35 weeks and anxious

[whatluludid]

Hi,

I guess I am writing this out of desperation- I’m 35 weeks pregnant with our first baby, the first 26 weeks were a breeze. After this point it all became a little worrying, our baby measured small so we were referred for growth scans and then onto fetal medicine due to the baby having small legs.
We were sent off with our notes and told that we should have growth scans every other week and dopplers on the alternate weeks, but they couldn’t see growth being an issue as myself and partner are both small. In the notes I noticed the mention of induction at 37, 38, 39 or 40 weeks depending on growth. I asked my midwife about this and to be honest it’s the first she’d seen of it and dismissed it.
Thankfully in the following weeks baby’s growth has been stable and sticking to just above the 10th centile. My issue is I seems to see a different consultant after each scan, each one just scanning my notes whiles they enter the room, each time I’m told to see what the next scan brings. Also, my area are still on paper green notes so my midwife has to catch up each visit and sort plays it down.

My other issue is my blood platelets have been below 100 for the whole of my pregnancy however now it’s being treated as an issue. My last consultant said it would just been no epidural and not intervention if nothing changes, however after reading up on it seems slightly more than that.

I guess my ramblings are really me saying is it normal to keep attending appointments and feel like your never finding anything out? Each week I’m basically told to wait and see. It could feel worse that due to covid each time I come out to my partner who has to wait in the car he asks what did I find out and each time I say nothing. Although I’m having lots of appointment i dont really feel like the care is consistent.

I’m starting to just want an induction or C section on set date. It feels the not knowing is becoming too much. Has anyone had any similar experiences?

Yes, with DC2. Not growth related, just continual periods of lack of movement. I was in foetal health for monitoring 3-4 times a week for 12 weeks. My consultant was convinced I had GD, although each of the four tests came back negative, then she was concerned about a granulated placenta. It felt never-ending and I never seemed to get answers or reassurance.

Thankfully, as I'd had an EMCS with DC1 (failed induction) I was able to get booked in for an ELCS, although that was a fight when it shouldn't have been.

At this stage it would be a good idea to look into the relative risks/benefits of thr various options - traditional delivery, induction and CS - and also remember that you have the right to consent or not to suggested interventions.

Get all the information you can, I didn't with DC1 and regret it. Good luck

I doubt your obstetrician would be keen on a caesarean section with a low platelet count, OP. There would be excess blood loss from the surgery and you might need platelet infusions, which are in short supply.

I think you are being told to wait and see because that is all that can be done. If they had any further information they would give it to you!

@Babdoc is correct.

This is the "fun" part of pregnancy, you just never know how anything is going to go with it. They are doing what they can I promise you.

I was under consultant for my last 3 pregnancies and I saw a different consultant each time. If you think theyrr missing something, or dismissing something youre worried about. Gently remind them or mention it. Whats the harm.

With DD2 it was just a "wait and see" situation and the last weeks of pregnancy were horrible. She was measuring SGA which wasn't much of an issue as DD1 was SGA and born below the 5th percentile for weight but DD2 had small arm and leg bones (below the 3rd percentile/dropping off the charts) which could be an indicator of Down's syndrome or dwarfism. I'd had the harmony test to rule out Down's but nothing is ever 100% accurate and I had read stories of false negatives (v rare though).
I was told toward the end of my pregnancy, and still no definitive answers, that I could have an amniocentesis but the baby would probably arrive by the time I got my results!! Also, I wouldn't be able to have a termination so late on anyway.
Turns out DD2 was born just fine, a little short though (still is very petite!), but the later stages of that pregnancy were fucking awful. You have my sympathy OP

My consultant made a decision for induction at 37/38 weeks at my 34 week scan due to baby being very small. I have had repeated growth scans as well. Baby is growing steadily but is apparently very small. They are going to give me the induction date by the end of this week. Not much experience of this as I am a FTM but I understand your worry and concern. Hope it goes well for you!

How are you getting on @whatluludid ?

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your lovely messages. It’s been nice to know I’m not completely alone in how I feel.
@mineandyours I’m doing much better this week week thank you. Lockdown has meant way too much time to think about things. I’ve got a growth scan tomorrow so I’m going armed with all my questions!
@mineandyours thank you for the reassurance, all the little questions and concerns seem so manageable on their own, I think I’ve let them all build up into something, hopefully they won’t be. I hope you and little one are doing well

@MnM156 I hope you’ve got a little more clarity this week, fingers crossed your doing well and have some answers

Hi,

I've been monitored and baby is measuring small. Last growth scan below the 10th percentile and today's scan (3 weeks later) below the 3rd percentile so they are inducing me Monday at 36 weeks. Today baby measured 4lbs. Very nervous. They are unsure why she's not gaining the weight needed. We also had a nipt test after a high risk of downs came bk from the 12 week bloods. The nipt test seemed to put us in the clear but wonder if something hasn't been picked up. Hope everything goes ok for everyone.