Baby on 4th centile at 31 weeks

[qj17]

Hi
Does anyone have experience of their baby measuring this small?
Iv been going for 3 weekly growth scans since 25 weeks and they have now upped it to weekly for the next 3 weeks as she has dropped to the 4th centile?
Do they ever induce early for this?

Yes, they do. If that is 4th centile on your own personalized chart then I believe your baby will be classed as having intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). They will monitor you closely and balance up the risks of delivering prematurely vs leaving baby in. If you make it to 37 weeks and baby still looks OK they will almost certainly induce then.

My little one was 2nd-5th centile from 28 weeks and had growth scans, I’m pregnant with my second and already know I have to have growth scans simply cos 1st was small.
They thought of inducing me at 38weeks as I had static growth but his heartbeat was strong so they didn’t.
He was born at term at 6lb2, he was seen as having SGA (small gestional age) so hence why I have to have scans from 28weeks with this one (who I know is bigger already 🙈)

Thank you for the replies. My fundal measurement was 27 this time instead of 31 and she sent me for the scan and now it's been plotted as 4th centile when 3 weeks ago it was 13th.
First baby and not sure what to expect!

They should have done some Doppler studies during the scan, and recorded the “PI”. If this was within normal range they will probably do the weekly scans as you’d stated, if the PI was raised then this may be a concern but they would have given you more frequent scans if it was higher.
I’m assuming they’ve given you a tailored to you GROW chart and not issuing a standard “one for all” chart.

I have a blood disorder that can cause IuGR, and it’s common to bring baby out at 32w onwards with this condition. It just means baby could be better off out than in for the last few weeks. They would give you steroid injections first for a week or two before they induce to help babies lungs along. It would be scary but know it will be for the best outcomes if that’s the case.

They’ll make any decision one week at a time based on latest scan information. Growth scans are the most accurate but even then not entirely accurate. I’m currently booked in for 38 wks which they said could come earlier again but 37 w inwards is not considered premature so they’ll do their very best to keep baby in till then.

I would think about your ‘readiness’, just in case.

@Poppiesway1 Iv got a Doppler scan this Thursday so will see what comes of that, thanks.

To PP thanks for your experience, I'm going to try and be a little more organised 🤣

I've had growth scans every 2 weeks and now every week since around week 25. We were measuring at 9th percentile for a while. Now 14th. Baby has been following its own curve so people seem happy enough. I agree that you should ask to see the baby's growth and see if it follows a curve. Growth scans can be inaccurate - I've heard there's a 20% leeway either way so that's also something to bear in mind. They may induce early if they feel better out than in as others have said. Good luck but you're getting the right and best care.

My first baby was also measuring under the 5th centile, I was told I would be induced at 40 weeks. They offered me a sweep at 39 weeks which I took up and ended up going into labour the same day. It might be worth asking if you can have a sweep as it's a bit more 'natural' than an indication. They don't work for everybody but worth a go!
My baby was born small but he is now a perfectly healthy nearly two year old, coasting along the 25th centile.
Try not to worry too much. Although it seems small, remember the average is 50th centile, that doesn't mean if you are measuring below the baby is too small. It's still within normal range.

Dd was on a low centile, we also had issues with movement and then eventually a high PI. She was delivered by emergency c section at 34 weeks. She turns one this week and is the happiest, healthiest (still tiny) little girl around ❤️ Good luck OP