Another growth scan - measuring small

[CostaAddict]

Hi all

Posted before about always measuring 3/4 weeks bigger. Had a growth scan previously and all checked out ok.

Have seen midwife yesterday and I'm now measuring 28wks at 33wks. Have been seen in labour triage for the last two weeks due to high blood pressure but not yet on treatment as my diastolic is sitting under 100 (averaging 92-96). Blood tests - specifically urea - has come back high normal so they're also keeping an eye on this.

I'm miserable with SPD and the swelling in my hands/face/feet. Also have horrendous headaches that have been persistent for the last 3-4 days.

Got a call today to go into hospital tomorrow morning. They will do a growth scan and also booked for medical assessment. Not much has been explained but I'm getting really upset tonight. Baby is moving perfectly so I don't know why I'm getting myself so worked up. Think I just need a hand hold and possibly told to get a grip! Anyone else been through this??

[Squaffle]

Aww big hugs and hand hold for you. Really glad you're being seen tomorrow; possible small baby + headaches + swelling + high blood pressure could be signs of pre eclampsia. Or could just be part of the joys of pregnancy! (My feet were so swollen you could see them from space...)

I had extra scans with DD as they thought her abdomen was measuring small but she eventually arrived at 41+1, 8lb 3oz!

Good luck tomorrow, let us know how you get on? Hope you manage to sleep a bit tonight, try not to worry xx

[AGruffaloCrumble]

I had an IUGR baby at 39+4 (induced) weighing 5lb 15oz and she is now 3 and thriving. I would also think maybe pre-eclampsia for you. I just wanted to try and reassure you that small can mean perfectly healthy still. They expected DD to go to SCBU but she was absolutely fine.

[EvansAndThePrince]

What was your booking diastolic? You sound exactly the same as me and I wasn't taken seriously until the VERY last minute because my diastolic at booming was only 60 so as soon as it hit 75 I was in the danger zone but it was in the high 90's and still told I wasn't preeclamptic. We only just made it.

[ohidoliketobe]

Hi. I'm 34+4 and in a similar situation. I've suffered with sickness throughout this pregnancy and I actually weigh less now than when I had my booking appointment.
I've been monitored for growth since 28 weeks when I measured 25 at my usual midwife appointment. I have fortnightly measurement scans (measure femur, head and torso) and every other week I have amniotic fluid measured and placenta listened to with doppler. Then I go through to the day unit and have fetal monitoring for about 45 mins.

So far, baby has dropped down from 30th to 10th percentiles. Still growing but at a slower rate than would be expected. Plenty of movement and blood flow through placenta and baby's heartbeat at monitoring have so far been at good levels. I have another growth scan when I'll be 34+6 and next steps will depend on result. If my baby remains on 10th or shows an improvement on the percentile no further action at this point bit will conti ue with the cycle of monitoring. However if the measurements show a drop below 10th or there is any issue with heart rate or placenta there will be a conversation with my consultant over the pros and cons of ELCS / induction against a premature baby.

I do know my hospital are taking part in a study where they are closely monitoring growth issues so this may be over and above the route your hospital take.

[ohidoliketobe]

Also for what it's worth, my SIL had her twins via ELCS at 33 weeks due to pre eclampsia. They were a good weight for twins at that stage - 3.5 lb each - and we're absolutely fine. It sounds like you're big looked after either way. Good luck.

[CostaAddict]

Previously diastolic has sat between 60-82, although only around 82 when I had a UTI.

Only the last few appointments (in last 2 weeks) has my diastolic went above 90. Our local guidelines are diastolic has to be above 100 before they will diagnose pre eclampsia or PIH. Maybe it will be explained more tomorrow.

Just a shock as always measured 3 weeks ahead and now measuring 5 weeks behind think I'm a tad Hormonal too as just had a really good cry!

If I wasn't feeling too rotten then I'd be less worried. But I've had hyperemesis, now SPD and possible pre eclampsia. I'm glad I'm getting weekly checks now as I'm a bit worried about baby. Prob being irrational but thank you all for your support. Means the world.

DH is wonderful but annoyingly keeps saying all is fine! I'm sure it is fine but sometimes I wish he'd let me have a rant.

[Huesofblue]

Hi Costa,

I'm measuring 6 weeks behind due to hyperemesis throughout my entire pregnancy. Been in hospital for the last month being fed through a tube in my nose and am vomitting 50 times a day. Baby still fine although I'll be having a section on Thursday at 34+2 depending on the availability of a special care cot. I weigh less than before I was pregnant, extremely low potassium which is affecting my heart and am taking over a dozen different medications due to the hyperemesis. My previous scars (2 sections and 2 huge laparotomies due to ectopics) are also showing signs of causing problems and the pain is immense.

Even with all of this going on, baby is still absolutely fine! Ok, so he's on the 21st centile and is going to be a small one but my Consultant isn't expecting there to be any difficulty when he's born other than feeding as the suck reflex may not have developed yet. These little ones are the perfect parasites! Please try not to worry

[CostaAddict]

Hi Blue

Just wanted to wish you well. Sounds like you've had a really trying pregnancy. Lots of luck & love for when baby finally comes.

And you're right. They are perfect little parasites

I hate saying this but my 1st pregnancy was an absolute breeze I swore I would do it a million times over. This time has made me
Send DH for the snip! Jokes

Thank you so much for messaging. I've had a good cry, a good hug and finally getting some sleep. Will update you all tomorrow x

[CostaAddict]

Hi Blue

Just wanted to wish you well. Sounds like you've had a really trying pregnancy. Lots of luck & love for when baby finally comes.

And you're right. They are perfect little parasites

I hate saying this but my 1st pregnancy was an absolute breeze I swore I would do it a million times over. This time has made me
Send DH for the snip! Jokes

Thank you so much for messaging. I've had a good cry, a good hug and finally getting some sleep. Will update you all tomorrow x

[Huesofblue]

Thanks Costa! All of my pregnancies have been exceptionally dramatic, for very different reasons, so I wasn't expecting an easy ride...although this has been very trying.

Definitely the last for me as my Consultant counts my previous two laparotomies as sections as she had to open the uterus both times, so with my previous two actual sections and this third one imminently, she isn't recommending a sixth! My one remaining fallopian tube is going to be cut during the next section.

Sometimes, crying is the only thing that helps. I hope you have a restful sleep tonight, wake up refreshed and feel a bit better come the morning.

[CostaAddict]

Hi all just a quick update

Growth scan went amazingly well. Baby (boy) is on the 50th centile and no concerns re his growth. I was so relieved! My fluid volumes have went down slightly but are the the low end of normal for this stage. I'll prob have another scan at 37 weeks to make sure the volumes are sufficient for that stage.

My BP is very temperamental at one stage it reached 167/107 and I had awful sickness.. Cue IM injections and lots of pills. I've now to go 2x weekly to my local hospital for a medical review until baby is delivered. Likelihood is I won't go to full term. I couldn't fault any of the team yday. All HCP were wonderful and really reassuring

Now on the countdown till he's here!

[AGruffaloCrumble]

Have they got you on a beta blocker? I was on Labetelol from 27 weeks and it worked brilliantly. So glad to hear you had good news with the growth scan!

[EvansAndThePrince]

Please force them to take you seriously regarding PE. With a low start off diastolic if it's ever hitting 90 that's not good. I was hospitalised at that point and was on labeltalol. It gets very dangerous very quickly and if we hadn't been already in hospital we wouldn't have made it thorough.

[CostaAddict]

They decided to wait till Monday before deciding treatment for BP. I have community midwife on Monday afternoon. I think because my BP is fluctuating they don't want to start me on drugs if it isn't necessary. But if I'm still symptomatic by Monday then it'll prob be a definite.

I have a persistent headache and nausea. The nausea is new but one midwife yday suggested my hyperemesis is coming back desperately hope not as I suffered for 19 weeks and it was awful

The reg who seen me was brill as did suggest keeping me in hospital but as I already have an app on Monday with my midwife she was happy to let me out over the weekend. Have got strict instructions to go back if I get worse at any point.

I'm trying to keep calm and bedrest as much as poss to avoid going in but the headache & pain in my stomach/band around my chest is getting worse.

[EvansAndThePrince]

Please get seem tonight, headache and pain similar to heartburn are also preeclamptic signs. Please get seen.

[AGruffaloCrumble]

Yes, agree. Go and get seen now. Better safe than sorry.

[CelticPromise]

I also agree you must be seen asap. Am a student mw and my team would want to see you.

[CostaAddict]

I've had a long bath, paracetamol and shitloads of heartburn tablets. The pain around my chest (almost like a rubber band) is easing. This was the same as when I was in the hospital. I wouldn't say it's more severe just the episodes of pain are increasing.

Only thing bothering me is the headache. That I can't shift! I've turned off all lights/tv etc and poor DH is getting the silent treatment. Just feeling a bit miserable.

This is the same symptoms I was having yday and now I think about it all week. Do you think I do need seen? Sorry for sounding pathetic but baby is moving and doing his usual bedtime gymnastic session. I just wish I could cure the headache

[AGruffaloCrumble]

Yes! Definitely go.

[CelticPromise]

How are you today op?

[CostaAddict]

I'm feeling a bit better today. SPD is killing me so trying to limit how much cleaning I do!

Have spent the morning in bed with the curtains/blinds shut. headache is still there despite the paracetamol. Luckily the swelling isn't as bad and the epigastric pain is still coming and going although not as bad as last night.

I didn't go in but did phone the labour triage. They said my symptoms were pretty much the same as when I was in day assessment and it would prob mean a long wait and monitoring before they'd send me home and I'd prob be happier and more comfortable in my own bed! So I popped more paracetamol and tried to sleep. Tossed and turned all night but I did manage some sleep.

Roll on Monday and I'll see my community midwife who is bloody brill

[CelticPromise]

Glad you are feeling better. Don't hesitate to call again if you feel worse or have reduced movements. Around these parts they would send a community mw to check your BP maybe every other day. If you've an on call mw that might save a trip. Best wishes to you.

[CostaAddict]

Just wanted to post a quick update..

Ended up in hospital all last night with severe stomach cramps and vomiting. Lucky me I have viral gastroenteritis. Baby is still doing very nicely and his HR was perfect. His gymnastic sessions were lovely too however not much appreciated (managing to keep a sense of humour although this could be the dihydrocodeine)

Got home at 7.30am after being drugged up and rehydrated and on strict bedrest orders

It's just never ending!

[CelticPromise]

Ah bless you Costa. Hope you are on the home stretch now and things go more smoothly for you.