38 weeks

[Mikey319]

Hi,

I'm very soon to be a parent, my OH is in slow labour and has been for 4 days, we've popped to the hospital as she's feeling unwell and they said that our baby might have static growth. Just wondering if anyone can shred some light on what it is and if it's common. Many thanks

Babies can stop growing if the placenta is no longer working as well as it should. They can check the blood flow from the baby to the placenta with a scan. If there are concerns, they might attempt to induce or speed up labour, so the baby can be delivered sooner. They certainly should monitor the pregnancy more closely. Babies whose growth slows down do not usually suffer any long term problems.

Hey Mikey, can imagine this is a very scary time for you. Especially if you aren’t able to stay with your partner in hospital.
A lot of the time hospitals just want to check all possibilities. So it may be nothing.
Wishing you all the best. Your little one will be with you soon x

I've just spoken to my OH over message as I'm sitting outside the hospital waiting. They've said they want to induce her tomorrow and to call up tomorrow to see if there is a bed. Apparently it's because of the baby's heart rate keeps going up and down. It's my first so everything is a little new and scary to say the least.

It sounds like they're really on top of this, try to sleep as best you can tonight. Induction can be looong and I swear my OH was more exhausted than I was after 40+ hours of labour!

Modern medicine is spectacular. 38 weeks is full term. Your OH is very lucky to have you. You've got this.

We've got the appointment at 10 to be induced, I've just put some lucozade sport in to her hospital bag, to help with energy. Looks like the big day is coming thank you for your kind words.

The heart rate is a good indicator of how the baby is coping. If the baby is showing signs of not coping with labour, they will do an emergency caesarian section. It sounds like they are taking good care of your baby and, fingers crossed, they will be here safely soon.

This exact same thing happened to me - I'd been going for regular growth scans and they discovered that my baby hadn't grown for 3 weeks. They brought me back the next morning and I was induced - my daughter arrived that evening and is healthy and now 6 weeks old. As others have mentioned, the risk is that the placenta may not be working properly - I was advised that induction was best as if I waited, there was a risk of stillbirth as the placenta could stop working completely. I agreed it was best to be safe. 38 weeks is full term so try not to worry - you'll be meeting your baby very soon

Just an update they induced her yesterday and she started to have contractions last night but our baby girl still didn't want to come and say hi. They are now going to be breaking her waters to hurry things along. It's frustrating because I can't be there until she's in established labour.

Ungh. You have my sympathies.

Thank you, in 24 hours she's dilated an extra half a cm. hmmm seems like this is going to be a slow labour. Just a shame I can't give my full support

I get that - it was the hardest thing for me and my husband too, I hated being on my own. Once it gets going though it can happen very quickly with induction. I went from 2cm to 9cm in an hour. Good luck, I hope it all gets moving for you both soon

How is everything going? You sound like a really supportive partner and I hope alls well.

Things are going okay, my OH has just had her waters broken. She went from 1.5cm to 2cm in just over 36 hours. I'm finally allowed in the room with her now which is nice.

I’m glad you’re allowed in there to support her now.

@Mikey319 how are things going? Hopefully things have progressed, it must be so difficult with lockdown restrictions!