Baby small on growth scans - early birth?

[Catarinah]

Hi everyone, so I had steroid injections at week 27 due to signs of early labour but everything settled since then and baby doing well. However, I have had additional growth scans every two weeks since this and although the baby is still gaining weight, and in the healthy/normal range, the baby is not growing as much as expected and seems to be getting further away from the middle line at each scan. All I've been told so far is that "if this continues we have need to get baby out early". This is our first baby, the due date is correct and matches my calculations of conception. I was just wondering if anyone else had this experience? I am hoping on a water birth, will this still be an option down the line? And, if at our next scan next week (I'll be 34 weeks) if the baby has dropped further again, when are they likely to suggest intervening? Thanks :)

@Catarinah they will probably try to keep us until 37 weeks, then you'll be offered induction.
In rare cases they do deliver baby earlier than that if concerned.

I had this with my third and we started having troubles with the cord, then it would be fine but not the weight as hers will drop. Anyways at 36+4 I was offered induction. She was born at 37 and was weighing more than expected, didn't need any help as was 6lb 7oz.

Hope it all goes well. Ask your doctor next time, if you don't ask specific questions you have they won't tell you.

Sorry, try to keep you not us.

Similar situation as you, small baby, had several growth scans. Was then told by a doctor baby needs to come out in the next 10 days. Had steroid injections at 33 weeks with the view to c section as it was safer and I didn’t exactly get an option. Went for fetal medicine scan to be told she is still growing she’s just very small. 3lbs at 33 weeks so they’re doing weekly scans now instead of c section. I have my next scan on Monday and will be 34+4.

It’s been a really treat I’m couple of weeks not knowing what to expect. So I feel for you OP. Just try not to worry. I couldn’t eat for days worrying about the c section. Then as soon as she’s said they won’t be doing it last week I suddenly felt all my hunger come back and felt even worse for not eating.

Just take every day as it comes. I hope you have a healthy happy baby regardless :)