Were you referred for an unexpected growth scan at term for small baby?
My bump measurements have been measuring fairly consistently throughout pregnancy. Last two were done by a different midwife to usual. I was flagged at my 40w appointment for having smaller bump than expected when measured by the tape, but my usual midwife was back by then and she said she does measure small. All have been above 50th centile and the last measurement just dropped below 50th but enough to trigger a growth scan.
I haven’t had any scans since 20w. At that appointment baby was measuring pretty much bang on 50th centile with a slightly smaller femur (my first baby always measured as having a smaller femur too but was fine)
anyway, I was referred to same day growth scan. Sonographer was a trainee under supervision. Growth now flagged as restricted and weight estimated to be 8th percentile!!
abdomen and head measurement both 21 & 25th centile. Femur 8th centile. Baby weight estimated at 6lb8. First baby was born at 8lb5.
sent up for monitoring, which went fine no issues. No issues with movement. Blood flow to cord fine and amniotic fluid fine.
consultant recommends induction asap with the reason that placenta could be failing and we wouldn’t know it. Absolutely will not rescan despite pushing firmly.
my first birth was normal - textbook but not fun. Natural, no interventions or tearing.
one part of me thinks I’m glad they have caught it in case there is truly an issue but the other half of me thinks that if the bump measurement hadn’t been done by separate midwives before this whole thing would have never been flagged.
had an aggressive sweep on Thursday with a bishop score of 7 and 2cm dilated cervix.
went in for monitoring yesterday which was again, fine. Midwives seemed to think induction at this stage should be a case of breaking waters and letting me mobilise and that should be enough.
my other half’s godfather is a retired obstetric consultant. He has very similar views to us and likes to protect natural birth as much as possible so I do trust his views. He said growth scans at this stage are notoriously inaccurate but as I’m a second time mum with an issue free first birth an induction should go very smoothly and that is what he would recommend just in case.
1 - has anyone ever been flagged this late for restricted growth? Was it true restricted growth or inaccurate scan? I see lots about babies scanning bigger but not much about women flagged for small babies so late.
2 - any positive second time induction stories would be greatly appreciated 🩷