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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

34wks, Growth slowed right down - wondering what Drs might do, or what I should be asking

38 replies

loueytb3 · 22/05/2011 09:36

I've been having fairly regular scans as I have been measuring small by the useless tape measure method throughout. All the scans up until this point had shown the baby is on the 50th centile. Had a scan on Thursday at just over 34wks to check growth and the stomach measurement had dropped to the 30th centile, all other measurements were still on the 50th centile. The sonographer did a Doppler which showed the blood flow was ok and sent me up to day assessment. They checked all the usual stuff and all is normal but they want to see me twice a week for monitoring. I'm seeing the consultant tomorrow (if he's there). I'm just wondering why this might be happening as there is no obvious cause and what they are likely to do. Is there anything I should be asking? I had pre-e last time round with my twins but it was not unexpected since they were twins. They were eventually born at 35+6 and were both classed as IUGR. Current predicted weights with this LO is 1.6kg but last time it totally overestimated DTs weight so I don't have any faith in the estimates.

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QuestionableAntics · 22/05/2011 10:43

Hi louey

I'm sorry I don't have any advice as to what they might do, but hope somebody will come along soon who has been through this.

All I would say is from my own experience in my last pregnancy, 1 scan with a reduced measurement is not enough to be sure about what is going on. You will know more when you have another scan/s and they compare the results. The margin for error in scans for measurements is much greater IMO than they would have you believe. I wouldn't feel confident with what they were saying after only 1 reduced measurement, but it is good that they are monitoring you so closely.

Take care and try your best to not let the worry overshadow your mat leave and excitement in the run up to the big day

Original poster

loueytb3 · 22/05/2011 16:53

Thanks QA - how often did they do growth scans last time round?

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Original poster

loueytb3 · 22/05/2011 21:55

Bumping in case anyone else can help

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PenguinArmy · 23/05/2011 05:12

Sounds like they are being very cautious. My bump didn't grow after 30ish weeks so had two growth scans (one or two weeks apart). The first scan looked fine, like you she was on the smaller side but normal range. Follow up scan was to check that there was growth. She was growing but hid out at the back so my bump didn't change size. It was a good heads up and my mum brought us some early baby size clothes that she lived in for the first month until she was 7 and a half lbs (was born 6 12).

Original poster

loueytb3 · 23/05/2011 10:49

Thanks Penguin. I am really hoping that will be the case for me too. We've got some tiny baby clothes from last time round, but ironically I gave all the premature baby stuff back to SCBU thinking we wouldn't need it again. Lets hope I'm right!

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AitchTwoOh · 23/05/2011 10:54

with me, they knew that dd hadn't grown in a fortnight because i'd been getting scanned regularly, and so that and my high bp at 33 weeks sounded alarm bells. blood flow was fine, placenta fine but i was taken in and scanned every day and at 33+6 my amniotic fluid disappeared overnight and i was taken for a CS. it was fine, dd was fine (4lb 1oz, they had guessed at between 2 and 3), she was only in scbu for one night and we were home within ten days. good luck. things can change quickly, so it's good that they are keeping an eye on you.

Original poster

loueytb3 · 23/05/2011 11:08

Blimey Aitch, that must have been scary. I didn't know that it could change that quickly. I know if my bp starts going up then that is the reason for it, but it is still low at the moment. That was a good weight for 33wks though. Current prediction is 1.6kg which is 3lbs9oz ish. I've been back through my notes and it has only put on 300g in the last month which doesn't sound like a lot to me.

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AitchTwoOh · 23/05/2011 11:22

yes, it was a great weight, especially since she had stopped growing at 31 weeks. it was scary, tbh, the worst thing was how fast it all changed. do take care of yourself.

Original poster

loueytb3 · 23/05/2011 22:10

Spent all afternoon at hospital. Monitoring, bp etc all fine. Have been given the 1st steroid injection - hurts like hell!!! Back tomorrow for the 2nd one. Monitoring on weds, scan on thurs for Doppler and fluid levels and back for monitoring and review by consultant on Friday. He was fairly pessimistic about getting to 39wks and wants to get me to 36wks but is going to take it on a day by day basis. Consultant is great and am very happy that they are keeping a close eye on things even if it is a PITA to be going in every day.

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PenguinArmy · 24/05/2011 06:12

Glad you find the consultant reassuring and although daily is a PITA at least you know you're doing all you can.

Hope that they explain everything and you feel informed and good luck with it all.

AitchTwoOh · 24/05/2011 09:33

great news. main thing is that you like and trust the consultant, imo. good for keeping that bp low...

Original poster

loueytb3 · 25/05/2011 15:17

Today's update is not quite as good and I'm feeling a bit wobbly TBH. BP/urine all fine. Went on the monitor and the first 10 mins were ok, met the criteria and the mw said that she wanted to leave me a little longer and then would take me off. I thought I was going to get out quickly. Then I could hear the heart-rate getting slower, much slower than normal. MWs kept checking the trace and saying it was ok, but I could tell they weren't convinced. Then they said they wanted me to stay on for a full hour. The baseline heart rate was above the criteria but only by 2 bpm. They were sufficiently concerned that they took it to a consultant to sign it off, which he did but they have really drummed into me that any change in movements at all and I have to come straight in and to carry my notes around at all times. Now measuring 29cms (which is smaller than I was) at 35 weeks and I really don't think I am growing at all. I have a feeling the scan tomorrow might show things are getting worse. Very glad I've had the steroids. Just have a sense of foreboding that this baby is going to be out soon and its too early.

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AitchTwoOh · 25/05/2011 15:19

oh my love... it's a bit early but it's not too early, iykwim? after 34 weeks they are grown, just not fat. but you know this already, you poor thing, and you are understandably worried. i do understand, really i do. the best sound in the world will be that wee baby yelling its head off, and it looks like you are going to hear that sooner than expected...

PenguinArmy · 25/05/2011 19:51

May be small for 35 weeks but it is a great time frame to get to. Good luck with the wait tonight, I hope you have some support there with you.

mummy22gorgeousboys · 25/05/2011 22:41

Just wanted to say hope everything goes well for you and baby, and it certainly sounds like you're getting great care from the hospital. They don't seem to be letting anything left to chance, that's got to be a good thing.

Let us know how you get on, and like aitchTwoOh said, baby is grown now and it may be safer / healthier for your baby if he/she is out now?

All the best and keep in touch.

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 26/05/2011 10:15

Keeping my fingers crossed for you. Hope they are looking after you well.

DD was born at 32 weeks and had absolutely no medical problems whatsover. 3 weeks in hospital (1 was in TCU so not so bad),.

It'll all be fine, don't worry. :)

Original poster

loueytb3 · 26/05/2011 10:31

Morning. You are all quite right, 35 weeks is a great stage to get to, some people would kill to get that far. I think the problem is that I had thought that a singleton pg would be less complicated than a twin pg and I would get to nearly term without too much difficulty. As well as that, DS1 has SN (ASD) and we don't know whether this may have been caused in part by his IUGR and prematurity and me having pre-eclampsia. So now I'm worried about the possible effects on this LO as well.

But, this morning, its moving around a lot to reassure me. I am just going to potter around and sort out some stuff and then off to the hospital late afternoon. DH is coming with me so if there is a problem I will have someone there. Will keep you posted!

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LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 26/05/2011 11:37

louey, just to let you know I know how you feel. Last pregnancy was a twin one (sadly DTD1 was stillborn) and I expected this singleton pregnancy to be much easier. Oddly, it hasn't been anywhere near as emotionally difficult as I thought (bearing in mind what happened last time) but having had my own IUGR crisis (seems to have corrected itself), leaking waters and irritable uterus, I'm shocked at how a singleton pregnancy can be just as difficult!

Obviously, my own feelings are very black and white - I'll be happy if the baby is alive, (I thank my lucky starts for every day it is still inside me and every time it moves) but I completely understand the sense of confusion at what should, in comparison, have been so straightforward.

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow, and have the C-section booked for 3 weeks time. At 36 weeks I know that the baby will be absolutely fine. Even though I'm still pretty stressed out about the whole thing, I can't help but be amazed at how quickly it has all gone, and simply the fact that it is still alive is astounding.

Take care, but remember you and the baby are in very good hands. There is nothing to be afraid of even if you have to have the baby today. At 35 weeks it's likely to not even need special care.

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 26/05/2011 11:38

stars not starts!

Original poster

loueytb3 · 27/05/2011 10:38

loopy I'm so sorry about your DTD1, I can't imagine how hard it must be getting through another pg after that. I had a MMC at 12 weeks before this one and then bleeding a few times early on so its not been a walk in the park, even before the latest scare. Glad your LO has picked up growth, and you are nearly there now.

The scan went ok yesterday, fluid levels are fine. The Doppler has got worse since last week and is just about normal (measured 1 and above 1 is abnormal from what I can tell). Sonographer said that tied in with the reduced heart rate on the CTG and sent me upstairs. They then got a consultant to check that he was happy for me to go home and come back tomorrow for monitoring and he did. He wants me to come in every other day for monitoring and has organised a more sophisticated Doppler scan for Tuesday, assuming that we get there. I would like to get to 36 weeks if possible, and actually have a baby in the month in which its due!

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LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 29/05/2011 19:42

Fingers firmly crossed for you. :)

mrsmon · 30/05/2011 10:13

hope all goes well for you :)
Iv to get a growth scan today(1st one ever) im 27+5 and midwife thinks baby feels small or its maybe just position its in, first 2 were breech and transverse. just a little bit worried as iv never had one before and dont know what to expect! iv lost 2stone in weight with this pregnancy which i never did with my previous pregs and do actually feel and look smaller than what i did with my boys! just hoping its nothing to be worried about x

LoopyLoopsBettyBoops · 30/05/2011 10:23

Growth scan is just like a normal scan but shorter, don't worry and good luck. :)

Original poster

loueytb3 · 30/05/2011 11:35

Lots of luck mrsmon - they basically measure head, tummy and legs in a growth scan and plot them on a graph. It's good they are keeping an eye on you and hopefully it's just the baby lying in an awkward position.

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mrsmon · 30/05/2011 12:37

Thats what im hoping :) thanks ladies xx

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