Being induced due to size

[Bakedpotatos]

I'm 33w+5d and got told yesterday that I'll be getting induced as baby only weighs 4 pounds 6 ounces. Surely this isn't right, everywhere I've looked that's a normal weight at that gestation?? I'm having growth scans a few times per week and baby has put on 6 ounces since last Friday but they're not happy with this and saying they're booking me in for induction at 37 weeks. No other medical problems or risks, and my first baby was born at a very healthy weight so I'm confused as to why they're suggesting this. I've got to see my midwife, doctor and consultant (all an hours drive apart) tomorrow so I'll be asking questions then. I'm getting blood tests every few days too, no reason why, they just keep booking me. Just feeling very confused as I'm not being told much at all other than he's too small 😫

Should've added that they've put his weight in the 8th percentile, he was in the 10th on Friday so if he drops any more they'll induce me earlier. This was at 2 different hospitals, as I got sent for an emergency heart anatomy scan due to thinking his heart wasn't functioning properly. Turns out it was fine though, heart is perfect. Is it worth getting a second opinion on the induction? Everywhere I'm looking it seems the normal weights for 33w is at around 3-5g

Hey OP I don't have any experience or advice but just wanted to offer some solidarity. I'm 31+5 today and baby is also wee. Two weeks ago they were on the 8th percentile but last week they dropped to the 4th. I've got a call with my consultant today and fully expect to be told I'll be induced at 37 weeks.

Really don't fancy this and I will be asking lots of questions but ultimately accept they're not doing it for fun - it's out of concern for baby. My understanding is that their concerns aren't so much for the weight but the dropping in percentiles. Babies should be following their growth curve (be that the 97th, 50th or 5th percentile) when they start to move off this curve, either up or down, this can indicate a problem.

Today I'm going to ask what exactly the concerns are, what my options are, whether I could potentially go over 37 weeks with daily monitoring, and if so what would be the deciding factor, how successful inductions for small babies are at 37 weeks, what would be the indications for.going earlier and what are the risks to them and me both for being induced and for waiting.

Hi op, just wanted to say if you have questions and concerns ask for a second opinion. Induction isn't the end of the world, lots of people have really positive experiences with it but its important that you feel fully informed and like you've got the answers you need to make a decision as you can refuse induction if you want. I'm pretty sure that my baby was measuring about the same at that stage and we were prepared for a small bub. I had a section in the end because I just wasn't happy with a few things and in the end up baby was well over 9lbs. Last scan estimated 6lbs so it's not an exact science and can be affected by positioning etc. I'd ask to be scanned again and ask for their reasoning.

I had an induction booked for 39w as my DD was dropping centiles. As it was, she was born after I went into spontaneous labour at 38w when i developed pregnancy induced hypertension and my BP was dangerously high. She was born at 5lb 12oz in the end so not as tiny as expected, but still very small.

Ask all the questions you can, but if her

Urgh, the mumsnet website is rubbish at the minute!

The final part of my message said ask all the questions you can, maybe see if you can be monitored again to see if his weight goes back up the centiles between now and then, and then make a decision about whether he would be better out than in - especially as 37w is considered full term anyway.

One of my DC was also induced at around 37 weeks due to concerns over growth - I‘d been getting regular growth scans that had consistently been between the 5th and 10th centile, but when DC stopped growing and dropping centiles they booked me in for an induction.
My understanding is that the main thing they were concerned about was the dropping centiles, as that can indicate problems - if he’d maintained a consistent growth along the centile line he’d been on, they’d have been happy to wait.

As regards the 4lb 6oz weight thing, I was told by my consultant that they do individualised growth charts these days. Not sure what they base it on, but the understanding I had was that what’s considered a good baby weight now varies between individual women.

Dropping centiles can mean the placenta is failing. Babies should follow individualised growth line.

I was induced at 39w and spent 5 days on the induction ward to deliver at 39.6 an 8lb baby.
I wished I hadn't got induced

Speak to your midwife and make your informed choice that is right for you x