growth scan worries...

[QuiVivraVerra]

Joined mn last night and found some of the advice I received really helpful.

I'm 37+3 weeks pregnant with my first. Have had a few hiccups with the pregnancy. Lots of scares. Had over 25 dopplers and am having my 4th growth scan today. The outcome of the scan today determines whether they are going to admit and induce me, or come up with another plan of action.

I understand that induction at 37+3 is safe, but also aware that it can result in c section and other complications. Especially with a first baby.

I'm feeling a bit scared, unprepared for this kind of intervention, and if I do get sent home, again, I feel like it's just going to be an ongoing cycle. It's only 3 weeks until my due date, but it seems like a really long 3 weeks of worry and stress.

Has anyone else suffered with issues like this? AIBU to just not want to go to the appointment? Of course I'll go but I don't even want to get in the car. I'm leaving my hospital bag at home as I don't want to jinx anything.

Not sure what I'm asking, and apologies for posting in AIBU for traffic. I found I didn't get a huge response in 'pregnancy'.

Thanks for reading and if anyone had any words of wisdom or advice before 3pm it'd be greatly appreciated. Feeling sick and heart is in my throat as I'm worried they're going to find something wrong...

Have they said what the issues are with the growth scans?
I'd take the hospital bag, if they do admit you you don't want your partner rushing home and back to get it. Leave it in the car if you want.

I was induced at 38 weeks. It wasn't too bad. Lots of waiting around for things to kick off. Keep getting them to explain what they are doing just so you are aware of every step, it helped to keep me calm.

Major hand hold. I understand it's all very scary as it's the unknown.

@Kitkat2018 I feel like if you go in to labour naturally, the excitement and anticipation you experience beforehand is a good one. It was for me before they started talking about bringing baby out a bit sooner.

I don't completely understand it but there is a problem with one of the arteries in the placenta. Baby was growing in 30th centile, this went up to 60th, but fell two weeks ago down to 20th. If it's fallen even more they won't be keeping baby in much longer I don't think. I'm worried about the birth, but also worried about the baby. Hope he/she is ok.

Feel hugely overwhelmed...

Sorry you’re going through this. I can imagine your worries.

The best thing I can recommend is regain as much control as you can in the situation. Know your options and make decisions for yourself. The hospital will advise you if the baby needs to come early. But beyond that you have control over how that happens. If you’re worried about an induction (and potentially a failed induction) remember that you can refuse induction all together and ask for a section. (For me, pregnant with third baby, if the baby had to come early I’d refuse induction beyond the pessaries - if these didn’t work I’d not want waters broken or the syntocin drip for multiple reasons but mostly related to the increased risk of interventions).

Good luck

I think what wesaluteyou said about taking control is right. I know that that is what helped me.
I remember what feeling overwhelmed was like (I might of needed coaxing to get out of the car when we got to the hospital.)
But knowing what was happening and why made me feel safer if that makes sence. Also keep thinking about that first cuddle.

Major hand hold. X

Firstly, take your bag. I was admitted unexpectedly after a routine appointment at 38 weeks and it was hours before I had anything - headphones, a book, a nightdress would’ve been greatly appreciated.

I had two high risk pregnancies and was induced for the first. I think the most important thing to think about is whether you’re actually likely to have a favourable outcome from induction.

If you aren’t, go straight for the ELCS as a long, unproductive induction I’d more likely to result in EMCS and a PPH (which happened to me but I was absolutely fine).

Several friends had normal, non-complicated deliveries after their inductions - it’s about the circumstances.

My second CS (elective) was a breeze. I was extremely nervous, but that was me - the procedure went without a hitch. Medical professionals always compliment my scar too - I keep meaning to write to the obstetrician to thank them!

I had growth scans regularly with my twins. At one appointment at 35 weeks the unexpectedly admitted me and I had a planned C Section at 36 weeks. I have no different feelings about their birth than that of my other child who came spontaneously and vaginally at 39 weeks.
They’re doing what they need to do to keep your baby safe. If an induction is required then be your own advocate, take control and tell them what you want. It probably won’t make a blind bit of difference once your baby has arrived

Hello OP, I was in exactly the same situation a year ago - baby measuring small since 2nd trimester, lots of scares and visits to triage and countless heart monitors. I was induced at 37+5 and was told this the week before. Had a pressary and had to have my waters broken artificially the next day after asking for an epidural. Eventually the contractions became frequent and I ended up delivering DS in 13 minutes! Not every induction ends in a c section or instrumental delivery. Two NCT friends were also induced and ended up delivering through pushing as well. These were all first babies!

Please be prepared, pack your bags and go to your appointment - you will be in good hands and it will be fine! Please come back and let us know how you get on.

I was in your position last Christmas (except I wanted inducing early as DD was due 28/12 and I didn't want her to be born in Jan). I went for my 37 week scan and was admitted a day later. DD was born at 37+3.

It's a scary situation but try not to get yourself worked up over induction. I had a very straightforward 8 hour labour (only took longer because I was waiting around a day for a bed on the delivery suite - no pessaries required). Take a look at some of the past threads on mumsnet - there's hundreds. It's really not as uncommon as you think and I'm sure you'll be fine!

I was in a similar situation to you just 6 weeks ago with my DD so I can sympathise with how you feel, especially since a lot of birth stories about induction and intervention are framed quite scarily.

I also had a problem with my placenta and DD was induced at 37+4, unfortunately in my case I did end up having the emergency c section before I even hit full dialation due to my placenta causing problems during contractions but many other women go onto to have successful natural births after induction.

As PPs said take your hospital bag and some snacks as it can be a long wait (in the hospital where I was booked in they have 6 goes at induction before you can go home to try again later!) and try to take it easy once you get there which I know is easier said than done when you’re anxious about intervention and baby. Ask lots of questions before they admit you if they decide induction is best and ask if your birth partner can stay through the whole process or not as each trust is different but my DP was a godsend when I was being induced.

Just remember that they will only move to induce you if there’s a need and you’ll get to see your little one sooner than expected.

(PS: bring at least one tiny baby outfit as if LO is small newborn will be far too big, DD was 6lb 4 and I had to get DP to get her onesies that fit while I was recovering in hospital)

No personal experience but big old hand hold. One day at a time. Thinking of you

Thanks everyone. I'm sat waiting for the scan now...

Best of luck and keep us updated :)

Personal experience of this.

Please forget advice to take back control and make decisions for yourself unless your decision is "trust medical advice".

I hope it goes well, and good luck.

@PastaRedWine I think I would like to find a happy medium between the two :)

@QuiVivraVerra I strongly advise you not to, unless you have also trained for six years in medicine and then specialised for another six years after that, and you too deal with this day to day as they do.

There is no happy medium between a dead baby and a living baby. Sorry to be that blunt, but I have had experience of this.

Hey I was induced with twins at 36+2 weeks for growth worries. ONe thing I didnt realise is how long an induction might take. I had the pessary on the Monday I went in. Then told "ok well see you again in 24 hours!" So the next day (Tuesday) I was1 cm dilated and not in labour so we waited for one of the "big" delivery rooms (enough room for all the twin bits and extra staff) I was taken to the big room at 8,30am the next day (Wednesday) and then left till 12ish until I was put on a drip. Started Labour then, epidural about 3.30pm (heaven) had twin one at 10 and twin 2 via csection at 10.30. then didnt leave until Saturday.

I hope your scan went well and you're okay now. One step closer to meeting your lovely baby XXX

10pm not 10am!

@PastaRedWine I'm not going to refuse interventions if I need them. If there are options then I will weigh up and ask for the risks as opposed to just doing what the doctor tells me without asking if there are other options. I think it's about balance.

I'm sorry you had an awful experience. I don't find it helpful however being told there's no happy medium between a living and dead baby. I don't plan on putting my baby at risk like that. There is no need to be that blunt with someone already feeling incredibly anxious.

Looks like I'm being induced next week!

OP I just wanted to say I understand the frustration - the last few months of my pregnancy were dominated by twice a week hospital visits to monitor baby’s growth.m as they thought she was underweight. (Was booked in for a c-section at 39 weeks anyway due to previous pregnancy which had complications). Baby was born weighing a healthy 9lb after all of that stress and worry!
I really hope your induction goes well next week. Best of luck.

I had a 2 vessel cord with my eldest - maybe this is what you have? Its normally 3 vessels. Therefore as it can restrict growth I had very regular growth scans to check this, at just over 35 weeks they said they were concerned as he hadn't grown and they wanted to scan me again, at this scan a week later they said he had now caught up and his estimated weight was 7.5lb anyway he arrived a week later 37 + 6 at 5lb7!! Other than horrible reflux he was fine though. They just don't seem to be able to get this accurate at all. I liked having the extra scans, much better that they are monitoring you. You might well not even make it until you are due to be induced! Anything over 37 weeks is full term. Good luck at least you know you will be well attended to and monitored x

@PastaRedWine the advice wasn’t to contradict medical professionals withs regards to whether the baby needs to come early. But beyond the OP can make decisions about induction vs section, and even which elements of induction to agree to before opting for a section.