37 weeks and just over 3rd centile

[Longroadbutwegothere]

I’m just looking for some advice (information to calm my nerves) I’ve been under consult care since getting pregnant due to previous birth and this been an ivf pregnancy. From 28 weeks I have been having weekly scans to check blood flow and growth. I’m 37 weeks today and after my scan it showing baby is still just above the 3rd centile and only guess weighing 5lb 4oz, but the doctor today(who I haven’t seen before) said he’s not worried and has discharged back to the midwife. But I’m really worried this shouldn’t be the case with a baby measuring so small. Has anyone else been in the same situation?? I’m just worried I’ve got this far and somethings going to go wrong xx

My eldest weighed 4lb 7 when she was born at 37 weeks (severe IUGR) and now she’s 5 and absolutely fine. Not even particularly small any more compared to her peers.

My DS was born at 4lb 14 on the 4th/5th centile.
He's now taller than me nearly 15 years later...
That's the whole point of an average - some will always be below and above...
It's hard not to worry though- best wishes with everything.
Do talk to your midwife though. Putting your mind at rest is important or you'll just dwell on it.

My eldest weighed 5 and a half pounds when she was born and it was fine. She was premature and needed a few nights in scbu but that was related to prematurity and not just her size ( jaundice and feeding issues because her suck reflex had not developed) . She's small for her age now but a healthy active child.

What gestation was your previous baby born at? The chances are that you will have a few more weeks of pregnancy and your baby will be bigger. But even if they are born tomorrow that weight would not be a big problem.

I was told at 37 weeks baby was huge. Needed to be induced. Born a week later and no she wasn't... she was 15 centile.
They get it wrong a lot, apparently.

I’ve had two babies born on 2nd centile. First was born at 32 weeks due to severe pre eclampsia. Placenta was failing. Second time I was under consultant care and had extra scans. Found notches on umbilical artery and poor blood flow at 23 weeks so was on weekly scans from then on. C section at 37 weeks as growth had stopped. Baby was small but no issues. Discharged after 3 nights and she was feeding well. First was a different matter due to prematurity rather than size as such.
Also think about what size you and the father are. My husband is small for a man - so in reality my children were always going to be smaller than average and at 7 and 10 both are still only just above 2 centile for hight.

It’s hard not to stress, if the baby is still growing and on the same growth curve they have always been on then I can see why they are leaving the baby in there for now.

I think if it was me though I’d still be wanting the weekly scans.

My own experience was that the growth of one of my twins slowed down significantly from 34-37 weeks. They nearly took the babies out a week earlier than planned (would have been 37 weeks) but as she was still growing the consultant said leave them in. At 38 weeks when they came she was distinctly skinny for a term baby, but ok. It was actually the other twin whose umbilical chord had no blood in it (she is also ok).

My DD was born by planned (but not choice) c section at 37 weeks weighing 4lbs 13oz due to IUGR. I had weekly scans and Dopplera from 28 weeks until safe enough to deliver.

I would press for information as to why your baby is that small, however I wouldn’t panic. As long as they can see the blood flow ect is healthy between placenta and baby and the organs are all ok, movement fine ect, then j would just ask the questions you want to know and keep baby cooking for as long as possible .

The actual size of baby isn't the issue.
In 3 weeks, they can gain a lb each week.
The don't look at the weight in itself but the fact that your baby hasn't dropped percentiles is the key.
That's what they look for.
If you follow the 3rd percentile on your graph... It'll give you an estimate of their birth weight.
So they're clearly happy with how baby is progressing as they haven't dropped

As others have said baby is obviously growing which is good otherwise they wouldn't have discharged you back to mw so try not to worry (although I know it's hard not to!)

I was told DS would be 7lb something and he came out at 5lbs 11oz on 5th centile. He's still on the small side both for weight and height and has always been a size behind in clothes (ie started wearing 0-3mths when he was 3mths and into age 2-3 when he turned 3) but he is perfectly healthy, active etc. When I see him with his nursery class the "average" thing really plays out as they are all different heights, builds etc!

DD1 was 5lb 8oz at 38+2 which I think out her on the 2nd percentile. Classified as SGA. Went on to have another SGA baby but was ever so slightly bigger as born a week later.

So long as baby isn't dropping off the charts I wouldn't worry too much. Someone's got to be on the 1st/2nd/3rd/4th percentiles

And just to add, DD1 is now 3 and taller than average 3yr olds and weighs between 50-60th percentiles!

Good luck OP!

My DD14 was on the 4th centile when she was born. I was induced due to pre-eclampsia at 35+6, she weighed 4lb 12oz. She now towers over me. Im 37 weeks pregnant at the moment and this baby is on the 75th centile. Try not to be too concerned though, the estimates can be way out.

Thankyou for all your messages they’ve made me feel a lot better. I know it a good sign they can’t see any problems and she has carried on the same line and not dropped im just worried has the other doctor has still wanted to keep an eye on her but the doctor today who I haven’t seen before said they no problem. I’m probably just worrying over nothing but will speak to my midwife about it at my next appointment.
But it been great to know others have been in the same position and everything’s been ok x

I don't want to worry you but I'm surprised the Doc has referred you back to midwife care. A baby between the 5th and 10th centile is considered small for gestational age but a baby below the 5th centile like yours is considered to be growth restricted. The most likely cause for this would be placental insufficiency.
You should be having regular CTGs, Dopplers at least 1-2 times a week and fortnightly growth scans.
I would contact your Midwife and question this decision.

I agree with @Cyclewidow46

My baby was below the 3rd and last week at my 2nd growth scan was still small but had grown a good amount and is on 7th centile BUT I am continuously having growth scans now every 2 weeks until the end. I am 35 weeks now.
At my hospital if your under the 3rd still by 37 weeks they induce at 37 weeks.
If under the 10th they induce 39
Weeks apparently.
X

That's a good weight, try not to worry

My newborn was born 2 weeks ago at 37+2 as below 3rd centile and I have a history of blood flow issues and placenta failing with my older DS. The consultants deemed it safer to deliver him at 37 weeks rather than wait and see. He was born 5lb 1oz and very skinny, struggled a bit with his temp but didn’t need SCBU or anything.

I was induced due to IUGR at 37+4 and my daughter weighed 5lb 3oz on the 2nd centile. She was perfect bar a spot of jaundice and needed no additional care.

The centile reflects the range of babies at term. Being at the bottom or top of the range isn't an indication of a problem unless there are other factors at play.

My first two were bottom of scale, grew normally, still petite as adults , both taller than petite family members by the time that they were 10.

I would also question this decision. I’m very surprised that you would be returned to midwife led care and if I were your midwife I would not be happy with that at all. RCOG guidelines advise that induction of labour should be offered at 37 weeks for small for gestational age (SGA) babies.

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/gtg_31.pdf

I don’t mean to alarm you but I wouldn’t be happy with that either. I was detected as having IUGR at 36 weeks (along with high blood pressure) and was admitted and monitored like a hawk until delivery induced at 37 weeks 0 days. Now, this wasn’t NHS but I definitely wouldn’t be happy with your being discharged to lower less invasive care.

It’s not so much about the weight of the baby, it’s also about the fact that IUGR means the placenta isn’t working as well as it should. And placental failure is a big cause of stillbirth, I’m sorry to say. Full term is 37 weeks. There is no advantage to your baby in staying in the womb beyond this is the placenta isn’t functioning at optimum. If I were you, I’d monitor my kick count like a hawk and ring my doctor first thing on normal office hours. I’d ask what is the advantage to not delivering now, and express serious concern about t risks. What do the doctors expect to happen in the coming days/weeks and how can it benefit your baby? Personally, I’d insist on being be induced or c-section (whichever is your preference) and ask for a second opinion if this doctor does not agree. I’d also ask for any decision to refuse to induce or section you be recorded in your notes along with your concerns.

Honestly? It’s worrying. I don’t want to alarm you but it is worrying. Any concern over movement etc, present immediately to your maternity hospital.

For what it’s worth, my baby was born at 2.5kg at 37 weeks and had no need for breathing help thankfully. He did have jaundice however but I was happy to liberally supplement with formula alongside breastfeeding to ensure it was overcome. Jaundice is a risk in low weight and earlier babies, so please don’t get fixated in exclusive breastfeeding if you’d planned to do that and prepare to think about mix feeding. Some 37 weekers can require a small amount of help to establish breathing but most are fine. I’d firmly think safer out than in at 37 weeks if there are any placenta or growth doubts. Good luck.

Hi OP, i don’t want to worry you , but I would also be concerned.
My baby was born on the 2nd centile. Turned out I had undiagnosed preeclampsia and a failing placenta. She became very distressed in labour and was born v unwell (spent a week in NICU).

She put on weight within a couple of weeks of birth and she’s a perfectly average sized , healthy and happy toddler now. My Doppler readings were normal at the last scan I had a week before she was born; the only indication anything was wrong with my placenta was I had borderline low levels of amniotic fluid. (I was told I was dehydrated and should drink more water.)

Did everything else seem normal on your scan? I would be vigilant and push for extra monitoring. I would also be cautious about going overdue. I was allowed to go to 41+4 and can’t help thinking if I had given birth a week earlier things might have been different.

Sharing my experience not to worry you, but just for the information in case it could be helpful in some way.

Xx

Thanks for all your replies, im glad to hear that even though your baby was born smaller they doing great now :) I have now got an appointment with the midwife tomorrow so going to speak to her about my worries, has I just think they should still be keeping a closer eye on things, has They have already told me they won’t let me go pass 40weeks.
I am keeping count of the movements she is making, just to be on the save side but hopefully the midwife will have more information tomorrow.

Sounds good OP. I think that’s the main thing - that they keep an eye and don’t let you go overdue. I hope the midwife is helpful. Good luck! X

I’m pleased you have an appointment tomorrow. However I’d suggest you insist on being seen by a doctor. Midwives are not best placed to assess and deal with complications like you have described. I’d also repeat the questions I mentioned above - what is the possible advantage to your baby remaining in utero and what are the risks. An IUGR baby can’t gain weight effectively from a compromised placenta, at this gestation, delivery would likely be best.

Best wishes.

Help !!! I’m heartbroken 💔 Iv been having lots of scans from start after numerous early miscarriage. I was told weeks go baby was small , Iv had scan today where consultant suggested I have the test where they take fluid from sac which can then make you miscarry 😥😰 I have chromosomes checked and downs at 12 week which came back as low risk , I’m worried sick now I’m 24 wk tomoz and on 3rd centile but other scan three week go said 14th centile x