Induced for small baby

[ttbren]

I'm being induced at 37 weeks due to my baby measuring below the tenth and his growth tailing off. At 33 weeks he was estimated to be 4lbs, at 35 weeks he was estimated to be 4lbs8oz so it seems like if the scans are accurate he will be 5lbs ish, maybe a bit more or less (I know there's margin for error and they aren't always accurate).

My consultant is always in a rush and fairly dismissive and I feel completely kept in the dark. Has anyone else experienced induction for a small baby? What does this mean for my baby? Will he need special care? The fluid levels and blood flow are both normal and he otherwise seems healthy.

Thank you

Following !
When did they decide to induce you at 37 weeks?
Also If you remember what did baby weigh at 32 weeks?

I’m in a similar position except I’m having an elcs. They said they’ll do it at 37 weeks if Baby is still under the 5th percentile.

Wishing you lots of luck

Hi girls. They discovered my baby wasn't growing at a 35 week ultrasound. They then sent me for two more ultrasounds and twice weekly NST and the baby went from the 7th percentile to the 3rd so I was induced at 38 + 4 for this reason and high blood pressure. The induction started in the evening with cervidil and went the checker on me in the morning I hadn't dilated at all so they were going to administer pitocin at 7:30 am (they checked my cervix at 5am, 12 hours after the cervidil). When the nurse came to get me hooked up to the pitocin drip they realized the baby's heart rate dropped so next thing you know the room was filled with doctors and nurses and I was on all fours moving around trying to "wake up" the baby. They then rolled me off for an emergency c section and 20 min later my beautiful, healthy baby girl was born! That was 17 months ago today. She weighed 5lb 15oz. She ended up dropping to 5lb 5oz and even though her blood sugar levels were fine at birth those dropped too. I think it had to do with my milk not coming in and trouble breastfeeding. I was given some donated breast milk and on day 4 I pumped my own and we were able to go home on day 5. She hasn't had any problems with development or hitting milestones. She was quite small but around 4 months she started to bulk up and then at 10 months (after her reflux went away) she really put on weight. She weighed 20lbs when she turned 1! I know it all can be very stressful but the doctors are aware and even though at the time I thought I wanted to wait it out the doctors knew what was best for the baby. They did send my placenta off for testing. It was really small and knotted, they came back saying I had placenta insufficiency. I'm having baby no. 2 on Wednesday (!!!) and had loads of special care from 20 weeks and no problems with growth this time around. Best of luck to you both!!!

Yelsgirl I wasn't scanned at 32 weeks. The doctor told me at 33 weeks that his growth was tailing off and that they'd scan me again in two weeks and if his growth was still tailing off then they would induce me at 37 weeks. So they decided at 35 weeks that they would induce me.

I hope everything is okay with your little one!!!

I was induced at exactly 37 weeks for small growth under 10th centile.

Had pessary at 11am then again at 8pm and they broke my waters at 10am the following day, my DD was born 4 hours later weighing 5lb7oz and perfectly healthy.

We had to stay in for 4 days after as she was struggling to feed but she's now a wild 2 year old who is still under 10th centile but eats like a horse.

Antix thank you so much for responding. I'm glad to hear your little girl is ok and good luck for Wednesday!!!!

I had regular growth scans throughout my last pregnancy due to my other dc all being small babies. Baby measured small from 28 weeks, but at 32 & 36 weeks still small but growing albeit not a lot. Estimated weight at 36 weeks was 4lb10oz , cord and heart rate fine, consultant and midwife not concerned. I then received a phone call at 37 weeks informing me that my GTT test was now positive for gestational diabetes and to get to hospital clinic. I went at exactly 38 weeks, midwife measuring bump was concerned with size, did Doppler, not happy sent for immediate scan, all seemed ok but baby was tiny and didn't appear to have grown. I was admitted for immediate induction, but due to it being so busy I had to be continually monitored whilst having two attempts with pessary. I then had syntocin drip, and baby was born 30minutes later weighing 4lb 8oz. She was very lethargic and had jaundice so admitted to neonatal for a week for feeding and light therapy. She is now 14months, still tiny and eats.like a horse, especially cheese! Good Luck and get some tiny baby clothes!