Second cancelled ‘urgent’ but planned c section?

[SexlessBoulderBelly]

I’m starting to feel slightly fobbed off by the hospital and all calmness has gone out of the window and I’m just worrying for my baby.

To cut a long winded story short:

1. I’ve been having growth scans since 28 weeks as baby was measuring small with the tape measure. The first growth scan I was sent to triage for a review as there was Reverse blood flow from the cord, indicating a problem with the placenta.

2. when I had first scan reviewed in triage a consultant scanned me and told me everything was ‘perfect’

3. went for another growth scan at 33 weeks at the hospital as because reverse flow was spotted I have to be scanned under review at the hospital. Second scan showed baby has dropped off size wise, measuring 3rd percentile and blood flow not greats again with high resistance.

4. I was then taken into a room where a doctor came in to explain the scan to me, saying the placenta was starting to fair and baby will 100% need to come in the next 7-10 days.. Had no concerns about baby at nearly 34 weeks and said the safest way to deliver her is c section as she probably won’t cope with labour.

5. had my steroids that day and the following day. Had a fetal medicine scan on the Monday to check steroids had done the job (?) - it was again the consultant lady who told em everything was ‘perfect’ the first time who scanned me again, in a room with a midwife and a regular sonographer. - expecting to be given mic section date she has again told me everything is fine and she is just small, could be a genetic growth disorder but she can’t see anything on the scan to suggest it, or could be infection.. had TORCH bloods to rule out and came back clear. She suggested doing weekly scans until delivery.

6. came for another scan with same consultant following week who has now said she is smaller again and fluid is lower (although this could be due to baby not having a wee recently) so she said they will check that the following week but will plan for delivery at 37 weeks, this was booked for 31st Decembers.

7. went for my scan on Tuesday with the same doctor who told me I needed the c section at my 33 weeks scan and the fluid is lower again and blood flow not great suggesting placenta not working. He said my original c section was booked for 31st but he’s not happy for me to even go until Monday without being checked now. So he wanted me seen on Thursday, told me not to eat for 6 hours before the appointment and to only drink water and to bring bags ect as they will do another scan and most likely c section on Thursday (today) - I got a call yesterday to say they are cancelling this and the consultant will see me Friday instead (tomorrow) - she said the same instructions apply so I assume they may c section tomorrow? I don’t want to go there prepared again to be told everything is fine. The scan is with the lady who keeps sending me away.

I don’t want to come across as I’m moaning at them but they keep stressing to me about watching movements, they have walkways told me to look for changes in movements but now their really stressing how important it is that I keep watch.. which makes it seem as though if they know something is wrong why isn’t it being treated more urgently to get her out? I’m starting to really worry that I’m going to end up as one of those cases that the worst happens at the very last second.

Has anyone got any advice on how to approach the consultant tomorrow if I’m going to be turned away again?

I think in your situation I'd contact PALS at your hospital and ask if they can help as you keep getting conflicting advice from two medical professionals. They may be able to support you asking for the consultant to come to the scan with the sonographer so that they can speak about their different opinions?

I would take your bags each time, just in case.

It sounds really worrying for you, and of hope that PALS would see a way to getting a clear answer to your concerns.

Good luck

Definitely get in touch with PALS today and see if you can have a different consultant scan you. It can’t be fine and not fine at the same time!

I’d be furious tbh, because I’d be panicking something was wrong with my baby and I was getting delayed.

That sounds incredibly stressful. I know it’s easier said than done but if the consultant says everything is fine again tomorrow, I’d be tempted to ask for a second opinion there and then - explaining that you’ve been told conflicting things and you are just not comfortable going home. I would also call the clinic now and say how worried you are and what you were told and double check that there is no appointment for you today. It may be that the original consultant isn’t even really aware that you’ve had your appointment cancelled. That can happen.

All the best with it, and sorry that you’re having to go through this.

Thank you all for your advice, I’ve not heard of PALS so will look into them now..

When they rang to cancel my appointment yesterday I asked her if she knew the importance of my appointment because the consultant that had scanned me wasn’t happy to leave my any longer.

She said I didn’t have another choice as there wasn’t another consultant there to see me. Which is equally just as stressful to be told even though there’s a potential problem that means baby needs to come out ASAP, I don’t have a choice and just have to essentially wait and see what happen between today and tomorrow.

Will look into and contact PALS today. Thanks everyone