Induction at 37 weeks 10th percentile

[Isma23]

Hello,

I would like some advice please as I am pregnant with my first baby. I have had a growth scan at 31 weeks and baby’s weight was 23% percentile. I had another one at 37 weeks + 4 days because I feel her movements are less strong than before and percentile dropped to 10%. The doctor told me I need induction the day after urgently. I called the day after for them to tell me there are no beds available and that I should call later. They called me to say there are still no beds available but that I should come for a doctor to see me. When I saw the doctor (another one) he actually said that there is no issue with growth. He verified the flow to the brain and through the cord and said as for today baby is fine and we can skip induction today but he can schedule me for induction tomorrow… he said according to him induction is not necessary and that I may come everyday for monitoring if i have concerns about movements and come for a scan in 2 weeks. So basically they are throwing the ball in my court. Now I don’t know what to do, do I wait or do I go for induction tomorrow? How can we go from “ you need urgent induction to you can come and we monitor you and check again in two weeks” . I am lost, i have to give them an answer as to accepting induction or not by tomorrow 8.30…

Thank you @Thack. Latest update, I went to my growth scan and baby is actually 14 percentile today so induction is out of the picture for now. My due date is in 3 days, I hope I will go into natural labor.

@Isma23 thats good news. My baby was born on 2nd centile but her growth issues were not picked up until I was 39 weeks anyway. I had several growth scans and all of the sonographer measurements were vastly different (some 50th centile some < 5th centile). I was induced at 39+3 and she weighed 2.5kg. I requested a C-section as I didn’t want the hormone drip and the consultant was fine with it so if you still wanted to push for the section then I would. But if your baby is over 10th centile then hopefully you can have a natural birth.

@Fiftycents thank you for your message. I would like to gonfor c section but I have a lot of people telling me recovery is going to be very hard. I don’t have anybody to help me unfortunetly apart from my husband but he can’t take too much time off from work. I hope I wonmt have to be induced and will be able to give vaginal birth without problem… first time mum and very lonely (hopefully hubby is present but both of us are bery new to this) so I don’t really know what to expect.

Just popping on to say that having a CS isn't always a bad thing. I've had three and bounced back from each one (the last two years ago when I was 40). I appreciate it's not the same for everyone, but it's not necessarily a bad choice.

The recovery in terms of pain was manageable, I found it more frustrating than anything as I couldn’t do much with dd when she was first born. My husband had six weeks off work which helped as he did a lot round the house and did nappy changes etc. But I was walking round Ikea after a few days. I always knew my red line for induction was the hormone drip and due to dd’s size there was a good chance she wouldn’t have tolerated it well.

Hello,

just another update and other questions actually…

i went for my growth scan and baby went up to 14th percentile so she was fine after all 😊. Now I am 40 weeks and I will see my midwife today. I think she will offer a membrane sweep. The issue is that maybe because of my anterior placemta or because I am very anxious, I am always worried about babys movements and get very much stressed when her movements are not as strong.

i think I will ask the midwife to check how my cervix is and if it is favourable for a membrane sweep. If not I think I will ask for an elective c section, I am too scared of being induced specially if my cervix is not favourable.

what do you think?

Is there now a reason that they would induce you though? If baby is back up to 14th centile?

I think you should wait until your baby is ready tbh

They've really put you through it the last few weeks, I feel sorry for you. You don't have to have induction or C-section, your baby with come imminently and your outcomes are much better if you just let things happen.

Also to say my first DD didn't come until 12 days past my due date.. the due date is pretty much obsolete, nobody has a crystal ball to determine when a baby will be ready. Only 5% of babies actually come on their due date, did you know that? Yet we all fixate on it

Is this your first baby?

Given you've asked what I think... 100% wait if you can, if you're happy baby is moving etc. Both my babies were born after 40 weeks.

FWIW I regretted having a sweep with my second but I was being pushed for an induction from 37 weeks (due to antenatal depression so no clinical need as far as my DS was concerned).

I do believe babies come when they're ready. But this is your body and your choice.

You say you are very anxious and stressed lots of time which isn't helping you to go into natural labour. I would discuss your options with MW and see what they recommend now that you are 40 weeks.

Hello,

another update, I went to see my midwife and she said she would rather wait when I am 41 weeks before doing the sweep (tomorrow) and if nothing happens Imthey will suggest induction.

Sounds like you've got a decent midwife

Mine told me to my face, sweeps aren't a form of induction, which is categorically a lie.

Best of luck @Isma23

For what its worth, I had a perfectly healthy baby and still had a planned c-section (for other reasons to do with my medical history). It was great - baby was out in 15 minutes, they took another 30 minutes to sew me back up and then the recovery was a little more difficult but 3-4 days afterwards I felt pretty good (and I am older/not that fit and healthy)! Of my NCT group I was the only one who planned a c-section, everyone else was super keen on a natural birth (also pushed as the best option way too heavily by the NCT leader), and I was literally the only one who had a good birthing experience. Half the group ended up with emergency c-sections that were much more traumatic and the people who really had it tougher ended up with some serious complications around a natural birth like large blood loss, etc. Giving your baby more time to be a bit larger before they come out sounds perfectly sensible - but don't be scared off a c-section by the scaremongering about them that some elements of the NHS offer.

If you prefer an elective c section to a sweep absolutely do that!!

I am a solo mum so didn't even have a partner at home and the recovery from the c-section was fine (I did stay in hospital 3 nights instead of 2 just to make sure given I was home alone after that). You can pick up your baby no problem once you are mobile (e.g. day 2). I even had to take they guy to A&E (false scare caused by the visiting midwife miscalculating his weight gain) by myself in a cab on day 5 and all ok.

Hello ladies,

I refused another sweep yesterday.. but induction is planned on thursday shen I will be 41+3. I still hope baby will come naturally.. still have one day 😅. Midwife said induction may take less time and not end up in emergency c section as it is the end of my pregnancy. I really hope it will be the case. Still confused about if I want to be induced or not. Knowing myself I would be very anxious if I refuse induction again and would think “what if baby is in danger” “ what if it was the wrong decision”. I will ask them to see where I am and if they could tell me if my cervix is favorable for induction, if not I may ask for a c section. Thank you for all your messages.

hello, I am in hospital, I started the induction they have inserted the pessary yesterday and I suffered so much I ended up shivering from pain. I took two doses of morphine but nothing worked. I asked them to stop the induction and asked for a c section. This morning a midwife came and tried to dissuade me from having a c section, asking me if I have a low tolerance to pain which I found not very kind.. she also said that c section is a waiting game and that i will not be priority, even though I am 41+4. I just can’t , I can’t see myself going through days of pain like this woth a risk to end up with an emergency c section anyway. Please advise. I am waiting for the doctor to come… i guess to dissuade me again.

Op, I hope this doesn't sound patronising but get moving! squatting, bouncing on a birthing ball, walking, up and down on your hands and knees. Induction is so much more painful than natural labour (I've done both) encouraging your body to do it itself is the best outcome.

OP, you have every right to a CS. Even if you simply always wanted one and there's no other reason (you definitely have a reason now!) so please don't let anyone try to dissuade you.

I had an induction thst nearly went into its fourth day and it resulted in an EMCS.l which was quite distressing but wonderful when in theatre - the best part of the entire experience. I'm having an elective next time and I don't give a damn about any suggestions to try for a vaginal birth. I was exhausted by the time my labour even started and I really think it impacted on the newborn days so I know what I'd be doing if I were you.

BTW, I tried everything: mobilising, two pessaries, oxytocin drip turned up high so very painful, I had done all the guidance leading up to labour, had sweep attempts inc one in labour.

I will say my body wasn't ready though so you may be more ready than I was!

It's YOUR decision. Good luck.

Honestly if you don't want to be induced then you should be given the option of extra monitoring or a section if the baby needs to come out sooner.

If they are saying you can wait a few days for a semi planned section then that suggests they don't feel that your baby needs to come out immediately (as you say, induction isn't necessarily a quick process either). If the situation with your baby changes and they need to be born faster then they should carry out the section sooner and move you up the priority list, so your baby shouldn't be put at risk if you say no to an induction.

Thank you ladies @Lilac90 , @Beasmum0 @middleagedandinarage 🤍.
I spoke to a doctor who was very understanding and I asked her for a c section. The midwife came back again trying to dissuade me. I just don’t understand. I feel she will be in charge of putting me in the c section schedule, I hope she won’t delay me on purpose…(i think yesterday’s trauma made me paranoid). At least I made it clear I want a c section, I hope recovery won’t be too long.

Can you wait until certain MW ends her shift and you speak with another one in evening shift?

The doctor camd and scheduled my c section for tonight of tomorrow depending on how busy the ward is, I signed a consent form , quite scary but I feel better with this decision. Is it a good one? I don’t know but I really couldn’t cope with yhe pessary. I really don’t like the midwifes attitude.. it is my decision after all. Maybe I am too srnsitive and paranoid but I really do feel resentment.. I will keep you updated🤍 thank u for all your messages and for sharing your good experirnces with c section.

OP, well done for advocating for yourself.

Honestly, my recovery was absolutely fine and bearing in mind my CS was emergency. I have heard recovery from an elective can be easier. I did have some pain which was to be expected with surgery like this but I had strong pain relief and it wasn't so bad. It didn't last as long as the pain from some of my friends' stitches who had vaginal births and tears and even episiotomies in a few cases. I have a practically invisible scar and this was the case just a few months later.

Try not to think about her for now. Just positive vibes for your birth. It'll be wonderful and the baby is nearly here! ❤️