C section or induction at 36 weeks? (2 weeks away) She’s only 3 pounds 7 hardly grown due to pre eclampsia!

[Emmaemmaemmaemma]

Hi ladies

I’m very confused and after some advice/experiences if poss.

My baby had grown so little in two weeks (about four ounces) that she now weighs 3 pounds 7 at 33+4 weeks and has dropped way off the centile chart. They’ve booked me for induction at exactly 36 aslong as they can manage my blood pressure in the mean time.

I know nearer the time things will be discussed with me but the consultant couldn’t tell me much... there is risks and benefits to both birth methods and small babies can struggle with VBAC but also they can have problems with lungs if they are born through C section and don’t go through the birth canal.

Iv heard so many failed induction stories especially with 36 being so early :/ but at the same time I know she is so small she will end up in NICU what if I get discharged how could I drive to her everyday after a c section?

Feel I’m not informed enough to make a decision and no ones sat with me and told me enough

Any help and advice would be so much appreciated ❤️

My little one came by emergency c sec at 36+2 due to severe pre-e - he had no problems breathing and was perfectly healthy, although a little small and slightly jaundice. I wasnt given the option of natural birth due to how ill I was though so cant offer any advice on that I'm afraid. Good luck x

I had an emergency c section after a failed induction ( over 3 days!) after being induced for pre e at 37. Would 100% choose a section again and skip the induction as I think it’s very difficult when early if body not ready . They do however promote induction first but everyone in the hospital I spoke to said oh we thought it would end this way etc and that made me cross!! Why did they make me go through 3 days of induction!

A couple of things to consider:

1. Check with your car insurance provider about c-sections. Mine said I could drive when I felt ready to stop safely, which was about 4 weeks for me, although I wasn’t happy going all the way to the neonatal unit so that wasn’t much use.

2. Seems crazy now but think and talk to the consultant about future pregnancies. Do you want lots more or just 1? Imho, having done both, it’s only worth the vaginal birth if it makes it easier for future births. But my sister had a small prem after pre-enclampsia and they said she had a 50/50 chance of it happening again so c-section made more sense then.

3. Bear in mind that measuring baby size and working out weight isn’t an exact science so baby could be heavier or lighter. You prob won’t get out of NICU for a few weeks if under 4lb though.

4. Check with the hospital about rooms for NICU mums to stay in. Some have, depending on various criteria. I couldn’t use as I had older kids to look after.

Ps I know it must be scary for you right now, but I’ve spent many months in NICU and your baby will be just fine. You are a long way through the pregnancy and 3.5lb+ is a good weight compared to many of the babies in there. Ask if you can have a tour before the birth to get to see the place. Hope it goes well.

I had 2 steroid injections to mature my babies lungs a week before planned section. Worked a treat :)

I was induced at 37+4 for IUGR. At 31+3 she was measuring 3lb as I'v just checked my notes. She was born healthy at 5lb 3oz no need to stay in any longer than usual and no NICU.

Sorry my induction was really positive. Once they broke my waters at 3cm she was born 2 and a half hours later.

In general scan results are accurate to +/- 15% so if your baby is measuring that small you're better off delivering, sounds like the placenta is packing up.

You're well within your rights to request a c-section, ask what the likelihood is of giving birth vaginally. It's marginally better for the baby's health if it works, but often it doesn't especially if the baby isn't engaged at all.

I had my DD at 32 weeks by section and she weighed 3ib,13; because they knew I’d be delivering early I had steroids to bring on her lungs which I think they will offer you as well. She only had to spend 2.5 weeks in hospital in the end as she did so well; I managed to stay for nearly a week then after that I had family members and used taxis but I know some hospitals have accommodation on site.
Ask to visit the special care unit and talk to them there before your baby arrives so you feel prepared about what to expect

I had a failed induction at 34 weeks with DD1 ending in fetal distress and an emergency c section. Now pregnant with DC2 and my new consultant has pretty much said that she would not have tried inducing a small baby early and would’ve gone straight for csection.

That’s just my experience and with DC2 if I need to be induced I will be opting for a csection. As much as I want a VBAC I will not be going through the fetal distress/risk of rupture etc with the current pregnancy. I have a low threshold for steroids for new Dc which will assist its lungs, and DD was only in NICU for 24 hours and then joined me on a transitional ward for 2 (long) weeks.

36 weeks is really good....
Not to early at all

Try not to worry

Hope baby does some super growing quickly