th centile after about 20 weeks and they were debating getting her out early but ultimately left her til she came out at 13 days overdue and still absolutely tiny.

She is now 2 years and 11 months; very healthy and developmentally ahead but still absolutely tiny.

Sometimes they're just little.