Little fetal growth between 34w and 36w scan?

[katerose2022]

I've been having regular growth scans due to GD and low-lying placenta. Just had my 36w scan today and it was noted that the abdominal circumference actually dropped in absolute measurement vs the 34w scan, and apparently dropped more than 30 percentile. Head circumference barely increased either. As a result, the estimated fetal weight only increased by about 6oz during these two weeks. Placenta and AFI results were fine.

The consultant found the measurements a bit odd and asked me to go back in 1w for another doppler check of placenta and fluids, and another growth scan in 2w at 38w.

Just wondering if anyone had similar experience and what was the outcome please? Thanks a lot!

If baby isn’t growing I’d expect them to deliver early, probably at 38 weeks.
Are you resting ? I found mine grew when I stopped work and rested.

I had this. Had the Doppler at 37 weeks and all was good with that. Baby was born then at 38 weeks before I had another growth scan. 7lb9 so a fairly decent weight.

Agree with pp, try to rest and eat well.

Thanks @DustyLee123 @fku for the comments and advice. I think I've been resting and eating well. I'm currently wfh and work is relatively quiet around summer, so I go and have a nap whenever I can during the day.

I'm quite petite (just under 5ft and underweight to start with), so the baby weight estimate (2.5kg at the moment) is measuring 17 percentile, but 55 percentile on my own GROW chart.

Yes, I had a low lying placenta and vasa previa with a velamentous insertion. Because of the insertion, the baby was cutting off some of his blood supply, so he was growth restricted. Delivered at 36w but did very well.

Update: Consultant called again today saying that she still doesn't think my scan results made any sense, so she's arranged another scan with FMU on Monday. If baby growth has indeed stalled I'll have to deliver at 37w which is next Thursday! I read it up elsewhere and found that it is indeed the protocol that if you are past 34w and have slowed/static growth, should be induced by 37w.

In slightly panicky mode now.... will be scrambling over the weekend to get my hospital bag ready...

I had this and ended up being induced at 38wk but due to pre-eclampsia and waters starting to go- my DD was 5lb 2oz but I'm 4ft 8 and they basically said she had ran out of room to grow. I'd starting having growth scans due to a big jump in my measurements but then she started measuring smaller but they weren't worried as everything else was fine and said my height could be effecting it. She's now 17mo and perfect height/weight so I wouldn't worry to much lovely x

Good luck OP! Some babies do just need out, and usually do really well once able to get their calories from milk.

If you’re planning to breastfeed it might be a good time to start thinking about colostrum harvesting if you haven’t already.

I had growth scans with my daughter, she wasn't growing well apparently. I started having contractions at 36+6 and it was on the day of my growth scan. My consultant scanned her at 5lb 13oz... gave me a sweep to hurry things along seen I was 3cm dilated, I returned that night and have birth to a 5lb 8oz tiny baby who is now 10. Try not to worry xx

Get yourself prepared to go into hospital, but also remember that growth scans / measurements can be (very) wrong. The circumference actually reducing sounds as though you may have had someone who over-measured on your earlier scan, and/or under-measured on the latest one. Or your baby could have been in more awkward positions to get an accurate measurement. So could just be a case of mistaken measurement, but better to be ready just in case you do need to be induced. Hope all goes well for you either way :)

Thank you all for the kind comments! Will see how it goes on Monday with FMU.

No they haven't mentioned to me about colostrum harvesting yet. I was reading on other threads that colostrum may not start coming out till 37w... Will ask them this on Monday too.

Back from FMU scan with a drastically different picture of the baby: AC now measures 35mm higher than four days ago (percentile went from 46% to 92%), HC also 30mm higher, from 33% to 83%. EFW now 3.1kg (66%) instead of 2.5kg (17%)...

Consultant very happy with it, though now the question is kicked back to me how I want to deliver as the baby is measuring over 90 percentile on my own GROW chart... He'll need to be born by either c-section or vaginal birth by 39w otherwise will get too big. One way or another I'm happy that he gets to stay in for a bit longer (though it doesn't make my life any easier!) Will decide the mode of delivery at my 38w scan and appointment.

Thank you all again! :)