Growth and doppler scans for small baby

[spydie]

36+3 with DC2 and have low papp-a, and have been having growth scans since 28 weeks.

Since 32 weeks I've been having them bi-weekly as baby is showing on the small side. I've also had quite a few episodes of really reduced movements.

At my 32 week scan, the umbilical artery doppler was very high and right at the top of the normal range (hence consultant switching to bi-weekly scans). Next scan and an additional doppler following another episode of reduced movements showed it was back in the middle of normal range.

Growth scan at 36 weeks shows baby has dropped quite a few centiles and abdominal circumference has not changed in 2 weeks. The umbilical artery reading was at the 95th centile which they explained was very high and it should be the opposite end. I'm having 2 further dopplers this week and seeing consultant again, with talk of an emcs if things are not reassuring. Today's doppler showed the reading was back in the middle again and fluid levels normal (they have always been normal) which I'm relieved about I have to say.

But, has anyone else experienced this with their readings being all over the place? Obviously they are still keeping an eye on growth which is a different issue, and I've been advised to keep a very close eye on movements too. But with the discussion around the blood flow through the cord and the up and down nature of my readings, I find myself torn between worrying one minute and being rather blase the next!

Mine was consistently high and I ended up with a section at 34 weeks and a very small (but otherwise healthy) baby.

I’ve been going through the exact same for 4 weeks, slow growth and high Doppler 2 weeks in a row with talk from doctors about inducing early and lung steroids went this week (33w)prepared to be taken to be told I wouldn’t be taken until 37 weeks regardless except in complete emergency, was so cross with doctor and told him I’ve been worried sick for a week for nothing through complete lack of communication! Am perfectly happy in pregnancy until each bloody app at hospital where they’ve just made me worry about everything under the sun! Ur near the end so good to go no matter what the charts says, try and relax and take what they say with a pinch of salt x

@beatbox01 sorry to hear you're going through it too. It plays havoc with your mind!!

You are right though, as I'm 37 weeks in a few days I'm not worrying so much about early delivery, which is good. How much longer do you have?
I find that it's now more the whole 'is baby ok' in between all these scans and appointments.

I had this and growth had stopped at 34 weeks along with reduced movements and unreassuring ctgs- baby was whipped out that day!

If I were you I’d get to 37 weeks if it is safe to do so and get the baby out- at that point I’d have thought better out than in!

Yes I had the same due to low Papp A. Placenta started failing. Severe reduce movements etc. Growth very very slow. I had an emcs as she suddenly started moving a lot. They didn’t trust her as she was very small so couldn’t decide to keep her in longer. She was born very small but perfect. She’s 10 weeks now and oh so beautiful with all her cheeks out. She’s gorgeous. She was like an old man when she came out lol. Funnily enough my son was the same but no low Papp A with him.
All I will say is don’t worry. I know it’s hard not to. But really you are in good hands and they will look after you and your babe.

I’ve 6 + 4 days left, for sure the in between scans is the most worrying, I’ve to wait til next fri now for next check as the consultants off on holidays so almost 2 weeks in between as apposed to weekly x

Yesterday's doppler showed a much higher resistance, above the 95% along with slight reduction in the flow. Along with more reduced movements they kept me in overnight. Had another scan this morning which was even worse, so first lot of steroids given (ouch) and second lot plus section tomorrow. Feeling a bit anxious/overwhelmed/not sure what to expect!!

Aw good luck for tomorrow x try and rest as much as ya can in a hospital x just think new baba will be here this time tomorrow hopefully x check back in and let me know how ya get on when ur fighting fit x

Are you having the 12 hours apart steroids or the 24 hours one? Just a heads up that if you have increased movements or any change of movement whatsoever call for the midwife ASAP. Don’t wait. Don’t assume. Also baby might even come tonight so ask your birth partner to be ready for your call at anytime. I don’t want to panic you but I had a similar situation and my dc didn’t tolerate the steroids very well and went into distress so had an emcs instead. Good luck and enjoy the baby cuddles very soon! Don’t forget to take the baby’s hat when you go into theatre!

@singsongal having the 24 hour apart ones. I've just been put on the trace, baby hasn't moved for hours and then went crazy for 5 mins or so and set the alarms off with a high heart rate. This has happened a few times over the last couple of days, been really quiet with a couple of random crazy painful movement episodes. Woke me up this morning at 3.30am going crazy and then has barely moved all day until this episode. Gut feeling is I don't think she's too happy in there I buzzed midwife when alarms started going off. Just want to cry.

No don’t cry. You are in the best place right now. Just keep buzzing for the nurses anytime there’s an increased in movement. It can be a sign of distress combined with the steroid running through you. How long have you been on the ctg machine? They will try and establish a baseline for the baby’s heart and if anything suspicious happens ( eg erratic heart rate, slow, rapid etc. ) they won’t hesitate to wheele you out immediately to the theatre to bring the baby out. When the baby is small, they don’t let them stay too long inside for the first sign of trouble. Honestly don’t worry, baby will be here soon. Hope your partner is on standby to be there ASAP. Hugs to you. I understand how frightening it is.

Was on ctg for half hour or so, heart rate settled and then it met the criteria after a while.

Feeling super frustrated really, the baby has virtually stopped moving, she's laid in one spot and won't budge. And then as mentioned these weird crazy spells which are far more erratic movements than ever, like her whole body is thrashing around, head as well. I'm pretty small and can easily tell where baby is, shes been the most active thing all along, husband could feel her kicking away at 17 weeks, and her rotine would be cyclical throughout the day without fail, sleep, move very actively for a good 20mins up to an hour (although nothing like the thrashing), sleep, repeat. And now this. But, I keep telling them, and the ctg's are always passing the criteria.

I've been bumped from today due to some emergencies and no one had let neonatal know there may be a baby needing a bed, they only have one space and if a more urgent case comes in, my baby would be transferred to a different hospital (but she might not even need extra care). Saw a horrible consultant earlier who said as there was no redistribution of blood flow in the brain at this point, all my doppler results are therefore normal and the growth drop is just a small baby. Not what I have been told by 4 other drs/consultants in the last 48 hours. And he said if whoever wanted to book me in wanted to come and do it themselves they could. I get the staffing, bed and emergency issues, and was totally ok and said I understand, but just totally made to feel like I'm wasting their time by this consultant.

He said they would keep me in as I'm a 40min drive away and try and squeeze me in on Monday or Tuesday. Feeling utterly deflated and fed up right now I know I'm in the right place should anything though which is the only positive I'm feeling right now!