Baby measuring small at 34 weeks...got to have scan etc. Is this reasonably normal?

[RooneyMara]

Just had MW appt at 34+1, and she measured the bump and said he's still in the same position as a fortnight ago, but measuring smaller - he was 32 last time, now 31.

I mentioned at this point that I've had a bit of 'leaking' - hardly anything tbh, not enough to fill up a panty liner - and she's requested an urgent scan for today or tomorrow.

She said she would have had to anyway because of the measurement, whether I'd had any leaking or not.

So I've got an ultrasound tomorrow morning. I'm just wondering if this is something that happens a lot - it's my third and I'm sure I've had funny measurements in the past, but heard there are stricter guidelines now?

Any experiences welcome - and if he is small, why could this be - could he have stopped growing? and what will they do?

Thankyou x

(bump)

ha

It's not unusual, please don't worry. They will be concerned to check in case your placenta is deteriorating a bit early (IUGR) or fluid leaking to the point where it is too low. MW measurements are pretty variable so don't panic. Also very unlikely that baby will have stopped growing... it may have slowed - but he/she certainly won't have shrunk!

Let us know how you get on, if they are worried about growth you will probably have to go back again in 2 wks, by which point baby will be in a very good position, development wise, for baby to be delivered and be absolutely fine. To put it into context, babies born at 28 weeks are considered "safe bets" for delivery and scbu treatment without any serious complications. 37 wks is considered full term as all development is done, after that babes just get chubbier!

Oh thankyou so much. That's very reassuring.

I didn't know what IUGR was, that's a scary thought but she did say, we won't induce you yet if there's a problem, we like to let them cook for a bit longer.

Yes I can see what you're saying regarding the timing - 36 or 37 weeks would be pretty good going wouldn't it. That's great to know - I suppose they would use induction though? She also said (it's coming back to me now) that the homebirth I'm hoping for might not happen, now.

I hope they can get some accurate measurements from the scan. I'll post back tomorrow - thanks again x

Both mine measured small and I was sent for an extra scan both times. DS1 was 7lb 8oz and DS2 7lb 12oz, so they were both neatly packaged.

The tape measure method is not the most scientifically accurate, so I hope that everything will be fine in your case too. Are you counting the kicks?

tbh even if something is wrong (don't panic, i said if), 34 weeks is FINE. my dd had to come out at that stage, she'd stopped growing for a couple of weeks as well and was born at 4lb 1oz, absolutely perfect, just teeny. only one night in scbu and that was because I kept nearly carking it, nothing to do with her health.

As long as growth is continuing and fluid and dopplers fine they will let you go as long as possible. If they do want to induce you then home birth won't be an option but don't give up hope yet.

Ds1 was 9th centile but I had him in a birthing centre. Ds2 was induced at 37 wks but he was teeny (not even on the chart from 20wk scan or thereafter), born on 0.4th centile, 4lbs. They induced me mainly because fluid deteriorated by 36 weeks but he was scanned every fortnight from 20wks, he kept growing at a normal rate though.

The problem with iugr is once placenta starts failing they can't predict how fast it will continue, so the more concerned they are about this, the more often they will scan - there are certain markers with dopplers which show when total failure is imminent (indicating they should deliver). So I have heard of some people with iugr having almost daily scans. Worst case if early delivery is necessary they may prescribe you steroids for baby's lung development, the last bit that gets "built" but probably the only concern at your stage. But my experiencde with ds2 goes to show they prefer to leave them in as long as they can!

Good luck

I went for a growth scan, but I can't remember at what week. In the scan, they can do a more accurate estimate of the weight of your baby, and what it would be at 40 weeks. It's nothing to be alarmed about yet, they are just being cautions. It's better they take care of you ins't it? Mine was born small at 37 weeks, just over 5lb, but it's healthy and we don't have to stay in SCBU. By the way, 37 weeks is already full term. My doctor friend (who has worked in paeds in a fairly busy hospital) told me anything over 30 or 31 weeks will have no problem. So you are over the danger period.

Good luck.

Thanks guys, that's brilliant. I'm really glad that you have all had such good outcomes with slightly early and/or small babies and also that if they do need to induce, he's past the scary stage and should probably be Ok.

Blue, she didn't say to monitor kicks but he is still moving about in there regularly so hopefully he's Ok. I'll make sure to keep an eye on that side of it.

Aitch...why were you so poorly, was it to do with being delivered early or was it something unrelated? Sorry you had such a tough time.

i'm prone to pre-eclampsia, that's all. no great hassle, just meant that i scooted through the placenta faster than i was supposed to and delivery was the only cure. dd2 is four now, very robust and splendid. she loves it when i tell her how tiny she was, and how precious, and how i kept her lashed to my chest with a sling for the first few months of her life. (her being so teeny made the emergency section a darn sight easier to bounce back from as well, i imagine. )

Thankyou and sorry for what you both went through. It sounds like it was a very special time though, as well, and she sounds absolutely brilliant

More leaking this morning and a bit nervous, would I be right not to let anyone do an internal at this point? I don't want to introduce the chance of infection, even if it's just hindwater. Bit worried about what they will do if it's leaking...just another scan in a week, or something like that?

Right, well I'm back.

the baby is fine and on track...his measurements are along the same trajectory as before so that's great news.

She did a doppler thing during the scan and that was also fine, so the cord is alright, nothing wrong as far as she can see.

The fluid though is borderline, it's pretty low (8.1) but still within normal range. I think it's 5th centile.

Sonographer said contact your midwife and ask what to do next, but MW is off till after lunch so I've sent her a text and will see what she recommends.

Reading up online there seem to be a worse set of outcomes with borderline low fluid, than normal levels, so I guess they will want to keep an eye on the leakage and see what happens...if it is AF leaking that is, which no one knows!

Thanks again for all the help.

My labour started with my water breaking, but with no contractions. As far as I remember, the fluid regenerate itself. Therefore it's not a problem if it's simply leaking, other than higher infection chances. However, they tell me if my fluid dips low to the point that it can't sustain the baby, they'll have to induce me. I was told to take my temperature regularly when I was waiting for my contractions. As a temperature is the first sign of infection.

I think you are right in thinking they'll keep your baby in there, as long as it's safe for him inside. The more time they stay inside, the better it is.

All the best.

Hi I was just going to post a reply when I saw your update , good news about the babies size! Rest as much as you can and drink plenty of fluids. Keep tracking the movements as you are doing and if there is any change or you are worried take yourself up to the hospital for monitoring. Do chase up the midwife to get her thoughts. Look after yourself.

Just adding to homeaway's post. If you do take yourself to the hospital, remember to pack your own thermometer. My NHS experience wasn't great when I was in antenatal for monitoring for PROM. They didn't come and take my temperature regularly and the monitoring was only twice a day. And yes to chasing up the midwife. They are very very busy now with all the staffing reduction and funding cuts.

Oh good idea about the thermometer. If I have to go in I'll remember that - thankyou.

Just spoke to a MW at the hospital somewhere else, who said it's 'still within normal range' so she doesn't want me to come in, isn't interested in the possible leaking as there's so little of it, so basically I don't think I'll be going anywhere unless things change.

Which is good in a way - at least I ought to have my homebirth, if they don't think there's anything wrong.

I'll see what my own MW says later as well, just in case she has a different perspective, but for now I'm going to sit around and not do very much and hope for the best

Great news Rooney, take care and try and relax as much as you can (easier said on 3rd pg I know ). Good luck x