Baby breech and measuring small for dates at nearly 36 weeks :(

[BushyKate]

Just had a bit of a worrying midwife appointment and could do with hearing some experiences or just a bit of hand holding.

I am 35+5, measuring 32-33 today at the appointment, but I was measuring 34 at my last appointment. Baby is also breech, MW thinks. Waiting for hospital to call to arrange a scan. I just feel so worried about whether she is ok in there - I felt like something was not quite right as she seems small (DS was a big baby), the wrong way up and curled in a corner!

The MW told me to keep an eye on movements in the meantime - I think she moves often enough but there isn't much of a pattern - sometimes lots, sometimes not much for a while.

Anyway, I just have to wait for the scan I guess - I need to calm down in the meantime because my head is just racing with worst case scenarios...

No experience but didn't want to read and not answer. When are you likely to get a scan? Movements sound good - maybe try to keep a list of when you feel her?

Two of my babies were breech. One was diagnosed, the other not. Both were born quickly without medical intervention and without problems. DD1 (undiagnosed) weighed 2.8kg and DD2 weighed 3kg. I did very little pushing for either of them. My experience was not usual I don't think, but breech births are not necessarily either difficult or traumatic.

Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy and the birth!

bushykate firstly, its good that you are being kept an eye on. i had exactly the same as this with both my DC - though DS (my first) eventually turned at 38 weeks. both measured a good few weeks behind, both were breech and i was constantly in and out of hospital being monitored for movements with DS.

just to let you know, they both arrived safely (but under 7lbs) and are fine! DS arrived naturally on due date, having turned. DD who has always been a somewhat more willful child, arrived by ELCS 2 weeks early. She was footling breech so i was strongly advised to have a section. Had she been a complete breech I would have tried for a VB again. In the end she got here and though it wasnt the way i imagined we were both safe.

So wait out for your scan, there is still time for your baby to turn if youre worried about the presentation, esp as its your second. Also do keep an eye on the movements, keep a note or use the app. And if you are at all worried about lack of movement please phone the MW. they really wont mind and its always better to get checked out.

excuse typing, my small for dates upside down DD is clambering all over my lap .

hope it all goes well for you.

Hi Kate,

Measuring the bump is not always accurate. Do not freak out just yet. Growth spurts can mean they catch up or lag behind at any stage (I know this for a fact as I have 4 weekly growth scans with DC2 because of my history). Being up or down by a week or two is not normally on its own a cause for concern.

DC1 was a tiny. She had IUGR. This meant that I had to be monitored really closely and induced at 37 weeks but she is totally fine now. A scan will measure your placenta function and take measurements and see if there is any cause for concern, and there may not be. If there is they will monitor you and get the baby out if they think they need to, when it is safe to do so. One thing I would say though is if you are worried about movements at all - just go in - don't wait for a scan. Always best to just put your mind at rest. You do feel small babies less but you should still know their patterns.

Honestly - please do not worry - she may not be small at all, and if she is they will establish why and what they can do about it. My DD is now taller than anyone in her peer group and fit as a fiddle, you would never know she was such a shrimp at birth.

Let us know how you get on, get all the facts and don't worry, the most important thing is that they are keeping an eye on you and the baby.

Thanks so much for the replies.
The small for dates thing is really my main concern right now - it just feels so strange as DS had growth scans for the opposite reason! Also I can't stand the thought that my placenta has stopped working properly or something and she might be at risk :(

Anyway, still waiting for the call from the hospital - MW thinks scan should be tomorrow or monday/tuesday latest. I just hate waiting - just want to know everything's ok...

Thanks again - it is reassuring to hear from others who have been there. Is there a connection between breech and small for dates, does anyone know?

just had a long post and it went pff!

i think that i measured small with the tape measure as my babies were nice and comfy tucked up under my ribs, had teeny bump both times. they measured ok with the scan though - that scan will also check that the placenta is working properly and how much fluid you have too. if they are at all concerned they will soon let you know.

glad they are looking after you, i do know how easy it is to worry. hopefully your appointment will come through soon for you.

At my 36 week appointment I was measuring 31 weeks with no change since 31 weeks. So they sent me for a scan to check everything was ok. Baby was estimated at 6.5lb then and was at 80% percentile! Placenta etc all fine. The sonagrapher said it must be the way baby is lying which is head down ( so no idea why it's measuring small).

So it can be fine if the fundus height is off. But they did fraj me out while waiting for my scan.

Just found out scan is on Wednesday. Seems ages to wait - but maybe this is normal?
Feeling really anxious but just need to try to get my mind off it for a few days I guess. Easier said than done!

Hope bubba is ok - she is pretty active some of the time but when she's not it's really worrying :(

Does anyone know how much movement I should expect at this point (36 weeks)?

Oh, meant to say thanks for the replies shelley and McBaby - I hope this is the case for me too!

tis a pleasure. FWIW, i think i had to wait from a thurs to a tues to have my scan so it doesnt sound as they are overly concerned which is a good thing.

hope that your appointment goes well on wednesday, and if youre at all worried over the weekend, call someone. they really wont mind!