Growth scan - 35th 16th centile drop, fetal growth restriction?

[miniworry]

Hello ladies,

Just looking for anyone to share some of their experiences after a rotten morning.

I went for my 33 week growth scan and baby has dropped from the 35th to 16th centile. The sonographer was horrible, no kind words during the scan, just 'this is the stomach.. head.. etc..' then at the end said he's not growing well and I've got good pictures so the measurements are right. She then wrote 'fetal growth restriction' on the outcomes section of my letter. Cord flow and fluid levels are fine.

Consultant afterwards in a 5 min appointment just said we will monitor with a ctg and cord flow scan next week followed by another growth scan in 2 weeks.

Ironically I was referred for this scan as midwife last week measured me at over the 90th centile which was a big jump in fundal height (I've attached my growth scan) so I've gone from what I thought was one extreme to the other!

I've done what I shouldn't and googled and now petrified there could be something wrong with baby or that placenta will just fail so looking for any first hand experiences?

Hi there I am a midwife working on the labour ward. There are a lot of growth restricted babies around, most have excellent outcomes. I am sorry you had a rubbish experience with the sonographer and only 5 minutes with the Consultant. The consultant is right with let's monitor and wait approach for the time being as you are only 33 weeks. The main risks with growth restricted babies is the risk of stillbirth. Keep track of your baby's movements and don't hesitate to call your maternity assessment unit for advice if they are reduced or any other concerns. You may be offered an indication of labour around 37-39 weeks. Sarah Wickham and Rachel Read are both midwives and wrote excellent books on induction of labour, both books are available on Amazon. I hope it helps

@Kosenrufugirl thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it! I will ensure I keep monitoring movement.

My baby was measuring around the 50th centile, then dropped to the 8th, 13th then 8th again. I was scanned every two weeks to check the cord/placenta/fluid. I was told to be very vigilant with his movements and this sent me crazy as I was so paranoid something was wrong.

I had a planned section and my baby was delivered at 38+2 and weighed 6lb 9oz so actually was an average weight and not small like predicted.

@Infertilitylife thank you so much for sharing your story! I'm so pleased that your baby was a nice weight in the end!

That's exactly how I feel now they've told me to be extra vigilant about movement, I think I'm going to drive myself mad with paranoia about them!

Do try to enjoy the test of your pregnancy as much as you can. I have seen plenty of babies induced at the 8th centile. They usually do very well. We sometimes induce babies on the 3rd centile at our hospital. Any smaller than that - I think women get offered a CS. Have you had a look at the Induction of labour books I recommended earlier? They are small and easy to read.

@Kosenrufugirl thank you, I will really try but think it will feel the longest 2 weeks before the next growth scan 😫 we are currently the 16th centile but will see if that drops more! I am down to have an ELCS following my previous section so I would assume they would still deliver this way?

We were told DS looked like he had restricted growth at 29 weeks, then the cord flow scan the following week also indicated low oxygen. I got steroid injections to get his lungs developed and expected to have to deliver him 3 days later. The scan before delivery showed no problems and, many check-up scans later, he arrived at 39 weeks a fair bit above average size. It was horrendously stressful, even more so because our extra scans were due to a previous loss. The scans can be very inaccurate!

My DD1 dropped down the centiles at every scan until she was 9th centile at 37w. I was advised to have an induction at 39w, which i accepted, but she was born spontaneously at 38w. She was 5lbs 12oz in the end so she was a little one! She had some health issues at birth (nothing to do with her growth restriction - she had an infection) but now is a healthy and thriving 75th centile (height and weight) 2.5yrs old. As pp have said, make sure your bag is packed and keep an eye on movements. Don't be afraid to go back to be checked if you have any concerns.

@CrispAppleStrudels @Hiddenawaytoday I'm so so pleased that your little ones' are happy and thriving despite the growth restriction, this makes me feel better! Did they ever tell you what caused it?

Apologies I didn't realise it's your 2nd child. All the best with the rest of your pregnancy and delivery

In my case, my BP had always been on the higher side (although not technically "high") and when my waters broke, it suddenly went REALLY high (155/110). Plus, at the scan, the sonographer said that there was high pressure in one of the uterine arteries? So the suggestion was that there might have been something going on with both those things might have been a factor? Currently pregnant with DC2 and also having the same uterine artery readings, so preparing myself that it might be the same again. But we will see!

@miniworry In our case the growth scan was almost definitely inaccurate, since all the following ones showed a good size and normal growth. With the flow scan, the blood was going faster in his brain than through the cord (if I remember correctly). We were told afterwards that it can indicate that the baby isn't getting enough oxygen, but can just happen if they have just been very active just before the scan. So we just got two false alarms. He's 5 and perfectly healthy now.

Hi
my friend has a similar experience and was monitored throughout the pregnancy. She was induced at 37 weeks due to concerns over growth, her baby was born 4lbs 11 but perfectly healthy. I’m 40 weeks today and have had regular growth scans which have pretty much been up and down, also like you had a rubbish experience with a sonographer and requested not to see her again. Easy to say but try not to worry, it seems the hospital are on top of your care :)