36 week induction

[Cali13]

Quick backstory . My dd was born 12 days before her due date weighing 5lbs exactly. I had no complications or anything with my pregnancy and had. 12 , 20 and 34 weeks scan and no problems. This was almost 6 years ago. I am now 35weeks pregnant with a ds. I had a 28 week scan and all was ok, bit he was breech so they made me an appointment for 34weeks for a check up. Went for the scan and was told he hasn't grown much since last time and was measuring small so they asked me to come back in next week (which was today). Again they said the baby hasn't been growing and is just under 5lbs. I said about my dd being 5lbs at 38weeks but they said to come back next week and if there's still no growth they may induce me !?
I am really scared now. I had to get a steroid injections today and tomorrow to help his lungs if he is delivered early .. bit I know 36 weeks is not classes as full term and I'm worried it will be more dangerous of he's born early. Has anyone got any experience or advice ??

I've no personal experience but I have a vague memory of possibly reading a doctors' autobiography and it basically screamed early induction if there are any worries. They are like magicians and can keep babies alive when you think all hope is futile. It must be extremely worrying, I was a perfectly healthy and full term baby at around 5lbs but these days that size is practically unheard of unless premature!

Full term is 37 weeks and up. If they're suggesting induction at 36 weeks, they have good reason to - they won't do it lightly and will have weighed up the pros and cons of getting them out vs keeping them baking. 36 weeks is early, but it's not horrendously early. DD was born at 36+5 to no ill-effect.

In your shoes, I'd go with what they recommend at the next scan. Although I may also consider asking for a c-section if they decide they want him out. I'd be nervous about persuading my body to birth naturally that early. But that's from someone who had a good c-section experience!

Try not to worry. Here's hoping he's massive on the next scan!

Thanks girls .. just so different from my dd 6 years ago. . like i said she was born at 38 weeks naturally and was 5lbs on the dot. Not a thing wrong with her . I know they're being extra cautious and said it's better him out than in if he isn't growing ! So I'll definitely listen to what they say. Thank u again and yes let's hope by Thursday he's huge !!!

OP I gave birth 3 weeks ago at 36+1. I went in for a 'quick check' on the Sunday night, got admitted and then told at 6.30am on the Monday that I was going to have to have the baby that day due to preeclampsia. They tried induction first but I reacted badly to it (got the shakes) so they removed it. The inserting was fine though and it did start contractions but they were worried about time etc so in the end we decided a c section was the best course of action for us.

As for our baby he is doing really well. Like you I had the steroid injection and there was nothing wrong with his breathing/lungs so he got to come down to the postnatal ward with me. We were in hospital for 5 days and he did go up to neonatal for a couple of hours as they wanted to check some things. He had lots of observations (but so did I) as they wanted to regularly check temperature, blood sugars, blood pressure etc. He was also on antibiotics as a precaution so had a cannula in his arm for a couple of days and he also had to go on a hot cot a couple of times but that was beside my bed in the ward.

We've been home a couple of weeks now and he is doing great. He still has a touch of jaundice ( they give prem babies 3 weeks instead of the usual 2 weeks) and had problems with sucking so couldn't get him to BF. Also, he makes lots of little noises (sounds a bit like a deranged goat or an ill seagull lol) which we read is linked to being premature but it's our first baby not sure if that's true/normal.

Good luck for Thurs

@mondler thank u so much for posting this ! So reassuring to read. I'm so glad you and your little one are doing ok 💖 I'm sure that was all very scary and sudden ! So happy to hear you are home and both doing ok and that you weren't in the hopsital for weeks (although 5 days can seem like weeks 🙄) thank u so much again for telling me your experience xxx

Hi
My twins were induced at 36+3 and arrived the following day..induction was supposed to be at 37weeks (which is full term for twins) but twin one had no pattern of movement in the last month so having been repeatedly monitored they decided not to push it any more.
They were good sizes, one 6lb and one 7lb but we had to stay in a week as one had jaundice and one low blood sugars then they both lost way too much weight. The weight was probably more linked to being twins though and not enough milk to go around, jaundice and blood sugars will be monitored more closely if Prem.
Hope all goes ok dx

@ellesbellesxxx aw thank u for your comment Hun . I'm glad both twins and you were ok 💖 seems so early thinking about giving birth at 36 weeks but I guess the midwives and doctors know what they're talking about! Thank u again Hun xxx

How are things looking this week @Cali13? X

@ellesbellesxxx hi thanks for asking 💖 he was measuring just over 5lbs today, so they midwife said the steroids could of maybe given him a boost, or the fact I finished work on Monday for mat leave and havent been on my feet all day! So they slto come back next week just to keep an eye - so relieved , I had juat gotten myself into that anxious/panic mode were all I could think of was the worst case scenario that I'd be induced and he'd be unwell and I'd be in hospital away from DD for ages etc -i definitely catastrophise a lot in my head 🙄 thank u so much for asking xx

Brilliant news! Hope you can enjoy some time now before he arrives x

@mondler - My little girl also born at 36+1 emcs - had steroid injections at 32 weeks when I was admitted (grade 4 placenta pravia) - 5lbs 12

She was very mucusy, and refusing feeds so low blood sugars and lost weight so 2 days in Neonatal (Cannula and tested for infection) - then Jaundice so 24 hours blue light - but was okay and back with me for another 5 days on ward (another 24 hours under blue light as still slightly jaundice) - But she was also holding meconium, and when that passed, green seedy poo and fed loads better - went from 13% weight loss to 8% in a day!

She's gaining weight fine now and catching up -

Hope you and the little one are ok. I was induced with my youngest at 36+5. Induction didn't work so he was born by c-section weighing 7lb 6oz. He was in nicu for 5 days and then on the postnatal ward with me for another 3.

@elliejjtiny aw I'm glad he's ok 💖 he'd grown a bit so they're waiting till the 21st to see me again (unless he's arrived by then !) Thanks for asking Hun xx