Urgent scan for static growth

[roobine]

Hi, looking for a bit of a hand hold as I'm getting myself in a tizz.
I'm 35+6 and following midwife appt today she has referred me for an urgent scan - I'm going to be seen tomorrow morning.
Since they have been measuring my bump (over the last 4 appts) I've consistently been over the 50th percentile, and at my last appt I actually measured around the 70th. Today I measured 1cm smaller than my last measurement which brings me down to the 10th percentile so she was quite concerned. Listened to hear beat which was ok but she couldn't feel what position the baby is in.
I did have a different midwife at my last appointment and so there is a chance that it's down to human error, but the midwife I saw today has done all my other measurements so it does seem like something may be going on...
Has anyone else had such a significant drop and could you share your experiences - I'm really not sure what to expect tomorrow.
Thanks

I’ve had a similar experience. My bump was measuring at 70th centile (ish) up until 38 weeks, when it stayed the same as 36 weeks (33cm I think). Midwife referred me for growth scan. She explained that if baby has engaged, this can cause the measurement to drop. Went for growth scan and they measured the circumference of the abdomen, circumference of the head, the free fluid around the baby in 4 corners of the womb, and looked at the pressure and blood flow through the cord. All were within normal parameters. At my 40 week appointment, the bump measured the same again (same as both 36 week and 38 week) so was referred for another scan. As I was more than 40 weeks they looked at the free fluid and cord (but didn’t take any measurements as they’re not reliable past 40 weeks). Again, all normal. I feel fine and movements have continued as normal so I’m not concerned.
I’ve been advised that after 40 weeks the risk of stillbirth increases and the baby is fully formed so have been encouraged to have a stretch and sweep/induction. However due to my husband’s work (military) I need to keep the baby in until 41+2 or he will be posted away when baby is 6 weeks old and I’ll have to cope alone. So I’m declining induction for the time being. If I had reduced movements or any other symptoms I would obviously reconsider. If you feel otherwise fine and baby is moving I wouldn’t be overly concerned. Do you feel like baby has engaged? You could always ask the midwife to be booked in for induction at the earliest opportunity if you’d prefer.

I haven't experienced it in the same way but I had two episodes of reduced movements in my last pregnancy and was sent for a scan which showed static growth. I was only 29 weeks at the time though.

Hopefully in your case it is just human error and everything is fine on the scan. But in my experience they will check the growth on the scan, and maybe cord flow and amniotic fluid too. If it is static growth then they will probably put a plan in place for extra monitoring and look at inducing early. Depending on how small the growth is and if there are any more factors involved will depend on when they induce but I think they like to wait until 37 weeks.

Thanks @Name739017
When she checked today she could feel that the baby wasn't engaged and put in my notes that the head is down but free, but she couldn't quite feel what the rest of the body is doing. I've got a feeling that she might have turned to back to back hence the reduction in bump size - she did a massive weird turn yesterday and I'm back to feeling kicks rather than the wriggles I'd been feeling before... gutted as she'd been in perfect position before. Hoping this will explain things but it's so hard not to worry!
I hope everything progresses well for you so that husband can support you as long as poss

Thanks @JuniperNarni that's helpful and fingers crossed that you're right re waiting until 37 weeks if they do need to do anything.
Everything has been so straightforward until now and so I'd been feeling optimistic about having a water birth with minimal intervention. I'm trying not to project forwards until i have the full info but I'm so worried that it'll now be a really medical birth - i'd not realised quite how anxiety provoking the prospect would be but I feel really scared. Obviously baby's health is number one and I'll do whatever needs to be done but it's all so scary and just not what I'd imagined

@roobine best of luck with your scan tomorrow!

I had growth scans at 36 & 38 weeks due to measuring too small. 3 midwives measured me at 38w and all got different numbers varying 32/36 it's such an inconsistent way to measure and they are meant to go from the highest part of your bump not the middle. I was also told that not all hospitals plot on that graph, because it is not representative of the population as a whole. Three of my four I measured small for every time simply because for my height and weight I "should be having bigger babies". Regardless of what their father was 🤷🏽‍♀️.
Was induced at 38w due to reduced water levels. Baby was decent size, would have been giant if I made it to 40.
Trust your instincts. Good luck

Thanks @PleaseGoToSleeep, that's reassuring to hear that there was such big differences between different midwive's measurements - I'm hoping it's the same for me although sorry you had to go through that, it sounds like a nightmare!!
Thanks @Name739017, fingers crossed I'll be posting tomorrow to say all is fine!

Just to update - had scan this morning and all is fine 😊 measurements are all good as is placenta etc so seems it was down to variations from different people's measurements.
Super relieved but glad that they erred on the side of caution.

@roobine excellent news ☺️

Glad scam went well must of been along night worrying