33 weeks ..Worried 1st Time Mama To Be

[Miamoo134]

Helloo everyone

First time being pregnant here and been so calm up until now!

I was told I had low papp-a earlier in pregnancy and baby seemed to be growing fine anyway so I was keeping calm. Was referred to fetal medicine once before as had a little scare but baby weight bounced back up so that was fine..

Had a growth scan yesterday and they said baby's weights not looking great. I don't know the terminology and don't understand much but Abdo Circ is below 5th centile Head Circ at 5th centile..and something to do with baby's weight is like at 2% and something to do with 2 out of 100 babies. Estimated fetal weight 3 pounds 8. They said to be prepared as pregnancy won't go on past 37 weeks and next week fetal medicine is checking baby over with a thorough scan again and making a decision. Baby is breech for now but they said not to worry about that and if they have to then they will c section to help baby not be distressed.

I guess I'm just looking for words of encouragement. I know every situation is different and things can change completely from now until baby is here but I'm just freaking out. Trying to remind myself that I still have chance to get to 37 weeks where baby will be developed and so many babies are little fighters in NICU who are born super early and tiny too!

Didn't want to read and run so hopefully this bumps for you.

Hoping your next scan goes well and that your little one can hold out until 37 weeks. I don't have direct experience with what you are currently going through, but my advice would be to ask lots of questions, get all the information and make informed decisions with your care team. Make sure they keep you in the loop and if they use terminology or etc that you don't know, don't be afraid to ask them to explain so you have the full picture x

Hi OP, I don't have experience of what you're going through but also didn't want to read and run. A baby born at 33 weeks of gestation has over 95% chances of surviving and also really good chances of growing up without any complications so I would try and cling to these positives. Easier said than done, I know!

As other PP said, ask lots of questions and make sure they explain everything you want to know so you can make an informed decision with your care team.

Sending you a virtual hug and hoping your baby can stay well and strong until 37 weeks x

Hi, this sounds a bit like what I went through with my DS. Had low papp-a and extra growth scans. Took aspirin throughout. He was growing fine but at 32 weeks growth slowed. Growth went back up, then down again. I was induced at 37 weeks, which is classed as full term. He was just below the 2nd percentile at birth, and has recently popped onto the 2nd percentile. He's doing well, a completely healthy baby, he's just small.

2 out 100, 2nd percentile, means if you lined up 100 babies from smallest to biggest, yours would be number 2.

When they say the pregnancy won't go past 37, is it possible they're saying they'd like to induce/C section at dead on 37 weeks? It just sounds like things weren't explained that clearly. Perhaps I was quite lucky, but I felt things were clearly explained, even when I was exhausted from the whole thing.
Apologies if not.