IUGR linked to my heart defect ?

[LaurenH0893]

Has anyone got a heart defect and been told their baby has stopped growing ?
I have a VSD from birth - now very small but under consultant. Bump measured small at 34+2 so had a growth scan at 34+4. Baby is small but all okay at that point.
Consultant appointment yesterday 37+2 and bump measured again and shows no growth for 3 weeks (since last scan) & has dropped below the 10th centile line.
Another growth scan booked for Friday.
Could my VSD be linked ? 😳

I don't have any known heart defects. I've had static growth. Basically between 35 and 39 weeks (scans show she's grown about less than pound in that time) and my bump isn't bigger.

My understanding is that it happens. The blood flow through the cord has been good for my girl. Have they measured the flow??

It might be linked, it might not. Not sure how it could be proven?

Also bump measurements are very erratic- it might be a different picture from the scan.

Try not to worry, its a very late stage in the pregnancy and if they were seriously concerned they would be scanning immediately, not waiting til Friday. Prepare yourself for action on Friday if they are concerned then though, they may want to induce you. I'm sure it will all be fine.

I have a heart condition and my first baby stopped growing between about 34 and 37 weeks when she was born healthy but small. My second baby was small but grew consistently. I am sure my cardiologist said heart patients have small babies. Hope all goes well.

At my 34+4 growth scan they said she is on the small side but still within the lines on my chart & okay in comparison to my bump.
I've definitely don't feel like I've grown since then.
Bump is measuring exactly the same now 37+2 so 3 weeks and no growth.
They were going to wait until next week to growth scan again but pushed it through to a cancellation on Friday.
Can blood flow be linked ?
Shall I be prepared to be induced ?

@CoperCabana sound the same as me, We're you induced ?

If actual growth measurements on scan show no increase then yes, at 37+ weeks they will almost certainly induce you straightaway.

This is my graph / chart.
Bump measurement at 34+1 was very accurate to scan measurements, so thinking this time will be the same too 😐

Chart

@CountessVonBoobs Thank you. I know I am "term" now so she should be okay 🤞🏼 but I just want to be prepared if it is highly likely they will induce me.

Apparently bump measurements are very dependent on who takes them- so if different people measure each time it is much less reliable as a measure. In case that is at all reassuring!
Are you off work yet? If not it sounds worth doing some handover notes today!

@DustyDoorframes Normally my midwife measures me but yesterday it was my consultant (so was some different) as she wanted to check all was okay as my growth scan was on the 14th Feb & I hadn't been measured since.
I'm off work now, so sorting things out at home ... may pop & get some smaller baby clothes just incase !

Hi,
I’ve not heard of maternal heart conditions as a risk factor for IUGR. The Perinatal Institute - the research team that created that growth chart and the training for monitoring growth by fundal height (bump measurements) do not highlight this as a significant risk factor or list heart conditions as an indication for serial growth scans. But there may be some more research I’m not aware of that hasn’t yet made it’s way into clinical practice. Yes I’d expect to be induced if her scan remains under the 10th centile (the bottom line).
Also be super vigilant with fetal movements - any changes then please call your triage or assessment unit x

@PrincessPee Thank you !!
I was just concerned about blood flow, I do suffer with crap circulation in my hands & feet.

Hopefully baby doesn't have the same as me.
Okay so if her scan measurements on Friday are under the line too they will induce me ?
Best get prepared !!
Trying not to be too paranoid with movements, overthinking things if she hasn't moved in a while 😫

I think that would be likely yes x
Please don’t panic or overthink but do call just to be on the safe side.
Enjoy your last few days of pregnancy and take your bump pics etc.
Best of luck xx

@PrincessPee
Thanks again 😊 Crazy to think we could have a baby by the end of the weekend 😳.
Might take a trip to mothercare & grab some last things !
Thank you ☺️ xx

Yes I was induced. I was seen by the consultant on the Friday, monitored at the weekend and then went in on the Monday for monitoring, steroids and inducing. The blood flow through the placenta was fine and the consultant gut feel was that the baby was fine (she was) but he didn’t want to take any chances. As a previous poster said, be vigilant about movement. But I would be prepared to be induced.

My DD has a VSD and was very small at birth. Have you had a foetal echo?

@Oysterbabe I had a specialist scan at 21 weeks, nothing found but was told it would only be 50% chance of diagnosis until she is born anyway.