URGENT questions :-( Need advice from any and everyone but midwives are especially needed.

[TotallyAndUtterlyPaninied]

36+1 and had a growth scan today. Baby is already 8lb 3oz. Her heartbeat is still very irregular as it has been throughout.

She has a lot of amniotic fluid, way above average.

And most worryingly, she has a large abdominal. Way above the top line on the chart.

Obstetrician has decided to give me a sweep 2 weeks today and then induce within 48-72 hours. He is an exceptional consultant, however, he is going to be away!

I have bad SPD, I'm on crutches and so my legs will only open 39cms. This is also a bit of a problem but he thinks it will be ok.

The head midwife asked if I had been tested for downs.. so now I'm terrified this baby has downs.

I have high sugar in my wee and have done all pregnancy but I don't have gestational diabetes.

The consultant did not mention the baby's big tummy once and I wonder if he overlooked this information.

I'm beside myself with worry. I don't know what's happening or why or how I can make it better.

And I cannot see how she's going to get out safely with all these problems.

Also, consultant said they will not be able to use forceps due to SPD so in that instance I guess I would need an emergency cesarean?

Please help me, I'm in a state, I need information and can't find anything online.

Big hugs.

Please remember it's not an exact science any of it. They probably don't know anything concrete just that something seems not "right".

I'm sorry that you are going through such a hard time.

I had polyhydromnious but didn't know until after my baby was born. He was measured as being 7lb 12oz at 3pm. He was born at 7.01pm weighing 6lb 12.5oz.

Keep an eye on the movements.

Oh Totally, this sounds so hard for you... I really can't add anything helpful but have obviously been following your story on our February thread and din't want you to go unanswered. I'm sure more helpful people will be along soon.
In the meantime, if it were me, I'd have to go down the line of blocking it out ( a talent of mine that comes in useful in very difficult situations) until you know more. I'm amazed you didn't handcuff yourself to the furniture and refuse to leave until they'd booked you in for a section in the next week! I know we want natural births, but it sounds llike mentally you need to get on with having the baby so that you know what you are dealing with. And, you will deal with whatever turn of the dice is thrown your way - the not knowing is worse. Eat cake, cry, cuddle whoever is closest to you, do whatever you can to get through the next couple of weeks. Go back to the hospital and ask for another consultation to discuss your worries - I'm sure you've thought of more questions/concerns since you came away. Will be thinking of you and waiting to hear. Sending positive thoughts and un-mumsnetty hugs.

I think if you are worrying like this, then you need to contact the unit and ask for another appointment or for the consultant to ring you to discuss this.

Am so sorry you are worried, but an internet search won't help as your questions are so specific.

If the consultant was worried, you would be in hospital with a plan for delivery already.

Try not to read anything into the Downs question, she was prob just filling in a form.

Irregular heart beat- who told you this? If significant, would have thought they would have arranged specialist scan.

Abdo circ and amniotic fluid-please ring them back and ask if these are concerning.

Try not to worry too much, I know that is easier said than done and I really feel for you.

it is not a good idea to try to google for information

out of interest, what is your fundal height ?

so your baby is big, and you have lots of fluid and baby has a larger tummy.. you are worried about GD and polyhydramnios?

i would suggest the following:

you call the consultant tomorrow, and ask to have a chat about the things you are worried about, or ask to discuss again with teh consultant midwife, these professionals are there to put your mind at rest

write a list of pressing questions and ask them of your care givers

get some answers from teh people managing your care

Sorry you're so worried and stressed, I would be, it's natural to feel anxious when things aren't going according to plan.

Here's a link to some info on SPD, scroll down a bit for positions to give birth in. Two of my friends had SPD and both managed vaginal deliveries just fine.

As for your others concerns regarding the baby, can you call your midwife in the morning and have a really good chat with her?

I wish you all the best, try not to worry too much (i know how hard it is).

DS also had an irregular heartbeat from about 30 weeks, and very badly during my labour. He is fine.

sorry I can't offer much advice, other than I also had very bad SPD. I am not a medical professional, but in your situation I would be pushing for the ELCS route. When I had DS I had to have an epidural, with my legs in stirrups, as far apart as possible . DS is 2 and my hips are still really bad.

sending un-MN [hugs] your way

The irregular heartbeat was from 24 weeks and I got sent to the top neonatal hospital in the country- fetal medicine did a scan, then another a couple of weeks late and it seemed a bit better so they discharged me, but since then it's every single time they check the heartbeat and it doesn't matter how long they do it. It's definately got worse so I'm back to worrying about that, too

I think I'm going to have to ring consultant and see if he'll speak to me.

Do you think I should push to be induced earlier or do you think he knows what he's doing?

There are a lot of stillbirths at our hospital.

I don't understand why the baby would have such a big tummy? Does anyone know?

P.s- thanks for all these replies, DH and I are reading every word.

I had chronic SPD with dc3 and gave birth fine vaginally. I demanded to be induced at 40 weeks (I waited to 40+16 previously and not gone into labour) so 40weeks was early for me.

It took more than 24 hours to get me into established labour (remembering this was my 3rd). With the additional issues with the heartbeat I think I would ask for c-section tbh.

I would def be asking to speak to the consultant again urgently or perhaps for a 2nd opinion?

totally, i'm so sorry you're in this situation. I know nothing, being a firsttimer too, but if i were you, i would be on the phone to the MW now - are you in england? If so, do you have a 24 hour advice line to call, or even go in to? Our MWs say repeatedly to call them anytime over any worry at all, so i would do just that. Better that way than you and DH worrying and not sleeping all night. And I hope so much that the person who answers the phone can help. Huge hug, and we're all with you x

What makes you so sure that you don't have gestational diabetes? What tests have you had and how often for it? Sugar in your urine and a baby with a very big tummy sounds like you have to me.

I really think that if there were significant concerns, then your consultant would have told you.

I think you are being induced because babe is big and wonder if that is why you have a lot of amniotic fluid.

I also think that your baby's abdo circ may be measuring big because of the increased fluid-?? swallowing more of it so has a fullish tummy.

I would also think that if neonatal unit had any on-going concerns they would have arranged rescan. You need to ask specifically about this.

As for labour, you may well have a vaginal birth even with the SPD. You may have increased risk of section because of being induced and largish baby though. Good to hear they won't do forceps tho' (cos of SPD)

Keep talking on here if it helps. You could ring the unit now, if they are quiet, some-one might go and have a look at your notes and be able to answer some of your questions.

there were concerns that my baby had short thigh bones and a big tummy

she was basically just short and fat - so it's always hard to tell

But it sounds like you have lots of questions and you need to ask them and get answers. Sometimes you have to pester. Write a list of questions and take them with you. Let your DH help as your advocate and make sure that everything is answered. Demand to be seen and to talk to your consultant. Don't worry by yourselves - get answers. Be stroppy and demand to talk to someone.

Good luck.

If they were overally concerned they would have kept you in and put you on steriods to strengthen the babies lungs and look to do an earlier induction. Seriously unless they have very serious concerns for you or the baby they will always try to avoid an induction prior to 38 weeks, so on this part I would say they aren't overly concerned. Any birth prior to 38 weeks is classed as premature!

That doesn't stop you worrying though! I had a 2 cord vessel with my first pregnancy and got myself in a right state with my intenet searchs, people generally don't write positive stories, so I found loads of negatives which pushed my stress levels up! Please do not rely on internet searches they can end up making things worse!

With the illregular heartbeat if there is a change in movements then I would go to the hospital/call the hospital for monitoring, do you have a few "tricks" that give you kicking? For my first pregnancy a bath, or ice-cream/cold drink used to give me kicking so if I hadn't had as many as normal I would have a bath/have ice-cream to get kicks!

The size thing isn't always accurate i am sure my 34 weeks can with dd1 said she was 6lb 12oz, she was born at 38 weeks (spontanous labour) and was 6lb 6oz (in theory she should have put a pound on a week form the 34 week scan!). These measurements are a guideline! My friend had GD and was scanned at 36 weeks told baby was already 8lb 12oz and induced at 38 weeks baby was born 7lb 12oz so please take these measurements with a little pinch of salt they aren't always accurate!

As Lulu suggested write a list of questions and speak to your caregivers tomorrow for peace of mind! If you do end up having to be induced I'd book a "treat" the day before be a pregnancy massage (help you get a good nites sleep night before) some people have births that are short and they cope well no one knows until it all starts!

Good luck and let us know how you get on with the consultant tomorrow x

Sorry don't know much about the irregular heartbeat but do about the tummy and polyhydramnios.

I have had ph in all 3 of my pg, dd (first) was average sized and didn't have any growth scans etc. With ds1 I had polyhydramnios +++, I was measuring 50cm+ by the end and his tummy was way way off the scale. I passed a GTT though he was 9lb 10oz at 38 weeks and I so obviously had gest diabetes or at best impaired glucose tolerance.

With ds2 I had about 12 scans due to different issues/growth and went on to fail the GTT. He was measuring bigger than his brother and scan weight was 7lb+ at 32 weeks and 9lb 140z at 37 weeks. I also had polyhydramnios although nowhere near as bad as ds1, and was measuring pretty much bang on dates by the end much to midwives surprise. He was 8lb 9oz at 38 weeks despite proclamations of doom and elephant babies, and pretty skinny and chicken legged.

I would bet my hat that you have gestational diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance. All my dc's are fine btw, healthy (touch wood).

The only reason ds2 was smaller than ds1 was that the diabetes was picked up, I modified my diet and was also put on insulin from 30 weeks. Ds1 was really fat looking when born massive tummy and chubby everywhere.

Plus scans are really not that accurate as ds2 showed.

I wish you so much luck, and know that horrible panicy feeling when you just want them out and safe, but the hp's do not take these things lightly I always find. If they ar relaxed it's a good sign.

Oh and don't google polyhydramnios, I did and scared myself silly. If you have a normal 20 week scan it's unlikely to be down to genetic defects, most likely glucose issues or in fact unexplained. I think I remember my dr saying that at least 70% of cases were unexplained and there could be a maternal genetic predisposition to carrying more fluid.

I have no idea about growth scans and irregular heart beat.

But you are worried sick, and that is not good for you or the baby.

Phone the hospital first thing tomorrow. Speak to a doctor or a midwife there, and insist that you get another scan and a second opinion.

Make a huge fuss if you have to. Do you have someone who can go with you and make a fuss for you?

Do you have an alternative hospital that you can go to?

Not saying that anything is wrong, but you should be getting answers to your questions and worries.

Just wanted to add a wee bit of reassurance re the SPD. I had it bad, crutches from 25 weeks, Pain free gap of 31cm, I gave birth vaginally (& bloomin quickly) to DS, I was standing throughout labour and was slightly leaning over outside of birthing pool (couldnt use it as labour too quick & it was manky & hadnt been cleaned properly! dead spiders in there)as he was delivered, caught expertly by a lovely MW and a student.

Good luck with everything.

Agree with MmeLindt too, if you are not happy with your plan of care or at any time have an instinct that something is wrong then go to the hospital and refuse to be removed until you get satisfactory answers/a second opinion. I was very laid back about ds1 because the dr's didn't seem at all worried and plus he was a very good mover, but if you are not happy, demand the care you deserve.

Just wanted to say that it sounds like GD and not like Down's...

hello lovely lady... you are amazing and so is your baby. Your baby is not average - but who is?

My sister went for scans at about the same time and was told her baby was huge (they were telling her over 10lbs at birth!) and had a massive belly, they would have to induce, c-section etc.etc.. She too was really worried but said she felt fine and the baby felt fine to her. In the end she delivered a 9lb boy, at home, no interventions except gas and air. All was well.
I was told my DD was measuring small at 39 weeks and I should go for scans, being the stubborn hippy that I am I refused. She's 2 now and still tiny (but fierce).

Apart from the obvious stress and worry all this is causing how do you feel in yourself? How does your baby feel to you? What do you want to do for your birth? He IS going to come out safely, either through the sunroof or the traditional way - whichever feels right to you when the time comes. The experts know some things but not every thing, and you know your body and baby better than anyone else. What I wish the dear experts would consider is the effect their casual pronouncements have on the people they are dealing with. Like you and your DB.

Your hormones are also probably compounding your fears at the moment and all your terror and fear about downs etc. etc. is perfectly normal, I remember the mess I was in about 37 weeks - I threw a pot of tea against the wall (by mistake) and sobbed like a child in front of the student midwife, phoned my mum and she told me all the fears she had before I was born, horrible dreams etc. which made me feel much better.

All your other pregnancy problems must be making it so much harder for you, but you have come this far and dealt with it all, you are strong, capable and amazing.

Big hugs to you and your remarkable (and not average) baby.

(little mantra all shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well - Julian of Norwich)

OK....

36+1 and had a growth scan today. Baby is already 8lb 3oz. Her heartbeat is still very irregular as it has been throughout.

You do get this. If a consultant has seen a scan or scanned the heart and is happy, that is good enough. Nothing has changed so try and put this away for now.

She has a lot of amniotic fluid, way above average.

Not uncommon at all. Especially in larger babies. Larger placenta = larger fluid volumes.

And most worryingly, she has a large abdominal. Way above the top line on the chart.

Ok. you grow them big. No wonder your pelvis os creaking. Induction sounds sensible, but obviously the consultant feels there is no huge issue, the baby is better in that out. There would need to be severe issues to induce now. Bit more lung maturity, then deliver a little early. Sounds good.

Obstetrician has decided to give me a sweep 2 weeks today and then induce within 48-72 hours. He is an exceptional consultant, however, he is going to be away!

That's ok. The consultant wouldn't induce or deliver you anyway - or at least that is unlikely. Only if it was a c'section in the end. And only if he was on-call onthe day and was about or the senior on asked for him to be there. So try not to be too concerned about that. The induction is booked and so his decision is acted on.

I have bad SPD, I'm on crutches and so my legs will only open 39cms. This is also a bit of a problem but he thinks it will be ok.

Poor you. It's horrid. You must have a physio? Many ladies find delivering on their side is lovely anyway [I did] but might be ideal for you. The early induction might be good idea to help you recover.

The head midwife asked if I had been tested for downs.. so now I'm terrified this baby has downs.

Forget it. Midwife did not think before speaking. Maybe she just wondered.

I have high sugar in my wee and have done all pregnancy but I don't have gestational diabetes.

I assume you had a GTT prior to 34 weeks? If there was extra fluid at that time? The fluid and the sixe might point to GD - but there is no point doing a GTT now really. The results would be inconclusive really. It is great if you have positive confirmation that you do not have GD. It is probably the reason the consultant has tried to act conservatively.
The NICE guidelines suggest sugar in wee is a poor indicator of GD. They actually suggest it is largely abandoned.

The consultant did not mention the baby's big tummy once and I wonder if he overlooked this information.

That would be very unusual. No one is perfect, but when you interpret a scan the AC is one of the most significant results we look for. That and the cord pressure and fluid levels. It might be an idea to reassure yourself on this by getting in touvh with him.

I'm beside myself with worry. I don't know what's happening or why or how I can make it better.

Nothing is happening for another 2 weeks. You are just going to keep being pregnant. Then you will be induced if you haven't laboured yourself.
Start looking onto induction processes when you feel ready, so you know what to expect. In the meantime carry on like anyone else. If you are worried about anything, like movements or whatever, seek advice. You yourself need to care for your pelvis, eat and drink and get rest.

And I cannot see how she's going to get out safely with all these problems.

Loads of pregnancies have extra fluid. It is not a problem where the common causes have been ruled out.
SHe is a fair size, but then some babies are 6lb and still need a section to deliver them. Some are 9lbs 6 oz and nearly deliver in the lift. It isn't a problem she is big, it just needs bearing in mind and managing on the day. Depending on how the labour unfolds. Which is the same for all labours.

Also, consultant said they will not be able to use forceps due to SPD so in that instance I guess I would need an emergency cesarean?

He's respecting your pelvis and doesn't want to cause further issues for you. You can imagine the position the delivering doctor needs you in to do a forceps. Legs as wide as they go to open the outlet of the pelvis as much as possible. This can't be done for you - clearly. So if the baby won't come with puching, a section will prevent further damage to you. The physio's wil heart him

Please help me, I'm in a state, I need information and can't find anything online.

Bless you. Try to organise an email or a telephone conversation or another meeting with the consultant. It's always the way, the questions and fear set in at home. I think you should try to write your points down, and have the consultant [or a senior grade] work through them step by step.