34 weeks 3rd centile

[Magenta82]

I had a growth scan today, my baby was 10th centile at 28 weeks, 9th at 31 and has now dropped down to 3rd. She is less than 4lbs at the moment.

I didn't see my normal consultant and felt rushed and overwhelmed. She said if things don't improve I will need to be induced at 37 weeks "or even earlier". I have scans booked for next week and the week after and am panicking a bit.

I have a low protein level which is why I was having the scans in the first place. I also had a gastric bypass a few years back which means my blood sugar is usually on the lower end and right now I'm finding it hard to eat. Apparently the blood sugar/eating is minor, but I should try to snack every 90 minutes anyway.

I'm worried about my baby and feel like I and my body are failing her.

I had this with my daughter. Discovered at a 24 week scan. She was small and on the 5th centile at that time.

I had scans every week comprising of a growth scan every other week and a Doppler scan every other week.

We made it to 35 weeks before she stopped growing completely and dropped off the centile chart.
I was given elective C section date and she arrived at bang on 37 weeks.
I was shocked at her appearance having had a full term plump baby previously.
My placenta hadn't been functioning properly and this had affected her growth. She was so tiny. 3lbs 10oz.

Although she was tiny the bit that I wasn't expecting was the lack of any fat. She had excess skin and was very boney.

Another thing I hadn't expected was how sleepy she was. I had always to wake her for feeding, this was insisted upon by the midwives. She was an extremely easy baby who didn't really open her eyes or engage for the first 5 months as she was feeding, sleeping and growing. You'll have a very long fourth trimester!

She was late with milestones but fully caught up by 18 months so don't be tempted to compare with other babies as it's not really accurate and can make you anxious.

Eat nutrient dense snacks regularly, and I know it's so very hard but try to meditate and relax your body. Stress hormones don't help either of you.

They have you both monitored and baby is likely to arrive early.
Gets lots of warm little hats and blankets for baby, if they are small they can't keep heat. I had a lovely midwife who would tuck her up on my skin for warmth and fold the sheets around us both tucked in so she couldn't fall.

At home I slept next to her, with her in her carrycot next to me in bed so she was next to me but not co-sleeping.
She still climbs in next to me now and she's almost an adult!
Can you ask for extra Doppler scans so you get more monitoring?
Best wishes xx

@beautifullymad

I had this with my daughter. Discovered at a 24 week scan. She was small and on the 5th centile at that time.

I had scans every week comprising of a growth scan every other week and a Doppler scan every other week.

We made it to 35 weeks before she stopped growing completely and dropped off the centile chart.
I was given elective C section date and she arrived at bang on 37 weeks.
I was shocked at her appearance having had a full term plump baby previously.
My placenta hadn't been functioning properly and this had affected her growth. She was so tiny. 3lbs 10oz.

Although she was tiny the bit that I wasn't expecting was the lack of any fat. She had excess skin and was very boney.

Another thing I hadn't expected was how sleepy she was. I had always to wake her for feeding, this was insisted upon by the midwives. She was an extremely easy baby who didn't really open her eyes or engage for the first 5 months as she was feeding, sleeping and growing. You'll have a very long fourth trimester!

She was late with milestones but fully caught up by 18 months so don't be tempted to compare with other babies as it's not really accurate and can make you anxious.

Eat nutrient dense snacks regularly, and I know it's so very hard but try to meditate and relax your body. Stress hormones don't help either of you.

They have you both monitored and baby is likely to arrive early.
Gets lots of warm little hats and blankets for baby, if they are small they can't keep heat. I had a lovely midwife who would tuck her up on my skin for warmth and fold the sheets around us both tucked in so she couldn't fall.

At home I slept next to her, with her in her carrycot next to me in bed so she was next to me but not co-sleeping.
She still climbs in next to me now and she's almost an adult!
Can you ask for extra Doppler scans so you get more monitoring?
Best wishes xx

Thanks for this, it's reassuring to know your DD is OK now, mine is about that weight now so hopefully she will keep growing.

She is active, my first so I don't know what is usual but I feel her moving a lot, she was moving a lot during the scan, the consultant seemed surprised by this and told me to keep monitoring so now I'm paranoid every time she is quiet!

I would definitely ring and ask to see your consultant for reassurance and to make a solid plan.

My baby had growth issues and dropped from 50th to10th but no one said anything to me. It wasnt until my 37 week scan the sonographer looked at me and said baby hasnt grown since 32 weeks. The consultant literally didnt care. Wouldnt do c section or induce me early. I was so scared. Just said wait. I was like why when baby hadnt grown for 5 weeks?? They said well he could still grow in the next week or so. I didnt want to argue and just left in tears freaking out.

Ended up being rushed in a week later with pre eclampsia and baby was born 5lbs 8oz on the 2nd percentile. No fat on him really bless him but perfect otherwise. I'm so annoyed I didnt stand up for myself to the consultant and push for better help esp suffering with severe hyperemesis my whole pregnancy and being on multiple medications and in hospital a lot.

Hes now 18th months nearly and on the 50th percentile.

Please go back for 2nd or 3rd opinion to get the reassurance you need. Stay strong mumma. x

Hi!
I’m currently 35 weeks having regular growth scans and have a baby measuring on 3rd centile.
Consultant has booked me in for a section at 38 weeks now and I have one more scan to see how things are next week.
I have also had bariatric surgery - a gastric band - and wonder if this has something to do with it as my previous baby was a little dot too.
Is this your first xx

My baby was born on the 2nd centile at 30 weeks. He is 10 now and is still on the 2nd centile but has had no health issues at all and is totally fine. Sometimes the best things come in tiny packages

Please don't feel like a failure, although I get that and felt the same.

A good way someone explained it to me is all people are different shapes and sizes and it's no different with babies. I found that quite easy to relate to.

I was having growth scans due to a health condition and it was picked up at our 28w one that my placenta wasn't really working.

I can't remember what all the sizes were at each one, but they eventually decided to bring him to the world at 34w and he weighed 3lb8 and on the 2nd centile. He was perfectly healthy and is now 13months and on the 9th.

Like previous posters said the shock is that they have no fat and just none and saggy skin.

I would definitely follow up with your consultant if you don't feel comfortable. We were always kept really well informed with a plan, even if it did keep changing.

Good luck x

Have a look at the saving babies pathway, it’s clinical guidance for the management of small babies. Between 3rd and 10th centile is considered normal under these guidelines and recommended induction at 39 weeks. Old guidelines used to be under 10th induction at term but new research has shown babies born 37/8 weeks aren’t as mature as previously thought. Obviously it’s a balancing act in the management of small babes.

How were your dopplers?

My little girl was between 5/10th centile ans induced at 37 weeks,5lbs so the 5th centile for her gestation but perfectly healthy. She’s nearly 2 now and in between the 9th and 25th centile, so she’s still petite but sharp as a whip and funny as hell! Your little one will be perfect ❤️

What sort of things are you managing to eat? Could you set a timer throughout the day and every hour eat a spoonful of something like peanut butter, full fat plain yoghurt, a handful of berries, some dates or raisins, an oat bar etc. Small handfuls but very regular to try to keep your calories and energy up? Can you stomach milk or milkshakes?

It must be worrying for you, hopefully once she arrives she'll be absolutely grand and can start to pile on the weight then.

Thanks for the reassurance ladies, it's good to know your babies were ok. I have another scan and consult appointment next week and the week after, hopefully with my normal consultant but either way I'll take my list of questions.

Today I've made a massive effort to eat regularly, every 90 minutes, like the dietician suggested. My blood sugar has been a lot higher, mostly in the normal range and where it dipped it wasn't as low as last week. I'm hoping this will make a difference, its pretty much the only thing I can influence right now. Hopefully if I have more sugar in my blood she will get more nutrition from me.