Baby was "too big", now he's " too small". Confused?

[MinisterforCheekyFuckery]

I'm 28 weeks with DC2 and, to cut a long story short, DC1 was born small (despite being a week late) and required SCBU for a few days as a result but was then fine. Consequently, I was told I would be high risk and consultant led for this pregnancy as I would likely have another baby who was "on the small side".

I was therefore very surprised to be told by the Consultant after a Growth Scan 3 weeks ago that DC2 was actually "too big". I was tested for GD which was negative. Have spent the last three weeks very anxious about the prospect of birthing a massive baby!

I had another growth scan yesterday and they've now done a complete U-turn again, saying they're now worried about baby being small again. The consultant said his growth has "dropped off" so they need to scan me again in 2 weeks and if they're not happy it'll be steroid injections and going into hospital for weekly monitoring.
He then asked me a lot of questions about baby's movements and stressed repeatedly that I must go and get checked immediately if I feel there has been a change. I mentioned I was going on holiday (within the UK next week) and he looked a bit worried and suggested I look up the nearest hospital to where we're staying "just in case" and again stressed I must go and get checked if movements change at all.

I know it's good that they're thorough and giving this advice but it was a bit unsettling as he kept mentioning it, almost as if he's anticipating a problem. I also made the mistake of googling steroid injections and lots of stuff came up about premature babies needing long SCBU stays etc but the consultant didn't say anything about inducing me early or risk of early labour or anything like that.

I don't know what to think at this point. Anyone been through similar with conflicting information at different scans/appointments?

I think the problem is, they worry about the placenta doing its job right. And if you feel reduced movements they will 100% want a trace for baby. If all is fine then it's not issue.

I had reduced movements 3 times and they booked me in for a scan including Doppler to check placentas performance. If you're at your local hospital then it would be easier for midwives, consultants sonographers to communicate etc..
I think that might be why he's concerned if you go away and you need some kind of intervention, that you'll be under a different hospital or unit that don't have your full picture.

How long are you going away for? X

I'm away for a week. I wish I wasn't going now but if I cancel it would be letting several family members down (I'm driving) and it might all be fine. Also DD would be so disappointed as she's really been looking forward to it. Obviously if the consultant had explicitly said he thought it was a bad idea i would cancel though.

I wouldn't cancel but I would pay heed to what he's said. Just be aware of local hospitals etc and keep an eye on baby's movements. I'm sure everything will be fine. Try not to worry too much and I hope your little one has a growth spurt soon so you can stop worrying x

Thank you. Have looked up details of local hospital. Will just have to try not dwell on it too much over the holiday. I'm a worrier anyway so it's hard.

Sounds like the issue is more the rate of growth rather than the size of baby? Sounds like he was measuring large at the 25 week scan and now hasn’t growth at the rate they expected him to so they are concerned about the function of the placenta. Keep an eye on movements but don’t stress too much. Often they even out by the next scan anyway.

They thought my third baby was small for dates two weeks before the birth and I had to see a consultant. He was born weighing 9lbs 10.... From what I've read growth scans are notoriously wrong.

I don't mean to minimise what's happening, just bear in mind that they are probably just being very thorough and not to worry too much.