Induced because baby is small?

[Blueberry87]

I went into hospital today for a growth scan expecting to go in and told everything was OK and that my bump was small as my babies head was engaged and he had dropped. I was actually told that I would be induced TOMORROW as my baby was small, I am 39+4 and my baby is just below the 10th centile on the growth chart - I was in shock as I was expecting to just be told everything is fine and to go home so instead of asking any questions I just cried.

Has anyone else been induced for this reason, should I be worried or am I just panicking for no reason?

Oh no! What a shock, that must be awful.

Try not to worry too much. I have heard that these growth scans are not very accurate, and 39+4 is pretty far along to be induced, so nothing to overly worry about. I expect they are erring on the side of caution. You'll get to meet your baby in the next few days :) Exciting!

This happened to me although I gave birth in the US, so not nhs. They wanted to induce me immediately, and I managed to ask for more monitoring, then signed myself out of hospital to go home and collect my stuff, calm down etc. In the end I went back in late that evening and was given pessary overnight which kick started everything. DD was born 12 hrs after pessary went in, with no further induction (can't remember the name of the stuff). We had a doula who thought that DD would probably have been born that day anyway, without pessary, DD was perfectly respectable 6lb 3oz.

The worst feeling for me was the shock and the sudden lack of control, and I had thought labour would start on its own and was upset that didn't happen. Try not to worry, and try to make sure you are given time to calm down, go home, have something to eat, make sure you have everything you wanted etc, to give yourself more of a feeling of control.

I don't think the growth scans are something to worry about, if they are waiting until tomorrow to induce you. As PP said, the scans are not always particularly accurate. Also, you and baby are now being monitored and hence in the best place. You are basically full term. Try to relax and be excited that you will meet your baby soon. Best of luck

Sorry to hear this, you must be in shock.

I'm 36 + 5 and currently being monitored due to baby being on 10th centile. The likelihood is I will be induced around 37 / 38 weeks. As a PP said, they like to be cautious in these circumstances.

FWIW I was induced with my first DC as he was overdue. It was fine and relatively quick (25 hours from first pessary to him arriving). My advice is to keep as mobile as possible (walk laps of the hospital if you can). It should speed things up for you.

Best of luck, you'll soon be meeting your baby.

This happened to me with DD1 (my second). It isn't so much the small size that causes concern, it's more likely the fact that growth seems to be tailing off, which can sometimes point to placental insufficiency, or similar. The baby needs to be out sooner rather than later.

In my case, unfortunately the induction didn't work too well, and I ended up with an emergency CS; DD1 turned out to be absolutely fine, although it was a bit stressful at the time. But there's no reason to believe this will happen to you. You are being monitored closely, so try not to worry, and you'll be seeing your baby soon.

I had a very similar situation but ther had been no growth between 35 weeks and 39 +3. the way it was explained to me was that a lack of growth may indicate the placenta starting to deteriorate a bit faster than usual and as the baby was full term then it was better to,have him out than in.
My ds was 5lbs 9 and did have to spend a few days in scbu because he had some trouble maintaining his blood sugar levels but the nurses were really supportive and helped me get breastfeeding established and we never looked back. He rapidly started climbing the centiles and now at 7 is on the 75th for height.
Like a previous poster I only needed one pessaryto kick start things and he was born 12 hrs later.

I know it's scary and not what you planned but I'm sure all will be well and you will be cuddling your newborn before you know it.

I had an ELCS at 37+5, due to slow growth. It was a bit of a shock to have a couple of weeks less prep time than we expected, but I was so glad my consultant was on the ball and ready to protect my DD. She was only 5lb 10oz when born, but had an apgar of 9, and very quickly gained weight up to 25 centile, where she has stayed ever since.

I totally get the feeling of shock, but it will soon pass and you will have your lovely baby in your arms.

Good luck with the induction!