To kick up a fuss and demand an induction?

[tiredbutstillsmiling]

I'm am 36+2 days but at my last 2 midwife checks and a scan 2 weeks ago all showed slow growth. Yesterday I had another MW check and again I was measuring small so I asked if I could be re-scanned. MW wasn't happy and said she thought everything wa okay but eventually called scan dept.

Had scan today and sonographer agreed baby is measuring small but placenta appears to be normal. I have another scan in a week.

Would I be unreasonable to demand an induction? My DD was prem (actually gone passed number of weeks where she was born) and I'm so scared about still birth after suffering a miscarriage last year. No-one seems concerned but I can't shake this horrible feeling something could go wrong.

WWYD? Any advice welcome - have posted here for traffic btw.

I think YABU. I know this is an anxious time but you have been checked and scanned and all is well. The baby will come when its physically ready. If you are feeling very anxious, you could maybe convince them to check you regularly?

I was scanned at 37 weeks, all was well. DD died at 39 weeks.

slithy

I agree, count kicks, get placental flow monitored and remember that growth scans are absolutely pants at predicting weight (they are better for length)

Also bear in mind that when your body is not ready to go in to labour an induction may simply not work.
Have you had a chance to speak to your consultant about your worries?

I haven't read the whole thread, so this may have been said.

Growth scans are not the most accurate measurement (there is a degree of difference between operators, measurements can be distorted by position of baby, maternal body weight and a number of othe factors), although as a rough guide it is useful.

On the plus side, baby is active and as you haven't mentioned it (other than the anxiety) I assume you feel well and don't have any medical conditions that are effecting your pregnancy. I'm also assuming you've had cord flow dopplers done, liquor measurements done, as well as a CTG (checking babies heart rate) done if indicated and that these are all normal. The only thing is that the growth isn't as good as we'd like. If that is all accurate, then I think you are ok for now and I would not push for induction, as it is not necessary (judging on the information given) and may to lead to complications (or failure of induction).

But it is worth talking over with your MW/another MW and your obstetrician to see if they can out your mind at ease. Weekly scans and dopplers etc are a good idea and should pick up any problems early.
I don't think your obstetrician would be too keen to induce if all other tests have been ok, baby is active and mum feels well, if a little anxious. If the growth continues to tail off dramatically, then they may well advise induction.

It is true that warning signs are reduced fetal movements (although remember they do have rests), you not feeling well, bleeding and/or pain (obviously) etc. But try not to get to obsessed with counting the kicks, as it may well drive you demented!

Unfortunately, nobody can guarantee that things won't change/go wrong in between scan dates and so on, so I'm not saying there is no risk- just that at present all looks ok. It's about balancing risks- risks that something might change between now and next scan VS risks to you and baby of early induction that is not medically indicated now.

All I can re-iterate is make an appointment to see your MW/A MW you trust and/or your obstetrician and explain your fears. Hopefully they will be able to explain things in more detail and re-assure you.

Best of luck OP!

All 3 of mine were induced for medical reasons.

39+6 - small for dates by scan. Actually 7 lb 1.5 oz.

35+2 - static growth between two growth scans a fortnight apart. Registrar wanted to watch and wait. I wanted induction. Consultant overruled registrar and said it was my choice.

38+5 - low amniotic fluid.

All short labours (4 hrs, 8 hrs, 3 hrs). DD1 has SN but has some sort of genetic condition not yet diagnosed (structural congenital brain abnormalities). DD2 had jaundice so triple phototherapy in SCBU for a while. DD3 fine.

Fundal height isn't a good indicator but a static growth scan, poor ecgs or declining placental function would have me pulling the plug.

Thanks everyone.

slithy so sorry to hear of your experience.

Have tried ringing the community midwives number to speak to a different MV from my assigned one, but all I get is "the number is only in operation from 8am-5pm, if you're ringing in these hours when we are busy and please call maternity triage"! Not sure who to turn to now as consultant doesn't want to see me til next week, own MW is incompetent and can't get through to senior MW.

Am feeling well in myself but I'm pretty sure the anxiety isn't good for baby!!

Not got much advice, just one thing about the kicks. It's not 10 kicks a day anymore (that's very, very little). Rather it's if they deviate from their normal "routine".

So the monitor is a great tool for establishing when/how often the baby normal is active, and then keeping an eye out that the movements stay reasonably reliable from day to day. Not exact times of the day or exact number of movements, but in a general way.

Don't be too concerned, you being anxious shouldn't affect baby.

It could however prevent the natural onset of labour!

So try and relax and get the checks you need to set your mind at rest.

And keep us updated! I like happy endings.

I was induced at 36 weeks due to slow growth. In my baby's case they had particular concerns because the lack of growth wasn't equal across all the measurements - the head growth was OK, but the abdominal and femur measurements were slowing. Apparently this is a sign of a foetus not getting all it needs from the placenta and trying to preserve the head as a survival mechanism (this is a very layman's understanding of what happened). They also checked the blood flow in the umbilical cord and it was intermittent - it tailed off between heartbeats. This was another sign that the foetus was having to work hard to preserve itself.

Despite all this scary sounding stuff it wasn't considered an immediate emergency. The sonographer asked for a second opinion, and then they put me on a fetal monitor (one of those belts) whilst they found a consultant, and then they sent me across London to a specialist for a better scan. He decided I should be induced and sent me back to the first hospital to be admitted, and said I could pop home to pick up my bag if I wanted. Even after I got back to the hospital it was another two days before my son was born, although they kept me on the monitor for most of that time.

Sorry that was a bit of an essay, but my point is that they don't just rely on the measurements, as there is a wide range of normal, and also that slow growth isn't always an immediate life threatening situation.

That said, keep an eye on the baby's movements and if you're not happy with your care keep asking questions and ask to see a consultant if you think the midwives aren't taking you seriously.

Good luck and keep us posted! Oh and my son was fine in the end - he's 3 today!

slithy will do, thank you!

Hobbes, thank you. That has made me feel more at ease. The scan I had couldn't measure head but femur seems to be developing but not weight (is that the tummy measurement?). Reassuring that even with your complications it wasn't rushed - my fear is of something happening between now and next week. Your story has calmed me! Oh and happy belated birthday to mini Hobbs :)

How's it going?