Being kept in after Doppler scan ... any experiences ?! Struggling to sleep!

[Yelsgirl]

So I come weekly for scans due to baby being under the 5th percentile. One week Doppler/ cord next week growth.
Today was Doppler- the sonographer asked me about movements as she wasn’t picking up baby moving in scan, she said she noticed a very small movement. I said she has been quiet but she isn’t an overly active baby.
She sent to triage for monitoring, on the monitor for an hour and very few movements picked up.
So doctor came and they admitted me - would happen the day I have absolutely nothing with me.
She told me I’d get a steroid injection tonight and one tomrorow. Also that I’d be monitored tonight and then tomorrow and see how things go from there.

Any experiences of this ?!
I’ve had the steroid ( owwww) but I havnt been monitored again - im presuming they wouldn’t do it this late ?! But I’ve no idea
I’m only 34 weeks so pretty scared !

Sorry you're going through this worry, they should monitor you again surely, when people go in for reduced movements it's at random times, so it shouldn't matter that it's late at night. Is there a midwife you can speak to about any concerns you have?

I'd ask to speak with a midwife and get them to explain. They're probably trying not to worry you unnecessarily but it's having the opposite effect! Good luck xx

I had a similar situation however went in for reduced movements at 32 weeks and then it was picked up on the Doppler and growth scan at 34 weeks that baby had stopped growing. I was in hospital from prettt much 32 weeks, 4 hourly monitoring (which sometimes went on for a long time as baby hadn’t been meeting criteria). It was 4 hourly 24 hours a day so I wouldn’t be surprised if they woke you to monitor you. If I were you I’d be asking what the plan is!

For us baby was delivered at 34 weeks, we spent 12 days in hospital with her, but she is a happy, healthy (all be it small) 20 week old 😍

If you want any more info about our experience feel free to ask!

Best of luck OP

Thanks ladies ... I drifted off and of course .. got woken for monitoring !

All hooked up now. Then they said more monitoring in morning and then more steroids Tomrorow !

@thetimehascometo do you mind if I asked what weight little one was? Time on NICU/SCBU? Just worried cause 34 weeks sounds very early to me but I know in the grand scheme of things baby should be okay!

She was in NICU for about 48 hours and then we got moved on to a transitional ward (she was still on a drip and had a feeding tube) her main issues were learning to feed, jaundice and controlling her body temp. She managed to breathe without help from the off!

We were really lucky that our hospital has a neonatal outreach team so we probably got out of hospital sooner than we would’ve otherwise as they came out to check on DD and do the bloods for jaundice and check her weight.

She was only 4lb. Tiny baby and size 0 nappies drowned her. She looked so fragile but we haven’t broken her! Little preemies are a lot more robust than you think!

Just a thought- if they do suggest delivering I suggest you discuss a csection as the way forward. I know of 3 people (myself included) who had to deliver early and were coerced into an induction that failed and ended in an emergency csection. But obviously listen to the opinions of the professionals.

I delivered at 34 + 1 and I had been monitored several times due to reduced movement. I actually went into spontaneous labour then spent 3 weeks with my baby in the NNU.

My second was induced at 37 weeks due to reduced movements and measuring large. Happy to pm any questions but you being there means you’re as ready as possible for the next stages.

I had badly reduced movements at 35 weeks, minimal movements on a scan, admitted and kept in for 48 hours for (lots of) monitoring. And the rather oww-y steroid injections. My consultant did another scan and Dopplers after 24 hours as well to check. In my case after rather a lot of IV fluids and 48 hours of monitoring they were happy everything had picked up and baby was ok. But had to have extra monitoring going forward. In the event I Had a couple of further reduced movement episodes leading to a c section at 38 weeks (with a big bouncy 50th centile baby). Good luck

Thankyou so much for the replies !! All experiences and help is so appreciated.
I’m still on the monitor been told ‘ it’s abit of a funny trace’ and midwife has gone to get someone to come look at it.

Since when were men allowed to stay on maternity wards ?!
Men are all in the bays snoring and I hate the fact I have to walk past them to go to the bathroom! I want to be able to be comfy in no bra etc but feel abit conscious. Unsure if it’s just me being jealous that I have no partner ... but I just don’t see the need of them on the antenatal ward

How are you getting on OP? Ask them to clarify what they mean when looking at the trace, you want all of the info for when a decision needs to be made.

Very odd men are allowed overnight, I even had a private room and DH got kicked out at 10 on antenatal! Was slightly different when we ended up in a private room on postnatal. Hope you've got some support to rely on, i know it can be tough, but you are in the best place.

@thetimehascometo well I think I’ve given up on sleep! The midwife returned and said ‘ she said it’s okay we can take you off’ they have popped a sticker in my notes I’m guessing detailing the trace so I’m going to ask someone tomorrow what it means

I just feel abit uncomfortable being here on my own but at least next time I’m in I’ll have my baby by my side !
I’m saying next time because I am not ready for her just yet she needs to stay put !

No idea if the picture will post but this is the sticker ? I have no idea!

When I was kept in who was allowed on the ward depended on which “type” the ward was classed as. DH didn’t stay any of the antenatal times, it wasn’t necessary imo and it was more important for him to look after our toddler st home.

The time I was in for the very badly reduced movements I was kept in the birthing centre in a small observation bay of four beds that they considered high risk/high dependency. Patients only (so absolutely no partners and no visitors). Another time I was on the combined ante/post natal ward - visitors in visiting hours, partners allowed overnight. That sucked. Woman opposite me had a very squeaky newborn and a waste of space of a snoring partner who appeared to be doing naff all to help. I felt extremely sorry for her tbh. Women next to me was waiting for a c section the first night (there alone) then had the c section in the morning and (either bravely or naively) what felt like every member of her extended family visit in the afternoon, followed by her panicky partner (asking every single time the baby sniffed whether it was ok/that was normal) staying overnight.

When I went in to have baby I paid for a private room (as I had with DC2). Best thing ever. My hospital prioritised private rooms for postnatal so I hadn’t been able to have one antenatal but could be worth asking?

On the sticker I am not a medical professional at all but when I had ctg traces done they always put stickers similar to those as a “summary” usually at the end of a trace. Left hand column was “reassuring” signs, right hand column “non reassuring” signs. They wanted lot so of the first and not too many (ideally none) of the second.

Good luck.

It sounds like they are preparing to get your baby out. Mine was delivered at 34 weeks due to problems with blood flow through the placenta. She was tiny (3lb6) and in nicu for 3 weeks but is now 4 and doing fine. It's a stressful time but it sounds like they are keeping a close eye on you, which is good.

My lo was 29 weeks when he was born. We only had time for 1 sterroid injection before he arrived so it's good that you'll get both. 34 sounds super early but honestly it's not bad at all; nicu are used to dealing with 24 weekers. We had 7 weeks in hospital and brain surgery, you'll likely have a week maybe and be home with baby before you know it. I know it's scary but you're in the best possible hands; these folk know exactly what they are doing and will only get baby out if it's safer than leaving them in.

Thank you for the replies!! Fingers crossed I’ll know more today but it is good she will have both lots of steroids regardless. Just a very lonely place to spend nights ! Xx

How are you getting on now op? Xx

The sticker says your trace is good, no worrying features. They will try to keep the baby inside as long as possible but they give you steroids just in case they need to deliver you early. Fingers crossed everything stays good for you and baby, but as others have said delivery at 34 weeks is associated with very good outcomes for babies.

So... im still here !
I had a CTG this morning followed by a visit from doctors. They decided to keep me in again as wasn’t much movement on this mornings trace, and wanted urine sample/ bloods etc. And my next steroid was only due at 5.15 anyway.

I’ve had steroid now, dip test urine showed traces of everything !! So they’ve started me on antibiotics and sent my sample off.

So plan was have another CTG tonight guessing this will be after handover- then another CTG in morning followed by visit from doctors. I think plan is if they r happy with traces I’ll leave but back twice a week for monitoring
I don’t want to think about what happens if they’re not happy!

Staff on th ward hav been AMAZING. They have got me my own room- I think cause they feel bad I’ve been here on my own so long and 3 women got brought into my bay for induction so they wanted me to have a chance of some sleep! They’re so lovely and reassuring

Hope all goes well OP. I had different situation but DS was born at 33+6. Two days in NICU, then two weeks on postnatal ward with me.

We were pretty lucky all things considered - he was 5lbs, and apart from a tendency to get chesty when he has a cold etc he’s not had too many problems associated with prematurity.

You’re in good hands I’m sure so try not to worry too much (difficult, I know). Glad you have a private room!

I had my son at 36w three weeks ago due to issues with the umbilical cord; I went into hospital two days before for the steroids. We were lucky to get to 36w and it was likely that he would have to come out at 32w.
The steroids can make the baby very sleepy. My son barely moved between the first injection and birth but everything was fine.
He was in perfect health and weighed 6lb. He’s been a little slow to gain weight due to being a bit early but he’s getting there now.
I was born at 34 w myself and had zero side effects so my goal the whole time was to get that far.
I was on a ward with women having their babies at 23, 24 and 26 w, so 34 w is a good place to be.

You sound very calm!
For what it's worth OP, a baby at 34 weeks has an excellent prognosis.

Hang in there.

How are you getting on Op?

Hey how are things? Xx

Hi ladies ! I finally got discharged! We have to go back twice a week for CTGs and also I have a weekly scan.
I think the plan is currently to get me to 37 weeks which would be great
Fingers crossed for a smooth week of scans and CTGs otherwise I think I am in the position now I’ve had the steroids where they will decide she’s coming out! X