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Original poster

Being induced tomorrow, baby has stopped growing

395 replies

elm26 · 16/05/2023 21:49

Posting for traffic, I don't know if I need a handhold, to hear others stories of similar or just to offload my anxiety.

38 weeks and 2 days, went for a growth scan today and to my shock, they've asked me to go home and get stuff ready and be back in for 10am tomorrow for induction.

Reason for scans throughout is history of 13 miscarriages, covid in pregnancy and a previous low lying placenta (had moved up at 36 week scan).

Baby hasn't grown much if at all since 2 weeks ago, they sent me up to ward for monitoring and baby's movements and heart rate are fine, my fluid is fine but my placenta has more or less stopped working. Blood flow and oxygen okay.

I was due to be induced on due date, thought I'd have some time to prepare myself and relax but I'm in a tizz now. We've got everything and babies bag and mine is ready to go but I feel so rushed and unprepared now 😢

I'm worried about about her, they've put her estimated weight at 6lb but advised me to grab some tiny baby clothes if I hadn't already so we made a last minute trip to Asda tonight for those, just bought 8 vests and 8 babygrows in case she's bigger than expected.

They will be using the rods and see how I get on but I'm so scared all of a sudden.

Any words or wisdom or advice? Thank you x

OP posts:
Whatevs99 · 17/05/2023 12:07

Same situation twice for me OP and very routine for hospitals. Babies born at similar weeks 5lb12oz and 6lb5oz.

No issues whatsoever with either after that.

Totally normal everyday thing for doctors and midwives.

MissP2022 · 17/05/2023 12:08

Hello lovely 😊

I can see that I’m a little late to reply and share my story now and I hope that you are being well looked after. I was induced with my first at 38+2 due to him being “small for dates” and not growing from fortnightly scans. We had an induction the same day I went in for the scan. The induction itself was very smooth and very quick. He was born 5lb15oz … so in tiny baby clothes for a couple of months (we had none but my husband rushed out to the supermarket to get some).

Lots of love and good vibes for your induction 💛

ByGrabtharsHammarWhatASaving · 17/05/2023 12:10

Good luck, I was induced early for the same reason and my son was born perfectly healthy at 7lb.

sunshinesupermum · 17/05/2023 12:10

This was my experience too 38 years ago to the day. I felt much as you are doing OP but also, in view of my previous pregnancy when the placenta had packed up, the obstetrician (do they still have them??) realised the baby was safer out than in. Wishing you much luck and a hand hold today x

JandalsAlways · 17/05/2023 12:11

You'll both be fine, I was in this exact situation and baby was thriving. All the best x

Igmum · 17/05/2023 12:21

Hope all went well. Sending love

Suddenlysummer · 17/05/2023 12:32

My 2nd child was induced at 37 weeks and was 2lb 15oz. She's 51 now and perfectly normal!!

readsalotgirl63 · 17/05/2023 12:37

I was being monitored from about 28 weeks due to baby being "small for dates" and had a similar experience of going for a check up and being told to come back next morning at 10am.

Baby was 5lb 2oz but perfectly healthy - stayed quite small and ahd the appetite of a flea until she was about 3 when she went to nursery. Now aged 24 and loves eating out in pricey restaurants 🤔

SquirrelySponges · 17/05/2023 12:42

I had my baby at 29 weeks when she had stopped growing. We did have a NICU stay but she was only 1lb 10 when born and is now a perfectly healthy chubby 10 month old! Your baby is fully grown now as they count any baby over 37 weeks as term and they will be strong and ready to go. You've got this!

NaNaNaNaNaNaBaNaNa · 17/05/2023 12:48

Some babies just don't pack on the weight. My oldest was born at 36+6 and was under 4.8lb, they were worried something was wrong but he's 6 now and has ways been tiny. He's the smallest of his friends and very slim, but he's strong and healthy and smart and perfect.

It's going to be fine. The blood flow is good so this is just a precaution because she's done cooking. 😊

OopsAnotherOne · 17/05/2023 12:48

Wishing you the best today OP, she'll be perfect and they're doing this to look after both you and baby but at over 38 weeks she'll be fully cooked! xx

FudgeSundae · 17/05/2023 12:55

Both of mine were like that, both tiny (5lbs) but put on weight as soon as they were born and now 50th and 98th centile.

spiderlight · 17/05/2023 12:55

I hope it's all going smoothly today. My 36-week 6lb 6 arrival is now a hulking great 6ft teenager, so try not to worry (easily said, I know).

GrunkleStan · 17/05/2023 12:58

This happened to me with my eldest. He was comparatively small (5lb 15oz), but fine. He's 18 in a couple of months.

maddiemookins16mum · 17/05/2023 13:44

Same as me. DD was born at 34+6 though, 4lb 9oz. She’s 18 now and joins the Navy in 11 days time.

Lilbunnyfufu · 17/05/2023 13:53

I was induced at 36 weeks has baby was measuring 32 weeks everything went well I had a balloon induction within a hour of having it fitted my waters broke so it got taken out and I was moved down to the labour ward an hour later D's was born.

YukoandHiro · 17/05/2023 13:57

Hoping on your bed being induced and enjoying the calm before the storm when inductions kick off.

She will be totally fine. If they were worried about her health they'd be doing a section.

Do update us when your gorgeous baby arrives x

FlounderingFruitcake · 17/05/2023 14:06

Well my supposed 6lb-er arrived at 39 weeks by ELCS and weighed 8lb3. I knew it as well because he was my second and I could tell he was heavier than his sister who was 7-something but you can’t argue with a fetal medicine consultant now can you?! The tiny baby clothes didn’t fit. Newborn didn’t fit. Had to send DH off for 0-3 months but because it was covid most of the shops were closed and no big supermarket nearby (central London) so it was flowery pink ones leftover from his sister until Amazon could deliver 🤣 Good luck OP! Pack all the sizes would be my advice.

pontipinemum · 17/05/2023 14:17

Hope all went well. Or is still going, I know induction can take a long time!

pontipinemum · 17/05/2023 14:19

@FlounderingFruitcake in case you have another Tesco and a few other places do 1 month size baby clothes. It's sort of a middle of the road option. I bought no new-born clothes even though DS ended up being 6lb 4oz and fitted into the tiny baby ones I was given.

Original poster
elm26 · 17/05/2023 14:59

Love hearing all of your stories! Thank you.

Well, I had the rods put in an hour ago, 11 to go.

I don't actually think I can give birth after that, my cervix was tucked behind babies head and facing back. She had to pull it round with her hand/fingers first and it was tightly shut. They managed to get 5 rods in after giving me gas and air.

DH went very pale 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 now I'm questioning if I can actually do this if I needed gas and air for that.

The midwife was lovely though which is a positive.

OP posts:
Ruibies · 17/05/2023 15:02

Good luck OP! It's all starting now! I echo PPs, take all the drugs 😅 I was induced last year at 39w after reduced movements. Big pudding came out perfectly fine 8lb7. Hope you progress smoothly and meet your daughter before long!

Curtains70 · 17/05/2023 15:19

elm26 · 17/05/2023 14:59

Love hearing all of your stories! Thank you.

Well, I had the rods put in an hour ago, 11 to go.

I don't actually think I can give birth after that, my cervix was tucked behind babies head and facing back. She had to pull it round with her hand/fingers first and it was tightly shut. They managed to get 5 rods in after giving me gas and air.

DH went very pale 🤦🏻‍♀️😂 now I'm questioning if I can actually do this if I needed gas and air for that.

The midwife was lovely though which is a positive.

Oh don't worry. I had a sweep and the pessary put in and nearly took DH hand off I squeezed it that much 🤣.

Top tips, have something to eat (but nothing that will lay heavy). Have a nap if you can and get excited. Your little one is nearly here!!! So many congratulations 🎊

Didtheythough · 17/05/2023 15:22

Good luck @elm26 I've been thinking about you today (wierd I know, just a stranger on the internet etc etc, but your story stuck a cord) Im sure it will all go well and you absolutely CAN do this x

Smile02 · 17/05/2023 15:37

you will be absolutely fine lovely as will be baby x

My DS was induced for the exact same reason at exactly 37 weeks and he was a tiny 4lbs. He has now just turned 2 and is thriving xx