To decline induction/c section for baby measuring small?

[imalreadythere]

40+2 today. Baby measuring small but also engaged so maybe that's why?

Midwives offered induction or c section but I want to wait.

Aibu? The midwife wasn't that pleased I don't think.

It's your choice as long as baby isn't in distress or danger, measurements aren't always particularly accurate.

Could you explain why you would want to go against a midwives professional opinion? I would follow the advice given by a medical professional rather than just hoping and waiting.

I want to try and have the least amount of intervention as possible

Do they know why baby is small? Could there be an issue with the placenta? I had IUGR and an induction saved my baby's life.

What are your concerns in particular?

You’d only have to wait a few more days anyway, I wouldn’t recommend going over 41 weeks.

Doesn't the risk of stillbirth increase incrementally past 40 weeks?

Personally I wouldn’t even consider going against professional advice, DS was small for dates and the placenta was failing badly.

Understandable, but intervention is also sometimes needed and saves lives. Is there any other reason?

Like a PP asked, do you know the reason your baby is small? Have you had growth scans? Have they confirmed there is nothing wrong with the placenta or the blood flow to it?

I went two weeks over with each of my DC. They all had to be induced at that point anyway, should have done it sooner!

You want to go against professional advice for no particular reason other than making a statement, so yeah I get why the midwife was a bit pissed.

You have 2 risk factors- a small baby and you are overdue. In current stillbirth research these are both critical factors in recommending induction.

Had scans and monitoring. Monitoring was fine, scans showed the baby as small

While I admire your intention to avoid as much intervention as possible I think you are wrong to go against the advice. I wouldn't want to risk anything happening as the placenta could be failing.

It's your body your choice.
FWIW I am an ex midwife, we can guess how big or small babies are going to be but the margin for error is 2-3lbs either way.
My friend was induced early, 37 weeks because she was told her baby was off the scale in terms of growth and would weigh 10lbs plus.
Little Maya was born weighing less than 6lbs and had issues regulating her blood sugars, needing support from SCBU. I'm still furious about it to this day.

How did you know that about the placenta?

I think YABU for asking randoms on the internet over the professional opinion of a medical staff.

Get an opinion from a consultant before declining to understand what the risk are and why clinically they are recommending this. There is likely to get a very good reason - this may be clinically indicated and shouldn’t just be seen as an inconvenience

I feel you're going to do what you want anyway. However, medical professionals don't suggest intervention for no reason.

Please listen to the pros. My ds was born at 41+3, and the placenta had already started to fail-the midwife reckoned another 48 hours and we’d have lost him. he was under 7lb at birth, and the only comment re size was from my gp was she thought I’d have had a bigger bump. If they know you’re small for dates why would you risk it?

Strapping 22 year old now, but it still haunts me

I've been in this situation myself and declined induction. Presumably they weren't bringing you in straight away so maybe accept a date and hopefully you'll have gone into labour yourself before then.
I think one of the difficulties is that staff don't explain the risks etc very well.

I wouldn't (and I didn't - in fact I was induced just before 37 weeks for a small baby). They're not offering for fun. Yes, chances are you'll be fine either way, but by waiting you are now increasing the risks.

Have they checked the blood flow through the cord to see if the placenta is ok? I wouldn’t go against medical advice when full term pregnant, nobody wants lots of intervention but what matters is that the baby gets here safely. But if you are going to consider ignoring it I’d want a Doppler scan done to check further.

Another here with a small baby which it turned out was due to placenta issues. I was induced but ultimately delivered via emergency c section. After DD came several consultants said it was a good thing she came when she did and via c section as she likely wouldn't have fared well with a vaginal birth. HCPs are much more switched on to small babies nowadays because of the link to stillbirths. Wishing you all the best for a safe and smooth arrival.

I'd go for the c section, wouldn't have an induction under any circumstances, its basically making your body give birth before it's supposed to, they almost always fail or turn into emergency c sections and it's just drawn out misery and sometimes worse (fear, trauma etc)

Yes but have they indicated any reason the baby is small from the scans?

I had to be induced with my first son at nearly 42 weeks as I never went into labour. Ended in an EMCS as he was distressed and they found my placenta wasn’t working properly anymore. He was born small for gestation.

I’m currently pregnant again and have had growth scans since 20 weeks due to my baby being small. They do a thorough check including blood flow to the placenta.

What info were you given at your latest scan?