32+3 small baby on scan. Very worried

[batteriesgoing]

I went for a scan today at 32+3 and they said baby was measuring 4lb 1. I thought this sounded about right but they said because of my height this is below tenth centile. They then hooked me up to a monitor for an hour to check heartbeat. They couldn't get a proper reading because baby kept moving away from it so had to go back for another hour. Given the all clear to go but they then said because baby is small I have to have twice weekly monitoring and once a week scans. I'm very concerned here. Anybody else had this? I'm grateful they're vigilant but I'm stressing out over here

Scans are often wrong, they were well out with both of mine. Regular scans are good, as long as baby isn't distressed, is growing and seems to be progressing normally I wouldn't worry too much, some babies are small xx

@batteriesgoing Just to update you I've been at the hospital today and sadly my little ones growth has slowed and she is no longer following the 3rd centile curve. They've also discovered that there's a slight issue with the placenta which might be why baby is starting to struggle. I'm now in for weekly scans and have been told they will get me to 37 weeks if they can but no longer. She's 3lbs 5oz and I'm 33 weeks x

@Bluebell2020 aww I'm sorry. I hope you go as long as possible. Are they giving you anything? Steroids? You must be worried. Is there calcification of the placenta? I've been taking Omeprazole and read online this has been linked to placenta issues. I'm wondering if I should come off it.

@batteriesgoing They're going to re-assess next friday and decide whether to give me steroids. Got raised umbilical artery PI and numerous calcifications whatever that means. I'm not going to lie I'm absolutely shitting it. I've not taken any medication through this pregnancy. Only very occasional paracetamol (maybe 2 times in the whole pregnancy) and my pregnancy vitamins x

You try to do everything right down my you? Bless you. Doesn't seem fair. I'm glad they're keeping an eye on you. Babies are born smaller than yours and are fine. I'm drinking lots of milk ( probably an old wives tale but worth a shot). Did they have to do an internal to see the placenta? They wanted to do one on me but I said no. Not sure that was the right choice though.

@batteriesgoing I'm already obsessed with milk and cheese! 🙊 Luckily no internal. Got an anterior placenta though so I guess it's easy to see! x

I know a 5ft 2 woman who had a 10.6 baby. Poor cow.

@Bluebell2020 I’m sorry to hear your news 💐 . Sending you hugs. We were chatting on the 32 week thread, I’m due around the same time as you, also breach and with a growth restricted bub.
Yesterday I was told to start preparing for the baby to come early, including to start harvesting colostrum and taking fenugreek tablets to promote supply. While it wasn’t great news, at least I have something constructive to focus my mind on. At least I feel like I’m doing something for her, rather than just uselessly willing her to grow! Has your hospital mentioned colostrum harvesting? I’ve heard that it can bring on labour, which I’m desperately trying to avoid...

@Figey do they think you will go into labour on your own? I dread them
Asking me about breastfeeding. I had a breast reduction and was warned I wouldn't be able to feed. I will feel so guilty if she's small and I can't give her the best

@Figey I'm loosing track of all the threads I'm on 🙈 Are you on the facebook group? Everyone is super supportive on there!

They haven't mentioned anything about harvesting colostrum which maybe is something I should be trying to do? I'm shitting it! Knowing she will be here in just over 4 weeks at the latest x

@Bluebell2020 is there an fb group? I would like to join if there is

@batteriesgoing yeah theres a November 2020 due dates group but it's private and hidden. I will message the girl who created it to find out how you get added as I can't remember! x

For anyone that wants to join the facebook group you've got to add this lady and she will add you to the group:

www.facebook.com/gemma.howe.12

How big were you and your siblings at birth? Same for DH?

Birthweight has little to do with final height but there does seem to be a link with birth weights through the maternal line.

As you said your first was only 7lb1oz which is on the smaller size if you are both white European.

@RandomMess my dd (7lb 1) was with my first husband. I presumed she was on the smaller side because she was a week early and her dad was quite short and slight.
I was 7lb13 two weeks overdue so not a big baby either. Siblings were about 8lb close to due dates.
Not sure about dh but I did think this one would be bigger as we're both tall

@batteriesgoing even if I do go into labour, I’ll still need a csection due to the baby’s size and her potentially not being strong enough to endure a natural birth. I’m totally risk adverse, so at this point I’m not even considering natural birth anymore...

You shouldn’t feel guilty about bottle feeding! I feel like with bottles, being able to reliably see how much baby is eating would be reassuring, especially if baby’s weight is a focus. Everything has its pros and cons, we just do the best that we can.

The scans are a bit notorious for being inaccurate. I had a scan at 39+3 where I was told to expect a 6lb baby and gave birth at 40+3 to an 8lb baby. You’re in the best hands either way, they’re clearly being cautious.

@Figey you're right to not even consider a vaginal birth. I said this to dh before. If I did have to have this one early I'd have to ask for a c section. My first was extremely fast, she got distressed and came out all bruised and covered in burst blood vessels. I couldn't put a small early baby through that trauma

My Mum and Dad are tiny 4'10" and 5'9" their first (my brother) was 9lb and then I was merely 8lb something. My DB is shorter than my Dad...

I have scraped 5' DC2 was 10lb 6oz... although I didn't have scans I measured small for dates and they kept telling me I wasn't having a big baby!!

🤷🏽‍♀️

@Bluebell2020 it was a bit of a confronting conversation to be honest. They were talking about the types of support she may need after birth, and I’d barely got my head around the fact that this is really happening.

@Figey for you, may it all go smoothly as possible.

@batteriesgoing I just want whatever is safest and will have the best outcome for the baby. If that means some negative consequences for me, I couldn’t care less.

Fingers crossed all the bubs stay put for now and keep growing over the next few weeks 💕

That ain't small at all and I find it concerning they say it is! You've got so many weeks left to add up to a lb a week! Bizarre

@Bluebell2020 how are you getting on? I had a scan yesterday. Didn't check growth but no issues so far with placenta. Hoping for growth at my next scan on Tuesday