Small growth scan

[Belle911]

We had a planned growth scan yesterday at 36+1 weeks as my measurements were ahead externally. The hospital were as a result concerned about 2 things from the scan. 1. baby is breeched (wasn’t a shock has been for about 7 weeks) and 2. baby has hardly grown in the last 4 weeks since previous growth scan therefore is actually below the 5th percentile and very small.

Me and hubby waited to see the doctor to talk about the findings. We both stated we would prefer to book an elective C-section due to baby’s positioning rather than attempting to get the baby turned. The doctor at that point stated due to baby’s size the elective section would be next week (37/40) however would go and check with the consultant. A few minutes later she came back saying no the consultant stated we should plan for at 39 weeks but to scan again next week to monitor blood flow from the placenta and the size of baby. Stating I must monitor baby’s activity as it’s very important.

Well we’ve been sent home from the hospital in a complete state I can’t stop crying and it’s made my anxiety exceptionally bad. It now feels like a waiting game to see what’s going on. Surely if one doctor was worried why are we now playing a waiting game? Last March I miscarried and had to wait a week for a scan to confirm things. It now feels like I’m waiting to check this baby is ok and scared something is going to happen. I can’t cope like this at home for another 5 days. I don’t know what to do.

I had a baby with IUGR and delivered by elective c section at 37 weeks.

Was it Doppler scan that you had (check placenta function etc) and were your fluid levels normal? Or did they just check growth?

You can consider a complain to PALS to ask to speak to the consultant (or another consultant) ASAP to rediscuss a c section date.

The Doppler result for the umbilical artery was low but just about considered normal. Estimated fetal weight as previously mentioned from the measurements is low. Then my amniotic fluid index is also under the 5th percentile so very low too. Therefore all of the above.

What are your baby’s movements like? Which day next week is the planned scan?
This may well be a sound plan, but it is always very worrying when you get told different things. My guess is that you will be delivered in the next week or two, but that will depend on scan results , especially dopplers. It is a complex balance of issues, delivering early can be very challenging for babies to deal with.
Remember that if you are worried about movements it is absolutely right to go in, every time you are concerned. Each time is a prompt for your situation to be reviewed and small changes can lead to a different decision.
Do PM me if you want to

Did the Doppler only look at the umbilical artery? What about the middle cerebral artery or ductus?

If your waters are low, that’s a concern. When you say your baby hasn’t really grown, are you looking at estimated weight or are several of the measurements the same? What’s the abdominal circumference doing?

The other Doppler results were ok. Measurements wise they have all dropped off and were low for the gestation we are now at (with the exception of the head).

I think I’m just going to be very cautious this week monitoring movements and go in even if it’s slightly reduced/ a concern to me. It’s not worth the risk.

The Doctor you saw was probably junior to the Doctor that was asked for advice.

Its really worrying though. At the slightest hint of reduced movements i'd be into the maternity unit faster than I could make myself a cup of tea.

I am going through the same pretty much OP, except my baby has been measuring small for a good few weeks now.
Had a scan yesterday where he has dropped again to 13th centile so been told we wont go any further than 37 weeks, (2 weeks time) could be sooner depending how our scan goes next week.
We are also having a c section due to him breech.
I know the feeling of being upset when I got home yesterday I cried, try to take some reassurance that if the consultant seems to things are ok at moment to leave you until 39 weeks that must be a good thing.
As someone else has said - chances are the doctor was a junior, I would follow the advice of the consultant. Good luck!!

I went through this in my last pregnancy. I measured big on the outside but when I had a growth scan my baby was very small and I ended up being repeatedly admitted for different issues and was given steroids at about 36 weeks because her growth seemed to have dropped so much and she had gone below another centile line so they thought she may need to be delivered early. Fluids were also very low at one scan but came back up again at the next. It was all terribly worrying as every doctor said something different. In the end I was induced at 38 weeks and my daughter is now nearly 2. It turns out she is just naturally really tiny, which is strange as my husband and I are both above average. Pay really close attention to movements and go straight in if you notice a change but equally try not to worry too much. Some babies are just small and lots and lots of women go through this and the overwhelming majority come out the other end with healthy babies. The doctors are rightly cautious and monitor you closely but it doesn’t mean something is definitely going to go wrong. It’s horrible because as soon as your pregnancy becomes unexpectedly high risk it turns from enjoyable to stressful and scary overnight and you’re stuck in this worrying cycle of scans, admissions and consultants. Try to remember, for most people it really does end up being ok. I have so much sympathy because 2 years ago I was where you are now. It’s not very much longer and it’ll all be over and you’ll be holding your baby with all this just a distant memory.

I think that's exactly the right plan. FWIW, I was unwell and my DD dropped right off the centiles, but was safely induced at 37 weeks, weighing about 2kg (she was 4lb9oz). Barring a cold or two, she's been healthy since birth and at four months she's feeding like a champion and making her slowly back onto the centiles. I know it's hard but try not to worry.

Im in the same situation now with her being under the 5th centile, i have a fetal medicine appointment scan on Tuesday and tbh im bricking it.
Its such a headfcker and googling makes things worse.

I wish you all the best.

@belle911 how did things turn out for you, as I'm 39.plus 4 and had a growth scan 8 days ago showing she's 3rd centile after appearing to not have changed on fundal measurements over 36-38 weeks. A consultant suggested monitoring for a week with sweep then booking an induction not to go over my due date. I am going in for monitoring today, sweep 3 days ago didn't work and still undecided whether to be induced. But the longer this goes on the more worried I am getting. Baby is lively during monitoring but the night before the next session I get particularly stressed about it x