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AIBU?

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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:
spiderlight · 17/05/2023 15:47

Yes, you can do it! That bit was external poking and prodding and it's bound to have been painful. The actual delivery will be hard, of course it will, but trust your body - it will know what to do, and you're in good hands if you need a bit of help. This time tomorrow you'll be tucked up with your baby and the nasty bits will already be fading into memory.

Nordicrain · 17/05/2023 15:49

Don't worry, it sounds like everything indicates that things will be fine.

I think they will be more cautious than ordinarily due to your history, which is a positive thing!

Good luck with your induction!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 17/05/2023 15:51

Another one here although he's 29 and 6'1 now!
38w exactly because his growth had stalled He was 5lb 13 and 47cm.. but he soon caught up when out in the world
Please don't worry She will be perfect They all catch up in the end
They're keeping her( and you) safe
Hope she'll be in your arms very soon

SparklyBlackKitten · 17/05/2023 15:55

Honestly. Stop

What will be will be
You need to look forwards her being born now
Not cowering and shivering with fear

You are going to have a child
Your baby is almost real :) and will be in your arms soon
Dont taint this time with worry.
Honor and cherish this period.

Marscleo · 17/05/2023 15:58

I actually found being induced to be more painful than giving birth. Best of luck! xx

MaryPoppinsHat · 17/05/2023 16:06

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.

I was induced at 37 weeks with dc2 as they said they had stopped growing and we're concerned weight might be <5.5lbs... terrified... He was born 7lb 6oz. Angles in the womb meant 2 different sonographers got it wrong.

You'll be fine. Use the gas and air, use the birthing ball, nice deep breaths, you're going to meet your baby soon. You can absolutely do this. 💐

MammaTo · 17/05/2023 16:24

You’re going to do amazingly.

Take the pain relief if you think you need it, you don’t get a medal for suffering haha!

Take lots of snacks, lucozades, biscuits etc.

Best of luck it’s an amazing experience.

sadsack78 · 17/05/2023 16:30

When my mum was pregnant with me, my birth was induced for similar reasons.
Turned out everything was fine, I was just small- 5 and a half pounds- and perfectly healthy. I've grown up to have no health issues in my childhood or adulthood.

I wish you the absolute best. You will do amazingly and have a lovely baby to show for it! Wishing you luck OP.

Americano75 · 17/05/2023 16:31

This is so exciting, hope it all goes well! Can't wait for update, keep us posted.

pontipinemum · 17/05/2023 17:12

You 100% can do this! Aw new baby 😍

LeoDiCapricorn · 17/05/2023 19:50

Just hear to say hoping all goes well it's sooooo worth it

Dustyblue · 18/05/2023 05:55

Thinking of you OP. Another one here with a 5lb 11 bub, now 7 and enormous.

X

Hesma · 18/05/2023 06:01

My DD arrived at 37 weeks because she couldn’t wait any longer 🤣. She weighed 5lb 15oz and is now a netball crazy teenager. Sending you love and a handhold, it must be suddenly quite overwhelming

Whydotheyallhaverubbishwheels · 18/05/2023 06:07

Thinking of you! I had gas and air for my propess if it helps. Wish id had it for the sweep with my second it really bloody hurt!

Starhead69 · 18/05/2023 06:10

Hope all is well thinking of you

onthefence23 · 18/05/2023 06:10

You absolutely can do this!! I found some of the induction shit worse than the bloody birthing! They're faffing with you and I preferred 'doing something.'
My baby also came early 37+5 after induction for medical reasons and is a gorgeous chunky toddler now!

Sending good vibes mama, you're so close now!

Original poster
elm26 · 18/05/2023 06:23

Thanks so much again everyone 🥰

Dilapan rods haven't worked, just had them removed and nothing. Feeling so disheartened 😢 trying to relax but I'm tired (they weren't lying when they said the ward was bright and noisy) and emotional x

OP posts:
Hungryfrogs23 · 18/05/2023 06:27

Sorry they haven't worked but they are a first step. There will be a plan B and you definitely won't be the first they haven't worked for. You are in the best place and the hospital team will work with you to ensure you and baby are safe. As difficult as this period is, just try to stay calm and trust your baby and body. Once she's here, all this awful bit will pale into insignificance xx

Anycrispsleft · 18/05/2023 06:28

Stay strong OP!

I remember how bright and noisy the ward was... I wished I had brought a sleep mask. Any chance your DH could bring one in for you?

PinkPlantCase · 18/05/2023 06:34

Awh OP, it must feel so disheartening. I guess it’s worth remembering that it could be about 3 weeks earlier than when your body may have gone into labour by itself. That would be why your cervix was high and tucked away.

The rods were worth a try because you never know but ultimately it’ll probably be hormones that kickstart your labour if your body isn’t already close on its own.

Have they spoken to you about what the plan is next?

SeptemberDreams · 18/05/2023 06:37

Hope you got an ok night’s sleep to set you up for today. Please try not to worry, easier said that done I know!
DC1 was induced for basically the same reasons (static growth) although at 40weeks. I was so worried he wasn’t ok but I was induced the following day and all was fine. It turned out the measurements later on, if MW uses a tape measure then they use a scan, can be inaccurate as they estimated he would be about 7lbs and he arrived 8lb 11oz.
Also I was hyped up about the induction experience as people had shared some not great stories but my experience was totally fine. Luckily for me the pessary worked and my waters broke around 12hrs later. It was intense but it actually was my better birth of the two I have had compared to DC2 where I had my much dreamed of water birth - she was back to back and it was very painful. So my induction experience was actually better.
Good luck - you’re going to meet your beautiful baby so soon!!!! 💕

Swingbop · 18/05/2023 06:45

I could have written this post OP. DD was 38 weeks when she stopped growing (always measured small anyway). I had IUGD. Induced early, and induction failed. I ended up having a c section. DD was born perfectly healthy at 5lb 2oz. A teeny baby - but completely healthy. She was small throughout the first couple of years, but then caught up and is now 10 years old and on the 91st centile.

Its a tough time for you and you will naturally be worried, but take comfort from all of these stories of women who have had similar situations and perfectly healthy babies. It won’t be long before you get to meet your baby! Good luck!

tobi21 · 18/05/2023 07:15

wishing you the best of luck xx

Monkeypuzzlegane · 18/05/2023 07:34

I had an IUGR induction at 38wks and like you it took ages to get going. I thought you got induced and that was it going…how wrong I was.

My baby was born just over 6lb but very skinny due to the IUGR, we had a peads doctor in the room for when they where born to access them and had a longer stay in hospital due to size and feeding etc. I then had weigh ins with the HV more often to check on weight gain.

Now they are a super tall but still skinny 8 year old. If you have any questions OP let me know. I used it as an excuse to eat as much chocolate as possible while waiting for the induction to work.

CamoFlamingo · 18/05/2023 07:44

It's a good thing they're taking it seriously. I had placental failure. DD was not growing properly at growth scans and I had restricted movement for weeks but they just sent me home repeatedly. Luckily I went into labour on my own at 35 weeks and DD was born weighing 4lbs 14oz. Good luck!