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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baby not growing

21 replies

Laurens96 · 08/04/2022 19:53

Hi ladies,
I'm currently 35 weeks and 3 days. I had a growth scan at 32 weeks and they said the baby was small and the pressure in her cord was high. I had another scan last week they said the cord pressure was still high and that she was growing slowly.
I've had a scan today and they've told me baby hasn't actually grown since 32 weeks and her cord pressure is still high. They've said with the pressure being high the cords got to work harder to get the blood flow to the baby which could be why she hasn't grown since 32 weeks.
The hospital have said to monitor her movements and if they slow down or I don't feel her call up and I've got to go up to check her heartbeat as she could stop moving due to the cord problems.
I've told them I can't really feel her move much anyway cuz her cord is at the front so it can he hours and hours between me feeling her move but they've still said to go home and keep an eye on them.
Now I'm feeling stressed cuz I'm not sure we5her I cant feel her because of her cord being in the way or if she's actually stopped moving.
Has anyone had anything similar and can offer some advice? I have another appointment Monday but I honestly think I'll end up calling sooner cuz of the stress of not knowing if she's moving or not and I just can't feel her

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RishisPA · 08/04/2022 19:56

I would honestly go in repeatedly if there’s a period of time you can’t feel her move. Ask for a consultants opinion. Ask about being induced early. Ask about risk if not growing for that long versus risk of early birth. Must be really stressful and sending love but just keep going in whenever you’re unsure. I had reduced movement with my second, went in 3 times late on and was booked for induction the next day, ended up going into labour and having her naturally but the placenta was really bizarre (can’t remember why) and I am glad she was born sooner rather than later.

Glitterazzi · 08/04/2022 20:04

Not got advice other than agree with the previous post, keep calling and don't think you are over worrying or bugging them. Do what is best for you and your baby x

Original poster

Laurens96 · 08/04/2022 20:06

I explained to the midwife in charge of fau today that I cant feel her move much due to her placenta being in the way and she basically said I've still gotta monitor at home and kick count. No idea how I'm meant to kick count when I've said I barely feel her move anyway. OH only managed to feel her once because of the cord being in the way.
I haven't felt her move since around 5 this evening which as I say is normal for her but now I'm worrying cuz they said she could stop moving and I honestly wouldn't be able to tell if it happened.
I asked to talk to my consultant and the midwife told me she was busy and fully booked today so I couldn't talk to her.
I already know the risks and stuff for an early birth. I have twins that were born at 33 weeks and 3 days so know what to expect but this baby has already stayed in longer then what they did x

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Isonthecase · 08/04/2022 20:12

Keep making a fuss and ask for advice in writing. I'd keep going back in to be honest, with staffing levels what they are it really is a case of the squeakiest wheel gets the grease.

RishisPA · 08/04/2022 20:12

@Laurens96 that sounds so stressful and like you’ve been put in a position that YOU have to monitor this baby when that really isn’t fair. Ring them and say you haven’t felt her in 3 hours. When you go in for monitoring say you aren’t prepared to come in daily for 5 weeks (especially if you have twins at home!!). The plan so far is poor- relying on a patients self assessment when they have communicated that is hard to do without any kind of back up or Plan B.

TheSnowyOwl · 08/04/2022 20:14

When I was in that situation I went in daily, had steroids and delivered at 37 weeks but knowing each time I went in for my daily check it could be delivery day.

Don’t worry about making a fuss. Better to go in all the time than your baby die or end up with brain damage because of this.

ocd6 · 08/04/2022 20:20

In your situation when I couldn't feel baby move ever I was put onto daily monitoring. They need to do that until it becomes safer to induce you.

Original poster

Laurens96 · 08/04/2022 20:22

My partner works full time too so I have to keep asking family members to watch my twins while I go up the hospital to then be told the same thing as before to monitor at home. Because her movements are showing up on the monitors they said they aren't concerned but when they're saying she's moving I can't feel it. But if she did stop moving I wouldn't know for a good while.
The midwife said they want to try get to 37 weeks but at the minute I'm 35 weeks and 3 days so it means another 2 and a half weeks of not knowing if she's actually moving cooked with the fact they're saying she already hasn't grown for 2 and a half weeks already x

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Mamathebest · 08/04/2022 20:46

I was in exactly the same position as you with my first pregnancy. Baby hadn’t grown between 32 weeks and 35. The consultant immediately made the decision to induce within a few days. Baby came at 36 weeks exactly. Small but perfectly healthy. At this stage if there is no growth the general advice is better out than in.

I’m concerned that you are only speaking to midwives. Has a consultant actually reviewed/scanned you? In your position I would not be happy with the lack of movement and growth. Please go make a fuss and speak to the Dr in person!

Mamathebest · 08/04/2022 20:47

Also ask what is the rationale for keeping baby in until 37 weeks if there has been no growth?

RishisPA · 08/04/2022 20:54

Sorry I don’t want to patronise but if you’re 35+3 surely it’s 11 days off 37 weeks? Hopefully not too long, and don’t feel bad about relying on family support although could DHs work be more supportive? If it is ‘only’ 11 days I’d question the significance of that short time and perhaps ask for steroids to support their lungs in case you need to be induced early (which could well happen).

Original poster

Laurens96 · 08/04/2022 20:54

Im under a consultant because I've had a csection previously so they've had to monitor my scar. I haven't seen my consultant since the 32 week growth scan. I asked to see her today and the midwife in charge of fau at my hospital said my consultant is fully booked and busy all day so I couldn't see her. Each week I've been told to monitor at hone even tho each week ice said I cant feel her much. Some days I don't feel baby more for 6 hours or more because if where her cord is so I'm really stressing that sonethings going to happen due to her placenta and blood flow pressure and I'm not going to know till its to late.
My OH thinks I should go in tomorrow regardless of if I can feel baby move and refuse to leave to I get to see my consultant but I'm worried I'll end up with security asking me to leave if I kick up a fuss about the consultant and won't be seen then anyway x

OP posts:

RishisPA · 08/04/2022 20:59

I agree with your DH @Laurens96. If you’re calm and polite asking for a consultant review in your position is perfectly reasonable. It could be a different doctor (registrar under your consultant/on call consultant) but you need a senior review and to understand the logic behind the current decisions. Start asking hard questions about the policies and RGOG guidelines they are following- the nurses will soon find a doctor!

SGChome20 · 08/04/2022 21:04

Oh goodness, this is such a stressful situation for you. I did have a similar experience up to the point of second growth scan but I basically got told at that point that I was being induced, I was 39 weeks though which I'm sure made a difference. I would also be querying why they were so desperate to get you to 37 weeks v's the risks of leaving you till 37 weeks. I would keep calling and going in for lack of movement, as you say that's normal anyway. They may be more inclined to induce you/c section if you keep going in.

Original poster

Laurens96 · 08/04/2022 21:06

At this point I just don't see how it's safer for her to stay in when she hasn't grown at all and I cant even feel if she's in distress either. I know there's risks with her coming early as I've had to face those risks before but I just feel its a lot safer then something happening and I don't know until its too late x

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scg18 · 08/04/2022 21:14

I struggled to feel movements because I had an anterior placenta and I had a previous loss due to placenta abruption so I was having weekly blood flow scans.
I think if you are concerned you just go in and while they are doing the ctg you can ask them to speak to the doctor, doesn't have to be your consultant, just whoever is in and voice your concerns.
I know you can't go in daily with twins at home so they should be listening to you and your concerns and if the baby has stopped growing they really should be considering inducing for all of your sake.
Even if it is the middle of the night tonight, just go in and get the reassurance, it is so much better to do that than to worry about what the midwives may think or say, be clear and firm but polite with them, plus they will be different ones now than today due to shift change.
Good luck

Mamathebest · 08/04/2022 21:20

@Laurens96

I agree and I think it’s really unfair to place all that pressure/responsibility on you. The only thing you can do is monitor movements and if that is not possible they should be stepping in now. Even if your consultant is busy there are other doctors/registrars that are there. And if it wasn’t possible they should have given you an emergency appointment with one as soon as possible. I am really surprised that they seem so casual about no growth in over 2 weeks.

What percentile is baby currently on? This would also play a factor I believe. In your position I would honestly not leave unless I’ve spoken to a doctor who can explain the risks and benefits.

Mamathebest · 08/04/2022 21:23

Also, when this occurred to me. I was given an emergency appointment with the consultant (same day) and seen for a further repeat emergency scan that evening. Induction booked in for 2 days later.

Original poster

Laurens96 · 08/04/2022 21:42

I've just had a notification come through on the app I've got an appointment with the consultant but its not until Wednesday. They've haven't said what percentile she's on just that she's not grown since 32 weeks. All her measurements since then are exactly the same on the scans no change at all.
They said that all her movements were fine on the ctg today even I told them I didn't actually feel her moving other then the odd fluttering feeling here and there even tho their graph said she was moving loads x

OP posts:

Mamathebest · 09/04/2022 00:47

@Laurens96
The percentile is normally written on the scan print out. You should have a copy in your baby folder?

Original poster

Laurens96 · 09/04/2022 21:12

They haven't given me any print outs and all my notes are on an app and it doesnt say anything on there about the percentile.
I went to the hospital this afternoon about her movements. She's still moving loads but once again I just can't feel her moving.
A doctor came down to review the scan from yesterday and the fact I cant feel babies movements and said its cuz of her cord being at the front. They said cuz of her cord pressure being high and affecting the blood flow she wants me to jave daily monitoring until the scan on Wednesday then she'll decide if I should be induced early.
I actually feel like I got somewhere today with it being different midwives and actually getting to see a doctor x

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