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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Growth has stopped at 33 weeks....

36 replies

plumviolet · 12/05/2011 08:20

Hello there,

I am high risk due to a previous stillbirth and have been getting regular growth scans since 24 weeks. I just got back from my latest scan and got some bad news that the baby has not grown in the last 2 weeks. I am currently 33+4 but am only measuring 31+5. In all my previous scans the baby has been growing nicely on a steady curve at around the 60 percentile but now has dropped below 50. I had a trace done and the midwives said that it looked ok and the baby was reactive and there was lots of movement, so that was reassuring, but surely having such a dramatic drop is a really bad sign that the baby is not getting what it needs? Does anyone have any experience in this?

This has been a difficult pregnancy for me as I lost my little girl at 32 weeks 3 years ago (she stopped moving, self refered to triage and i found out that she had no heartbeat) and the timing of this seems a bit to close for my liking. If there is something wrong I want to catch it early and get her out. They want me to come in for another growth scan in a week...

The midwife said it could be just different scanning machines, technicians or a rouge measurement. I don't know wether I should freak out or not.

Thanks x

OP posts:

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schobe · 12/05/2011 08:23

Are you under a consultant? No experience, but it sounds as though you should be getting more input from doctors following your awful previous experience.

I think you should push for a second opinion and/or be seen by a consultant. I would start by making an appointment with your GP.

I hope others with more experience will be along soon - hope I haven't got it vastly wrong.

Just...huge hugs for you and what you've been through.

Northernlurker · 12/05/2011 08:25

With your history I would be concerned quite honestly. Presumably you are under a consultant? Ring up their secretary today and insist on seeing them today. I think you need to discuss the situation as a matter of urgency and I'm a bit bemused as to why the midwife didn't arange this? They are usually very keen to get a consultant view.
At the very least you should be monitored every day.

Northernlurker · 12/05/2011 08:26

Oh and if the secretary says that the consultant isn't in then ask for another consultant or the registrar. Somebody will be in and don't be afraid to be grumpy and difficult in getting to see them.

MadameBoo · 12/05/2011 08:27

I think it's not at all surprising that you're worried. I haven't had a stillbirth but two of my friends have. Are you under consultant care due to your previous stillbirth? And do they have any idea why it happened last time?

Original poster

plumviolet · 12/05/2011 08:37

I have a consultant who I have seen throughout the pregnancy who is great and normally really reassuring but she is on holiday at the moment so I saw a stand in registrar, she was the one that wanted me to come in in one week to monitor growth.

We had an autopsy done on my little girl and they found no reason. Apparently there was a clot in the placenta but they could not determine whether it had formed before or after she died. As a precaution I have been on aspirin throughout this pregnancy.

I just don't think I could handle another stillbirth.

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MadameBoo · 12/05/2011 08:47

I was going to ask about aspirin - my friend took that during her second pregnancy (healthy baby born).

When is your consultant due back?

beachyhead · 12/05/2011 08:53

I am guessing at this stage, they should be considering delivering you. I had stilted growth from 28 to 30 weeks and delivered at 31 weeks after close monitoring. I would pester for a consultant appointment, or take yourself in for monitoring....

Original poster

plumviolet · 12/05/2011 08:58

How was your wee one? I am so scared about her coming so early.

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mylovelymonster · 12/05/2011 08:58

If it were me, I would want to be admitted and monitored and baby delivered at first sign of an issue. At the very least a daily check by community MW.
I must apologise though, I have no experience of this or knowledge of whether you have a problem, but I wouldn't be comfortable with not having a clear explanation from the HPCs. Sounds as though they don't know either.

The stress alone this is causing you is not healthy & you need to be cared for. Can you phone your labour ward and have a chat to one of the senior midwives there? IME, in the later stages of pregnancy, the local labour ward is all too happy to see you if you have a genuine concern.

So sorry you are going through this.

MadameBoo · 12/05/2011 09:00

Yes. I think the general concensus is to call them or get yourself back up there and tell them you're not happy with waiting a week. Let us know how it goes.

Original poster

plumviolet · 12/05/2011 09:00

I think the consultant is back next week.

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MadameBoo · 12/05/2011 09:05

Plum I wouldn't be able to wait. I think asking for daily monitoring might be a start. Or someone who is willing to have a conversation about delivering early. Is there anyone around to go with you and support you?

IzzyWizzyletsgetbusy · 12/05/2011 09:22

I'm so sorry about the loss of your daughter. Of course you're worried; I think a week is far too long to ask you to wait. Please ring and speak to anyone you can, do not be afraid to keep badgering until someone will see you. That is their job. If you really can't get to see a consultant, then at least get yourself up to the ante natal day clinic at the hospital for monitoring then once you're there be very vocal to everyone you see until someone takes you seriously. If you can, take someone with you to help fight your corner.

If you absolutely can't see anyone at the hospital today (which would be appalling) would you consider a private scan to get a second consultant opinion?

I can understand your concerns about a possible early delivery, but sometimes it is the best option. Fwiw, my friend had her little girl at 30 weeks and she was absolutely fine - they kept her in 3 weeks for monitoring but there were no problems. She's at school now and doing well.

I hope you can get some reassurance asap x

WillbeanChariot · 12/05/2011 09:22

I'm so sorry that you are going through this, and that you lost your little girl.

My DS stopped growing and had to be delivered at 27 weeks. He had a rough ride but is now sitting in his high chair eating weetabix. At well over 30 weeks your baby has an excellent chance of a smooth journey through SCBU. Just wanted to reassure you in case you have to deliver early.

I would be pushing to be seen in your situation, but I also know several people who have continued for many weeks and even to term with limited growth. There are particular signs they look for to deliver early such as small abdomen compared to head. The fact your baby is still growing albeit slower is really positive. I hope you get some answers.

deardoctor · 12/05/2011 09:27

Ask for a doppler scan of blood flow through the placenta if this has not already been done.FWIW both mine started to drop through the centiles starting from 32 weeks - I have a blood clotting disorder and lost 2nd baby halfway through pg so it was very scary when this happened in the subsequent pg.

The docs were not worried at all, did the doppler scan which showed blood flow fine, tummy and head were still growing at similar rates and baby was still actually growing though much more slowly.

Browncoats · 12/05/2011 09:29

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I just wanted to add that my friend delivered at 30 weeks last year and has a very healthy baby boy who is perfect!

I hope you get some answers soon.

RunningWithScissors · 12/05/2011 09:32

I too have a blood-clotting disorder (Factor V Leiden), and would have to take heparin (Clexane) injections every day if pregnant as well as aspirin; might be worth asking the consultant about that too.

beachyhead · 12/05/2011 09:43

Sorry, stepped away. She was fine (now a stroppy teenager). She was 3lbs 1/2oz which was light for her 31 weeks but she was in the unit for about three weeks and home at 4lbs..... but I would get in there. I was in and out for three weeks and they decided to deliver in the middle of the night following a monitoring that showed her heartbeat was too irregular, which meant she wasn't getting the right level of oxygen. They said the placenta had deteriorated significantly when it eventually delivered.....

Most hospitals are very understanding when it comes to worries, especially following a still born. I had a friend who they actually gave a very early planned cs to as she had had a history of sb...

Good luck

Original poster

plumviolet · 12/05/2011 09:49

Ok, I just rang the daycare at the hospital and they want me to come in for a chat with a consultant and another trace. Thanks everybody for your advice. Xxx

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mylovelymonster · 12/05/2011 09:59

That's a relief!
Pack a bag for a stay, push for full evaluation and clear advice, and an early delivery plan.
Fingers crossed for you and the little one. Let us know how you are when you can.

MadameBoo · 12/05/2011 10:00

Brilliant. Hope it all goes very well. Will be thinking of you.

Northernlurker · 12/05/2011 18:19

Hope your are doing ok. Really pleased you've been seen again.

ilovesprouts · 12/05/2011 18:23

how are you, hope your ok

babycarmen · 12/05/2011 18:24

I had growth scans with my daughter (1st pregnancy) due to her measuring small.. When i was 37 weeks they said the growth had almost stopped since 34 weeks. Told me to come back a week later.. When i went back she hadnt grown at all so i was admitted that day to be induced, they said my placenta had stopped working for some reason. However, i went on to give birth to a very healthy and happy 6lb 2oz baby girl. I know its very scary, hope you and bump are both well!

Original poster

plumviolet · 12/05/2011 21:25

Thankfully saw the consultant and midwife today, they hooked me up to the hr trace when I arrived for about an hour and they were happy with the reactions, she moved a lot also, which was good.

The consultant told me that she wasn't worried about the baby and she was safer in than out for the time being. Apparently the fluid levels were good and the Doppler through the chord looked ok that she reckons that it was just a bit of a rouge measurement and that she is happy to see how it goes. She wants me back in bi weekly for monitoring for the foreseeable.

I guess now it's just a waiting game, and they are doing what they can. I am going back in on monday for another check on the doppler and fluids and in a week I'll get another growth scan and they will check if the baby is growing.

I am so ready for this baby to be out and safely in my arms. Thank you all for being so lovely and supportive I don't know what I would do without you all!

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