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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Small Baby and worrying

14 replies

Ninjamomma · 16/01/2020 22:26

I have been having serial growth scans throughout my pregnancy and baby has only ever been just above the 10th Centile. Growth scan last week at 32 weeks showed his growth had slowed and he had dropped below the 10th Centile - Midwife said around the 5th Centile.

I was sent to Triage and seen by a doctor who sent me for a doppler scan this week (it was yesterday and blood flow and fluid levels seem OK) and has booked a growth scan in for Thursday next week.

I've done some research and can see it is usual for smaller babies to be induced early and just wanted to get some experiences from others who have experienced the same.

I will be 34 weeks when I have the scan next week. Am I likely to be induced early and if so how early? Has anyone been in the same position?

OP posts:

GoodShipSerenity · 17/01/2020 02:58

I'm in this same situation too but a bit further on than you. I am currently 36+6 and baby has always been at or below the 3rd centile. My doctors have said that it is usual for small babies to be induced earlier at 37 weeks as the risk to baby goes up the closer to 40 weeks you get.

Personally I wanted to get to 38 weeks but as I have had a blood pressure rise in the last week alongside the small baby I'm going to be induced tomorrow at 37 weeks

gem584848838 · 17/01/2020 03:53

I had to have regular growth scans due to health reasons and my baby was showing as small in the scans (can't remember what centiles etc, too long ago!)

They decided to induce me at 38 weeks. Baby was born 4 pounds, 14 ounces but was absolutely fine and we were out of hospital after 2 days. She's now 6 months and over 14 pounds so really healthy 🙂

If your baby continues to be showing as small then they probably will book you in for induction. I know it's probably really scary and worrying but because they're aware of this they can regularly monitor you. Induction isn't the best situation, sorry to be honest but mine didn't go great and ended up having a cesarean. But I'm sure plenty of people have a smooth and easy induction as everyone is different

Hp7425 · 17/01/2020 03:59

I had a small baby but wasn't induced. I ended up with a c section at 39 weeks as she was breech. I was having growth scans the whole way through

They'll only induce you if they can see a problem causing the small baby.

Original poster

Ninjamomma · 17/01/2020 09:46

I'm not too worried about the induction part as I was induced with my first however it was at 40 weeks. I've read that quite a few were induced earlier than 37 weeks which scares me in terms of how baby would cope but it sounds like where possible they keep baby in for as long as possible

OP posts:

PeacefulInTheDeep · 17/01/2020 13:09

My first was measuring small, which was first picked up on a scan at 32 weeks to check placenta location. I had fortnightly scans after that and then I was told by the consultant at 36+2 that I'd be induced at 37 weeks, which came as a bit of a shock!

They are fully developed by 37 weeks and considered full term, so in some cases it's a "better out than in" scenario.

My DS was delivered by emergency C-section at 5lb8oz after getting into distress during labour. He was absolutely fine, I recovered well, and I'm having a CS again this time around.

FebMama2Be · 17/01/2020 21:43

I've been having fortnightly growth scans with fortnightly doppler scans inbetween due to small growth. It was originally picked up at 28 weeks when he was measuring on the 6th centile but since then it's been up and back down. Was originally told if the growth hadnt picked up then he would be delivered around 34 weeks which scared the crap out of me, but that wasnt the case.
I am 36+5 and had growth scan today where he is on the 10th centile, booked in for C section next week but this is also due to him being breech.

I know its easier said than done (I've been a nervous wreck myself) but try and remain calm, some babies are just small. As long as the placenta etc looks ok then that's a positive.

Bluebelltulip · 17/01/2020 21:49

My first was measuring under the 10th centile but as blood flows etc were fine I wasn't induced and she was born at 41 weeks on the 6th centile. DS was also measuring small and induced at 38 weeks as some blood flow measurements had been low and was born on the 2nd centile.

FebMama2Be · 17/01/2020 21:55

@Bluebelltulip if you dont mind me asking what did your DC weigh at birth?

suchasoftersin · 17/01/2020 22:03

I went into hospital with reduced movements at 36+2. Was sent for a scan as bump measured small and they realised my baby's weight estimate was 4ib7oz, everything else was completely fine. I was admitted and induced that day. Ended with an emergency c section and dd was born early hours of the next morning and weighed 4ib7oz exactly. She was completely fine, despite her weight and being prem. Didn't spend any time in nicu and gained weight well after birth.

emmaclare83 · 17/01/2020 22:43

Really reassuring to read some of these, as I've been told similar at my growth scan today. Baby is measuring 3rd centile for second scan running. Umbilical cord, fluid, heartbeat, movements etc are fine.

Been told it's likely just a small baby, but it is worrying and I'm really trying not to Google myself into a frenzy. I'm now booked in for fortnightly growth scans and monitoring twice a week which has knocked me for six so I'm so pleased this thread has come up today.

Midwife today described it as the baby being "under surveillance" which, while a bit sinister, also gives me a bit of confidence that things are being looked after in a thorough way!

Hoping to get to 38 weeks, which the consultant tentatively said was our aim.

Wishing you all the best OP.

Bluebelltulip · 17/01/2020 22:45

@FebMama2Be DD was 6lb8oz and DS was 5lb13oz.

Original poster

Ninjamomma · 17/01/2020 22:57

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, I feel a lot calmer. I'm just hopeful I can get to at least 36/37 but I know its just a waiting game now to see what this scan says next week.

Lovely to hear about all the healthy early babies

OP posts:

20viona · 17/01/2020 23:06

I was in the same position last year. Regular scans baby consistently below tenth centile. I was induced at 37 weeks and my daughter was a perfectly healthy but tiny 5lb 3oz on the 4th centile.

HerculesMulligan · 18/01/2020 17:15

I had pancreatitis multiple times during pregnancy which affected the placenta. DD started dropping from the 25th centile at 20 weeks and fell off the graph completely by about 34 weeks. I had loads of scans to check blood flow and she was induced at 36+5, born on 37+0 at 4lb9oz. We were discharged within 24 hours and at 19 weeks now, she's back to the 25th centile and feeds and sleeps brilliantly. Hang on in there, I know it's nerve wracking, OP.

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