Potential IUGR

[EllieJai44]

32 weeks pregnant, having regular growth scans (every 2 weeks so far).

-28 weeks scan baby was on 50th percentile
-30 weeks scan baby was in-between 25th and 50th percentile
-32 weeks scan baby is now at 10th percentile

Had my next consultant appointment brought forward because of the decline in growth and my next scan brought forward from 3 weeks time to 2 weeks time (expected this one).

I have no idea what the consultants will say or do and I have another week to find out!

Has anyone had anything similar? I've had two previous babies who were on slightly smaller size when born, both in 6lb range, both also had growth tail off a bit towards end but not this early or this dramatic on the graphs.

Both previous two were induced at 37 weeks for growth and movements, but was going to opt for c-section this time due to traumatic induction that ended in emergency c-section last time!

Sonographer mentioned possible IUGR even though baby weight relatively okay, just a little small but it's the growth in between scans they are worried about....

If you had IUGR or suspected IUGR what plan was put into place and when did you deliver?

I’m not enjoying the constant watching and waiting. I’m trying to tell myself that this is how every pregnancy ends, but I’d rather be sitting at home interpreting every twinge, not going back and forth to the hospital.

How are you both doing?

@Moancup is this your final week? Fingers crossed you’re feeling good!!the waiting is just weird. There’s only so many times I can pack and unpack a hospital bag. I feel too weird putting baby clothes In there, like it will tempt fate and a long nicu stay. So my house still has all the baby stuff hidden in cupboards, under beds etc. my doctor just got Covid… so she was meant to go on holiday starting Tuesday for 2 weeks, now I don’t know, so if I make 37 weeks maybe she will be here after all. I just laugh at this point. The complete lack of control over the situation is just mind blowing. Hope you’re both coping!!

We had hoped next week (37) would be the final week but the consultant said on Friday that was optimistic.

I’m going to go in for a quick movements check this morning as I’m not very happy with them. I had such an anxiety free time for the first 32 weeks, and now I’m making up for it!😒

@Moancup keep us updated hope everything is okay!
When you're so close and something changes, you don't know what will happen as the doctors can change their mind at a drop of a hat and chose to deliver you! Hopefully you can make it to 37 weeks but I know quite a few babies born at 36 weeks and done just as well as a full termer!

I'm just trying to pass the time to my consultant appointment on Wednesday- going to really push for a plan and a date, even if it's an induction date for in the 37th week and that could change depending on the scans, but I want something to work towards- still wanting a section but not sure they will agree 🤷‍♀️

@Moancup how are you getting on? Hope all is okay!

Well I’m being induced tomorrow now. The Dawes Redman check was fine but they sent me up to foetal medicine afterwards and the consultant did a full rescan and wasn’t happy, with pretty much anything tbh.

I really want to try for vaginal birth which they’re supporting, but it’s been made very clear that there’s a high chance of it not working or baby going into distress and needing an emergency c section anyway.

Has your hospital made you feel like a c section is in doubt? I’ve seen three separate consultants now, all with slightly different approaches, but all have made clear they’d bite my hand off if I asked for a section from the off.

@Moancup well that's both exciting and scary! How are you feeling? They will monitor you closely through the process and any signs of distress they won't mess around!

What wasn't fetal medicine happy with? Did you get an estimation of babies size?? Take tonight to eat something really yummy, treat yourself, go shop get lots of snacks in for the hospital- recommend get some coke as I found helps loads with any feeling sick that might happen!
I'll be thinking of you and wishing you all the luck and can't wait to hear of the new arrival!

@Moancup also every doctor I've spoken to so far seems keen to do sections at 39 weeks so I'm not sure,
I'm definitely asking for a plan to be made on Wednesday regardless, I need something to work towards, even if its an induction date, I'll take it at this stage!

The consultant wasn’t happy with the amount of growth over the past three weeks and doesn’t think there’s any point keeping him in. He’s estimated at 4lbs 3oz. She’s concerned by my Doppler readings and amount of waters. I do kind of getting the feeling one of her colleagues may have been happy to keep going a a bit longer and her default stance is better out than in by this point. But I have agreed.

I’m feeling completely overwhelmed, I hadn’t even packed my bag!

@Moancup you're far enough along that he may do better out than in! They say they do gain really quickly on outside!

Take your time to pack- do you have an asda near you? I'd highly suggest their preemie range, my just 6lber fitted into it in his first week so it's fairly roomy! If you can get any tonight?

@Moancup glad you know it is finally officially happening. Sending all the good luck your way, please let us know how you get on. I'm so excited for you, and to be done with this pregnancy :).

@EllieJai44 There is one specialist who deals with this at my hospital, and he has said from the off that there is no benefit to keeping a IUGR baby in after 37 weeks, so I won't be allowed to go past that point. It is interesting how it differs depending on who you have then! My OB who will supposedly do the surgery (but now has covid, so who on earth knows), has been very hesitant to agree to a c section, even though she did say a natural birth can be very stressful for IUGR babies so they are recommended. As she has covid, I get to meet with her backup tomorrow. I'm hoping to talk the backup into scheduling the operation so I at least have something booked and it isn't a mad last minute rush. My doctor knows that we had an easy fast birth 2 years ago with my DD, but she left as soon as it was over, and didn't know about the 18 days at the NICU with a tiny preemie, collapsed lung, inability to eat more than 5ml of food at a time, and being on breathing tubes for the first 2 weeks. I feel like because they don't see that, maybe they don't realise how badly that affects the families. The specialist has outright said that due to low fluid my baby won't flip, so to me the C section is inevitable, even if the OB doesn't want to hear it.

@madeleine85 sometimes I wonder with these consultants if you have to be fairly strong with them, like you say they don't necessarily see the latter effects, I know maternal choi e has become a bigger thing recently- obviously within reason but if the evidence supports your choice then they have less reason to decline

@EllieJai44 i'm beginning to think so. Please let us know how you get on with your appt on Wednesday, hopefully much better than when you were last in, and you aren't dealing with the idiot consultant (I think that was you who had one)!

@madeleine85 same with you and your appointment tomorrow! 🤞

Our little boy had IUGR , he is now 15 weeks old.
He was 70th percentile at 20 weeks, 50th at 28 weeks, 26th at 30 and gradually reduced down to 3rd percentile at 36+4. I had a caesarean at 36+6 after 2 doses of steroids. No need for NICU however he did have problems latching.
He was under the first percentile in weight when born, but has caught up amazingly and is now on the 40th percentile and thriving.
We are still awaiting the placental analysis results back but on examination they said the cord was thin and doppler studies were showing increased resistance.
It's a scary time and I wish you all the best.

@Nursey94 glad your little boy is doing well! They say IGUR babies catch up really well afterwards!

Can I ask a few questions if okay? Just as your experience is so so similar percentile-wise to my little girl!

-when did they pick up any issues? Did you have extra consultant appointments?
-did they put in extra monitoring?
-did they mention earlier delivery at all?
-was it the 36 week scan you had that decided the section early?

• how much did your little boy weigh when born?

Sorry just trying to see what roughly I need to prepare for lol
Midwife I spoke to said once they decline they tend to continue, it's rare for them to pick up but can possibly happen

So I kept going in with reduced movements so the downward trend was picked up properly from 30 weeks. I had 2 weekly scans from 26 weeks onwards, and when he dropped massively I was referred to fetal medicine unit. Fetal medicine saw me at 30 weeks and they said they wanted me to get to 39 weeks ideally but if he kept dropping we'd prepare for an early birth, and they told me anything after 32 weeks they could 'deal' with. (Probably not the right phrase!) They decided there and then at the 36 week scan for the c section (he was also footling breech) as the drop was so dramatic over the previous 2 weeks and placental resistance was high.

I was probably seen about 4 times in total by consultants but every time I went in and especially after the 36 week appointment they made a very strong point to be aware of movements and if I had any concerns at all to go in. When I was there on the Sunday ready for my section, he had one of his 'episodes' where he didn't move for hours and was not having any variations on the CTG so was prepped for cat 1 c section but luckily baby started fluctuating on CTG and his heart rate increased just as my partner walked through the door! So I was just monitored for the remaining 8 hours as they really wanted the full 48 hours for the steroids to work, but once I was bang on 48 hours I was taken down.

He was 5lb 4oz when he was born and then dropped to 4lb 15oz, he stayed at 4lb 15oz for just over a week and didn't put on any weight at all so we were being seen by midwives daily.

Midwives helped with colostrum harvesting and we tried breastfeeding but as his latch was rubbish I pumped instead and fed him through bottles.

I am probably biased but you honestly wouldn't know now that he was IUGR etc. He is a proper chunk, so smiley and content and loves to keep his parents up all night (hence the rambling messages!).

@Nursey94 I've been in 3 times for reduced movements so far- last 2 times have been in last 2 weeks, I'm hoping consultants will put some extra monitoring in

Bless him! They definitely keep us on our toes haha

Oh they do!
Obviously terrifying but would do it all again in a heartbeat for him.
Feel free to message if you have any more questions or you just need to worry to someone who has been through it!
I just didn't realise how small a 5lb baby was, he looked like he could snap in two.

Todays update for me really was no update… the morning stress test was fine but amniotic fluid is dropping 1cm a week roughly. I’m at 4.5cm and normal is 15-20cm. The younger doctor was much more positive on a c section though still hasn’t scheduled it, and even talked about putting a coil in at the same time if they get it in time. I think the plan is to wait for Fridays specialist visit to see if he recommends 36 or 37 weeks for the section given low fluid. If we can make 37 weeks, that would be great. Is even be happy to go back in for an iv again to top up fluid levels if they think it would help. @EllieJai44 please let us know how yours goes, fingers crossed, and @Moancup i hope your section went well and you’re enjoying bonding with your little one!

@madeleine85 just got off phone from doctors- have to try and go in daily for CTGs, mainly due to movements being reduced a few times and also being so busy with my other 2 I can't keep up with a pattern- then if babys growth doesn't decline anymore we will get the section in my 37th week and if babys growth declines or CTGs show something then may be sooner 😬 so that means i have like 4 weeks maximum left

@Moancup hope you are doing well!

@EllieJai44 sorry you have to go in daily, but glad they are keeping a close eye on you. Is your local CTG place close by? I hope so. I'm in a similar boat re. reduced movements, some days I feel very little (anterior placenta, also chasing another child etc). I did get a home doppler but I know that is a big thing we're not meant to do, though I told my doctor and she didn't chastise me at all for it which was odd. 4 weeks is so exciting, nice to know you're in the final stretch! I'm on the daily countdown now. 13 max! Really hoping that Friday's specialist lets this one stay in till 37&0, as that would be a great feeling on my part, but i'm just going to have to go with what he says.

@madeleine85 it's about half an hour away so not horrendous but not local as such- I have a home doppler but I just go in for movements now, well now I'll be in daily haha

Hoping we make 37 weeks also but I have a feeling the growth will have dropped again so probably be earlier which is scary! Haha wonder if we will be similar timings! Can go through it together haha

@Nursey94 I forgot to tag you in my update earlier xx

DS arrived today by c section. 4lb 6oz at 36+2. The doctors talked me out of induction yesterday but couldn’t deliver anyway until a NICU cot was available. He’s over there now, which has been tough as I was kept in bed for six hours and it’s still difficult to get there independently. Feeding is tricky but I’m trying not to stress about it.

@Moancup congratulations!!! I’m so happy your little one is here safely. Is this your first nicu experience? My DD was 4lbs 14oz, missed the cutoff by 1oz and went there. Though this one right now is tracking to be around the size of yours, so it’s inevitable. I’m really dreading seeing the nicu again. The doctors and nurses truly are miracle workers but it’s a very frustrating emotional experience. If you need anything at all please reach out. Hope you’re feeling ok after the section x