Static growth at 37 weeks

[MamaRS]

Hello all,
Just hoping to hear if people have gone through something similar. I have read the other threads but I suppose just looking for support. I'm a first time mum, I've had a smooth pregnancy so far, no issues at all, no risk factors. I went in for my 37 week antenatal appointment at 37+2 and I am still measuring 34cm, same as my previous 34+5 week appointment. I am so worried. Midwife said she is booking a scan for me, I haven't had this through. And I'm meant to be moving up to Aberdeen within the next few days due to hubby's new job and would prefer not to travel with a newborn baby. Everything has been fine so we weren't too worried about making the trip up at 38 weeks.
Thank you in advance.

Any advice, similar stories and what I should expect would be very helpful xx

Bump measurements are very unreliable - you could get 2 midwives measure your bump and get completely different measurements between them both. Which is why they then send you for a scan as its a little more accurate - it's all very common at this point in pregnancy - in fact I don't know anyone who hasn't had to go for a growth scan! Try not to worry x

Bump measurements are very unreliable - you could get 2 midwives measure your bump and get completely different measurements between them both. Which is why they then send you for a scan as its a little more accurate - it's all very common at this point in pregnancy - in fact I don't know anyone who hasn't had to go for a growth scan! Try not to worry x

don't worry! I had this - fundal height just flatlined from 32 or 34 weeks. They did a scan and were happy enough but said they would have made plans to induce if I were not already booked in for a c-section due to breech position.

My baby was born 6lb4oz, so smallish but perfectly healthy (and I was 6lb13 so I think she'd always have been somewhere around there). Apparently she was very wedged bottom-down in my pelvis so that may have affected the fundal height.

They will probably look at blood flow to the placenta to see if that's failing. But there is no definite cause for alarm at the momenta and fundal height is not necessarily an exact science. You are in the best place and the scan will be helpful in dictating next steps - whatever happens, your baby is term and big enough to be totally find if it does arrive early, although I appreciate with the move it is not ideal. Wishing you all the best of luck.

Thank you so much for your message xxx my midwife was the same one though

Thank you so much for sharing your experience it has definitely helped me xxx
Yes I'm hoping they send the scan through soon and they tell me everything is okay.
Thank you for the reassurance and support ❤️❤️

Had similar fundal height hadn't changed towards end of pregnancy got sent for another scan but as I hadn't had one since 20 weeks there was no way to plot inbetween. Even sonographer said it was unreliable. They said she'd be 7lb 4 at that scan and she came out bang on 6lb healthy and no issues.

i had the same scenario with bump not growing from 31 to 34 weeks. The first growth scan measured baby on 50th centile, however my bump continued to measure small so I had more scans at 36 and 38 weeks. Growth had stopped off and he was born at 39 weeks weighing 5lb 8 on the 2nd centile but perfectly healthy. So the scans aren’t always wrong but at 35 weeks your baby is well developed - in hindsight my DS should have been delivered earlier but there was confusion over the measurements - if they are concerned at all they will monitor you more closely and induce you early if needs be. The scans will also check blood flow through the cord and placenta as if these are failing they may decide baby is safer out than in.

I also haven't had a scan since 20 weeks.
Did they have to induce you or because your scan was all normal you could just go back to routine appointments? Did you have to have scans after that one?
Thank you so so much for sharing xx

Thank you so much for your insight and sharing your story. Did they have to induce you?

@MamaRS yes I was induced at 39 weeks although in hindsight the consultant said they should have done it at 37 weeks. I had a c section as baby was become distressed from the induction but it was fine, not a dramatic emergency.

Also after the first growth scan when baby measured on 50th centile I was discharged back to my midwife, it was only when bump continued to measure no growth that I had to have follow up scans.

@MamaRS Oh and my midwife was really surprised that her measurement had been accurate, she said most of the time it’s not and the scans are just a precaution! I could actually tell I wasn’t getting any bigger as well. Hopefully it works out fine for you and baby has just moved position or the midwife measuring is off!

Have you already contacted a hospital in Aberdeen?

My bump didn’t grow for 6 weeks. I was measuring 29 cm at 32 weeks until I had my son at 38. Had scans every two weeks and whilst he was smaller he was still following his curve. Hope all works out for you x

Did you have to be induced?

@MamaRS after the scan I was offered an induction but still had 2 weeks to go. There was no medical reason from the consultants, we used our EBRAN from antenatal and decided not to go ahead. Even the midwife saw no reason to be induced then. Went into Labour naturally a few days before due date.

Nobody has do anything. If your baby is found to be small for gesational age or growth restricted at term, induction will be recommended. In some cases, a caesarean. Whether you choose to do that is up to you.

I recommend that you contact the hospital in Aberdeen after your scan and book there as soon as you can. You may have to consider that it is safer to have the baby where you are and delay the move until baby has been discharged from midwifery care at around 2 weeks old.

I had worsening pre eclampsia so had a c section at 38 weeks x

Thank you for your post. Yes I have called and spoken to the midwives and sent in all my info for gp surgery but neither can do anything until I am there. They have just said if I go into labour I should call triage and they will advise further.
Yes ofcourse I'm aware until I have reassurance from my scan and everything is okay I would not move.

Now, if I really had to, I would keep the new team continually informed and move still pregnant and literally go straight to a booked inducation in Aberdeen.

I know this can happen with good continuity of care because I often have to do things like this for women with high risk pregnancies who need to flee their homes for one reason or another.

The new hospital cant be arseholes though and have to rely on assessments from other places. Some are brats about that.

Yes once I have had my scan will know better what to do.
They are not willing to even really take any details as I'm not there yet.
Thank you for your advice, hopefully things will go well with scan.

I’ve been measuring small (bump and baby) all through my pregnancy and no one has had a conversation with me about induction if that puts your mind at ease. I’m under care of the team in Aberdeen and have to say I’ve had extremely positive experiences all through my pregnancy, currently 39+2.

At my appointment last week my bump was measuring the same size as it was two weeks prior. No concern from the midwife. I’ve already been having extra scans for growth but didn’t get one booked this time, I suppose because I’m so close to the end and I consented to a sweep at the appointment due to being a bit dilated already. I’m back again on Thursday and I can see that my bump hasn’t grown again but baby is moving loads and heart beat was perfect last week so would be surprised if that’s changed.

Feel free to send me a message if you’d like any information about Aberdeen maternity.

@MamaRS they are more concerned if your baby starts dropping centiles as it can indicate they’re not getting what they need from you to grow. If baby is just small but growing they will be less concerned.

I had similar situations, which was due to the baby constantly changing positions. She loved lying across my belly somehow, which made my belly more "flat," so it measured smaller.

Hi my fundal height was never measured as I was having regular growth scans. They picked up during my 36 week scan they noticed baby’s growth had tailored off the path it was heading and the blood flow in placenta was high. I was booked in for an induction the following week and baby was born at 6lb. The scans will give the most accurate picture for growth as fundal height measurements aren’t always accurate. Good luck with everything and hope you have a healthy remaining of pregnancy and delivery of your baby