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.

No one can tell you what you should do. In my case, I too wanted as little intervention as possible. My baby was measuring a little small, and born naturally at 41 weeks. I was happy to wait with appropriate monitoring, knowing that my mum went to 42w with all her pregnancies.

MN can be a toxic place at times but I haven't seen one comment on this thread that could be described as 'nasty'.

People are imploring the OP to listen to the professionals for the health of her baby I don't see how that could be classed as nasty.

OP, the best thing you can do is ask to speak to one of the consultant midwives at your unit to go through all your options and risk factors, so you can make an informed decision. They will give you all the relevant evidence and help you make the decision that's right for you.
You could ask for a doppler scan to see how your placenta is doing, and you could ask about the margin of error in growth scans (they are not totally accurate). It's important you understand what risk factors they are applying and see how you feel that are applicable to you personally.

you are over 40 weeks. the baby needs to come out and your midwife is a trained professional and knows you as a patient. they gave you the correct advise. Trust me no one is booking unnecessary sections, we don't have the resources for it.

not sure where you are getting the "less intervention" is good approach. if intervention is needed, its needed. I would choose section over induction any day but that's a personal choice. if it goes on much longer, you will be putting yourself and baby at risk.

Define " very small" the NHS says the rate of still birth is 1 in 250, quite low but not negligible I would say. For refference a medium size maternity unit would see one a month- not so unusual.

Scheduled c-section is so much better than emergency C-section when things are going wrong.

If baby is measuring small, there is a real risk the placenta is already starting to fail, which is why baby isn't growing properly. Concretely, that means the baby is not getting enough nutrients and oxygen. Please let go of your dreams of how your birth should be and follow professionals' medical advise. You could risk your child's life and long term well-being here, and I don't say that lightly. I have had low birth weight pregnancies, and they do require more careful management.

Ps: I saw your question to another poster. In my case we knew that the placenta had been failing, as it was later sent off for analysis, showing massive areas were no longer functioning.

Why was I deleted? For saying I would rather have a cesarian and come out of it live baby?!

For context, I have buried two babies. I have also just come off the back of a SANDS meeting where two of the participants wouldn't be participating in SANDS meetings had they had been allowed an earlier section.

Clearly my experience is unpalatable. If a doctor advised me to get my baby out, I'd be on the table before you could say anaesthetic.

Blindly following advice that hasn't been properly explained isn't going to lead to a good psychological outcome. It's OK for mum to ask questions!

Sorry link here:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/reducing-the-risk-of-stillbirth/#:~:text=In%20England%2C%20around%201%20in,possible%20to%20prevent%20every%20stillbirth.

They don't recommend it for fun

I would go with what the professionals think.

Completely agree - ultimately it is up to you; like others I was warned my baby was measuring small and there were concerns about my placenta - increased monitoring/scans etc. I then had a full placental abruption during birth and I wouldn’t wish for anyone to have the same. If they can reassure you your placenta is ok then that will help make a decision but if they have any concerns please listen to them x

@arecklessmanor I went to NCT first time but not for the other two because after the first one I was all for epidurals, interventions, whatever! I think it's a really dangerous agenda to push , it's very individual situation

I would follow their advise tbh op

I was in your position and after doing my homework i held out. I was over 40 and had a horrific induction with my first which went on for 6 days (so cant have been that critical to get baby out). She just wasn't cooked. She was bang on average in every measurement.
Dd number 2, was told she was measuring small. Wanted to induce at 38 weeks. But looked at the charts and they were predicting over 7lb at full term, well within the normal range. Made no sense to me why they would want to take her out early when she would actually be small. They had also changed how they calculated what constituted small. It was now a personalised calculation that took into account not just population averages, but the size of you, your spouse and any previous babies. On population averages she was not measuring small at all and was growing exactly as expected.

I opted to hang in to 39 +4 with daily monitoring. I was induced in the end, but didn't need the drip and had a fab birth with no intervention except the initial pessary.

Placenta was glorious apparently.

I wouldn't go against the medical advice. They don't offer C sections willy nilly! I had to beg for one with my third pregnancy, because I'd had two horrific labour's previously (first one I could have died, second one baby could have) So I'd take what they are saying seriously. I'd also go for a planned section over being induced any day, but that's just me.

Unnecessary intervention is best avoided, but this sounds necessary to me. Why risk a stillbirth? My placenta had started to fail in my last pregnancy and despite DC being born a bit early and having to spend a short time in NICU, I’d make the same decision again.

The deciding factor for me? What if I’d decided not to be induced and then my baby died in utero? I’d never forgive myself. You’re already overdue and might have to be induced anyway. Seriously, why risk it?

We can't really say OP and it's best you speak to your midwife. Is your baby measuring really much smaller than he/she should be? Is this your first baby?

DS was really tiny unexpectedly. His heart rate also dropped unexpectedly in labour I pushed him out as fast as I could once the midwife told me to. It could of all gone so horribly wrong... but all was fine in the end.

You need to talk it over properly with medical professionals.

I have a friend. Her first baby was born 10th centile (natural, no growth scans). No obvious placenta issues, baby 100% healthy. Her second had growth scans as result, and was tracking 10th centile consistently. So small, but growing in line with expected for the centile they were on. She was 5ft 2, her DH 5ft 7. They offered early induction as baby small, she declined as thats the size her babies just seem to be, and baby was growing consistently. She also delivered before her due date and had induction scheduled for her due date.

That is a very different situation to a baby dropping percentiles and/or doppler picking up resistance in the cord or other indicators of placental issues. We don't know your history and other reasons why they might be pushing for baby to arrive sooner rather than later.

Either way at 40+2 baby is going to be better out than in. Interventions save lives, they're not something to be arbitrarily scared of. E.g. antibiotics in labour if your waters have gone - thats a huge risk to babies life if they get an infection. Ultimately you want baby out and both of you healthy. You'll get no medals for how you do it. Intervention or not, vaginal or c-section.

I recommend discussing BRAIN with your midwife or consultant. What are the benefits? Risks? Are there alternatives? What does your intuition say? What happens if you do nothing?

I think you should arrange a meeting with the birth preferences consultant in your area if you have one. Either that or your midwife in charge of your care. Go through your exact concerns around intervention and get them to give you a clear list of pros and risks so you can make an informed decision.

I was very worried about needing a lot of intervention and opted for section because ds was measuring big. It was super smooth and because it was planned recovery wasn't as bad as I'd expected. I still had a lot of options with my birth plan and opted for a 'gentle' section, had skin to skin, delayed ds being cleaned down etc. It was an incredible experience and I'd have no concerns if we're lucky enough to go again.

+1

Can't speak for @NonMiDispiace
I found out mine was failing when my baby was safely delivered via csection.

my cousin was over 40weeks and declined all interventions as she wanted a natural home birth like her sister. Her baby died at full term. And was stillborn.

Chances are it will be fine, but there is a chance it won't be fine.
Think long and hard about what is important to you.

If you’re hoping for some amazing zen like birth where everything is perfect then I’d just follow the midwife. Babies who come when they are “ready” can still get stuck, have problems, birth is just crap most of the time in some way or other. Maybe just follow what they advise.

Get off mumsnet and talk to you healthcare professionals.

no one here is qualified to answer this. Some will ignore advice and be fine. Others will ignore advice and have a dead baby delivered.

A bath measuring small over delivery date is a warning sign. They’ve told you this. Ignore at your own peril.