IUGR - likely prem-birth

[SnookyPook]

Hi all!

I'm 30wks today. Being closely monitored as little one was 3rd centile at 20wk scan and first son was 5th centile at birth (6lbs15oz at 41+1 - not detected prior to birth). We've had a couple of scans since, and at the last one (29+4) his growth was showing signs of stalling. I'm now going to be in for bi-weekly Doppler scans starting tomorrow and the next growth scan in just under a fortnight when I will be just under 32wks. They've told me that if his growth hasn't picked up at that point, or any other indicators of distress, they will probably want him out around 33/34wks.

Obviously been a lot to get my head around. I just wondered if anyone has similar experience and positive outcomes to share to help my nerves (I had three first trimester losses last year adding a little extra tension!)

Also, does anyone know - when you look online there are different classes of pre-term babies with obviously better development etc as the weeks progress. On those, mine is currently more akin to the 27/28wk weight (2lbs4oz at last scan) than the 29/30 one - would this mean development would be more akin to the more prem babies even though by gestation I'm further on? I will ask at my next appointment too but just wondered if anyone knew anything.

Appreciate any insights! All very up in the air. There is still a chance growth picks up a bit and he can stay in until closer to 37/38wks but just trying to get my head around everything!

Thanks ☺️

Hey I had a baby at 34 weeks and 36 weeks

34 weeker was being monitor by scans and I went into labour spontaneously. She was 3lb she spent 2 weeks in nicu but breathing was fine she only had to stay because she could not latch on to a bottle.

She is now 14 and is taller than me and her dad with she caught up right away !!!

Are u also anemic ? Xx

I had my daughter at 33+6 and she weighed 3lb 8oz corresponding to a 31 week weight. She came out crying and needed no additional help with breathing. I had 2 steroid injections prior to birth which helped her. We stayed in the nicu for 5 weeks and she came home around a week before her due date.

Thanks for the replies and happy to hear that your little ones did so well despite arriving so early. It's really reassuring 💗

@charlie19900 no, no anemia. Nothing obvious causing it 🤷🏼‍♀️ from my first son I think I maybe just make small babies and perhaps being a bit older etc it's just been more of an issue this time round?!

Had my check today and thankfully so far blood flow is still looking good, amniotic fluid levels perfect etc and little man is still looking healthy and happy. Just riding it out to the next growth scan now and we'll see how he's doing. I am feeling a bit more reassured though. The consultant also said even if the decision is made that it's best to get him out, it would still be a week or so from the decision to it happening, and time to give steroids, magnesium sulphate injection (think it was that?!) etc. I'll be in again for checks on Friday but I guess at this point, every few days are a bonus! Feeling more hopeful we will get to at least 33wks and your stories have really reassured me about how he could be at that point. Thank you! 💕

Glad the scan went well on Tuesday.

FWIW I was being scanned for growth with DC 2 and ended going fill term abs she was 8lb 3oz.

Forgot to add there's a Prem section under "Being a Parent" which might be of some use

@CadyEastman ah fab, thank you! And that's great to hear about your little one - that's not even a small baby! Yes it's so random isn't it! Kind of feel constantly unsure as it could happen at any point but then again they could still get to term! Have to be prepared for any eventuality! All still looking good at the second Doppler check. Next one Tuesday and then the important growth scan on Friday so we'll see what happens! I feel like he's definitely grown over the last week and I've started getting a bit of reflux which I didn't have before so he's obviously encroaching more on my digestive areas... Hopefully good signs! His movements have also got a lot stronger the last few days. 🤞🏼

Just an update for anyone who finds the thread at some point and might be interested...

So, last growth scan showed good growth. He'd put on ~1lb in two weeks so is up to 3lbs3oz at 31+4. Still <3rd centile but looking strong and blood flow, arteries, fluid etc still all looking good. They're less worried about biweekly scans now as all has been looking good, so I'll have one this Thursday with my consultant to check Dopplers and then the next growth one at 33+4. All continuing along current path, they would be looking to deliver by 37wks. So still a bit early but not as prem as initially flagged as a possibility. Obviously this is good news though with the caveat things could rapidly change.

So, plodding on for now. Bit paranoid with the movement monitoring and also carefully thinking through birth options (induction v. C-section) but hopefully all good for a few weeks more 🙏🏼

Update for future readers:

Had an elective C-section early yesterday afternoon at 37wks on the dot. In the end, despite being nervous about surgery I felt confident this was the right choice for my little man and I felt sure I didn't want to put him through an induced labour. I also felt this was the best call for my own MH and anxieties about getting him here safely. Hospital were very supportive of this and the consultant who did my consent said he thought it was the right call. He even used a phrase I had thought myself which was that the C-section took the risk off Babba and onto myself.

I am SO glad I took this option. The elective section was as others describe - peaceful, efficient, fast and so positive. I was excellently supported throughout. Had the spinal and was able to watch little man emerging - amazing!

He was born on the 2nd centile at 5lbs7oz but thankfully super strong! He's aced all his obs so far and had been feeding well. I feel so very lucky to have him here safely and to have made it to such a decent gestation in the end 🥰

Early days for my own recovery but so far so good. I managed to stand and have a short walk and a shower about 8hrs after the surgery and pain is manageable so far.

Thanks again for the support 💗

Congratulations! So lovely to hear of a great outcome 💐