Reduced growth 38 weeks

[Beeloux]

Hi all,
Currenty 38w3 and booked in for elective section in one week. Fundal height has always measured behind hence have been having growth scans. Baby was measuring 50th centile on first two growth scans, last one had went down to just over 10th.

Had a midwife appointment for today where fundal height was measuring behind again. Within an hour had a phone call off hospital saying I needed to go for ctg monitoring asap and back for a growth scan tomorrow.

Was wondering if anyone had had a growth scan so close to due date and if I should expect for c section to be brought forward/kept in if baby is still measuring small or has reduced in growth even more? Obviously no one can say for sure but just want to be prepared as possible.

Thanks in advance!

No advice but currently measuring 10th centile at 29 weeks and last baby born at 39weeks on 3rd centile so going to follow this thread.
I was told if baby drops in growth an earlier induction may be considered, fingers crossed for you.

And ps. My 3rd percentile born son had no developmental issues and is now very nearly as tall as me and a well built 12 year old 😀 I think he'd caught up in growth by 4 months old!

2 of my kids were measuring small at 36 week scans. 1 the Docs brought the induction forward a week from 38w to 37w. He was born 37.2 and was 9th percentile. Although small, perfectly healthy. The other still small but again born healthy, granted by emergency c-section but only after a failed induction at 38weeks. As long as your hospital bags are packed and you’re organised as can be, just focus on you and staying as stress free as possible and getting that baby in your arms. Try not to worry 💐

@Belle89 thank you!! Will update tomorrow how it goes. Thankfully have childcare covered for ds just incase but not sure weather to take my essentials hospital bag along just incase :) All the best with the rest of your pregnancy xx

@Onetwobuckeroo thank you! Hospital bags all ready, it’s a bit of a hike to get to the hospital from mine as don’t have a car so wondering weather to take an essentials hospital bag along with me just incase :)

Maybe a rucksack / small hold-all bag, like if you were boarding a flight. Take a toothbrush, a nightie, a spare pair of knickers and your phone charger? That way if you do have to stay in, someone can then bring the rest of your stuff later on? Good luck x

All my Dc were tiny and measured small throughout. Dc3 however, measured tiny at 38 weeks, growth had all but stopped. It was only picked up by chance and a very good midwife in a clinic who measured me and wasn’t happy. I was sent for immediate scan, then immediate monitoring whilst they found a space on ward for me. I hadn’t bought a bag or anything. I was sent home but back at 7am next morning for monitoring, induction and possible emergency C-section if necessary. It was very stressful, took 4 more days of monitoring as ward closed due to staff/space etc. Dd finally arrived at 39+ weeks, 4lbs10oz, 0.2 centile. She spent a week in NICU, and a week in transitional care for infection, jaundice & feeding. She’s 6.5, still tiny unlike siblings but perfect & healthy. Try not to worry, go prepared, bag lots of stuff to read, phone etc for monitoring as it can get quite dull.

They'll be checking the blood flow and pressure through the cord as part of the scan. If they identify a material issue they may whip baby straight out as it can be a sign that the placenta is failing.

I would definitely take enough stuff with you to see you through until someone can drop you a bigger bag to you if needed. But really a phone charger, book, a few snacks, toothbrush, a few nappies and baby grows and some lip balm would be sufficient unless you envisage any problem getting more stuff dropped to you.

Thanks all, hopefully goes well today. Have a horrible chest infection so I’m hoping he will stay in a bit longer, don’t fancy coughing my guts up with a ton of stitches 😅 xx

Hope it went okay today

@Zippedydoodahday thankyou! All went good, baby was measuring closer to 50th centile so an increase from last time and they had no concerns 😊

Just preying this chest infection clears before the c section! Xx

That’s good news OP!

If you’re still coughing when you have the c section, take a bed pillow to hospital with you. Hold it across your tummy if you need to cough. Helps a lot.