Slow growth in 3rd trimester

[crimblecrumbles]

I've had just been for a second growth scan (35 weeks) and baby's growth has slowed down. She has dropped from being around 30th percentile to the 10th. Fluid and blood flow in cord seemed fine. I've been booked in for a scan next week to check the fluid again and then week after to check baby growth.

Baby's head was really low during scan and they said they were struggling to get an accurate measurement. Also her legs were tucked up and squashing her tummy which made measuring tricky. I'm hoping that could have caused some discrepancies? I am quite petite but this is my second baby. First was born 60th centile.

I stupidly googled drop in fetal percentiles etc and discovered all sorts of potential reasons like chromosome problems which has really panicked me.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I'm in such a panic and fearing the worst. It's going to be a long 2 weeks until I have a proper update 😞xx

Hi OP, I've had similar but from around 28 weeks when it was discovered baby was on 12th centile. They then dropped down to 9th at 34 weeks. I've been having regular scans, with growth and doppler scans on alternate weeks. Once baby was under the 10th they also added in twice weekly CTG monitoring and this went to daily after an episode of reduced movements! It's my first baby so I have nothing to compare to like you, although all babies are different so I wouldn't get too worried by your last being on the 60th. I actually had my 36 week growth scan yesterday and baby has gone up again to the 12th centile. I'm seeing my consultant this morning, so we'll see what he says. He has previously recommended a section as "smaller babies don't tend to do well with inductions" and for it to be around 38 weeks, although I've received my date for 39+1, so I'm going to query that this morning too. I'm not bothered particularly as I was down for an elective section anyway, but clearly not everyone will feel like that. Please try not to worry too much, some babies are just smaller. They'll be keeping a good eye on you. X

@lawandgin thanks so much for your reply, it's good to know others are in the same boat and reassuring to hear your baby has gone up again. I've had such an easy pregnancy until this point and now feel sick with worry! I might go in for ctg monitoring just to cover all bases. She is moving about but now I'm second guessing myself about how much is normal! X

There's no harm in monitoring, but probably worth discussing with your midwife or consultant first as if you keep going in with reduced movements it can have knock on consequences! My consultant has moved my section forward to 38+3 (which was the first available slot) but is going to try and get me in before that if there are any cancellations! In the meantime I am to continue twice weekly monitoring. I will be interested to see what size baby actually comes out as apparently the scans can be 15% wrong either way!

@crimblecrumbles forgot to tag you 🤦‍♀️

I had growth scans throughout my pregnancy. She dropped from 50th centile to 25th centile and then down again to 9th centile between 20w, 28w and 36w. Im 5'9 and DH is 6'2 so we are by no means petite people. I was booked to be induced at 39w but in the end DD was born at 38w and was 5lbs 12oz so classed as small for gestational age. No real reason as to the drop in size, however i did develop gestational hypertension at the end of my pregnancy and had been taking asprin since 12w as i was high risk for preeclampsia, so i suspect it was related to my BP.

DD is now 9months and had a tough start. She had issues feeding, reflux and dropped to below 0.4th centile. Since weaning, she's back to between 9th and 25th centile and it seems to be a more natural place for her to settle. She clearly takes after more distant relatives than DH and i!!