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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baby stopped growing at 32 weeks? Help! Really worried...

21 replies

Bobo23 · 29/12/2008 12:26

I went for a scan last week because my GP was concerned about the rate my baby is growing at.

The scan showed that the FL measurement had slowed right down since my last scan at 24 weeks. All along the baby has been small and its now below the fifth centile.

I had the baby's heartbeat monitored on the CTG test today and its beating fine and there's quite a lot of movement.

They're now saying that they will scan me again on Friday and it might be necessary for me to have the baby early. I've got to have a c-section anyway as I've got fibroids...

They said its unlikely the baby will start growing again (needless to say I've been stuffing my face like a lunatic over christmas to prove them wrong)..

Has anyone got any advice? Stories? Also can anyone tell me what 'UA EDF present' on my notes means?

Thanking you in advance....

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kazbeth · 29/12/2008 14:21

This reply has been deleted

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RuDiegetheRedNosedReinDiege · 29/12/2008 14:34

I know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but think the 'UA EDF present' in your notes is a positve thing. UA means 'uternine artery' and they would have been looking at blood flow from uterus to baby I think. I'm no expert, but have seen these abbreviations in notes before in my job as a medical sociologist, and it seems to be where it isn't present that poses more of a concern in newborns. Hope this helps a bit, and hopefully a sonographer will be along soon with more info

Upwind · 29/12/2008 14:37

Check out my thread here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/premature_birth/662935-Preparing-for-a-premature-baby

There are lots of positive stories from people who have been through similar

At 33 weeks I was sent for a growth scan as fundal height had not changed, I had already been sent for one at 27 weeks which was fine. At the 33 week scan, however, we were told that there had been no change in abdominal circumference since the previous growth scan. And there was very little fluid.

CTG, doppler, foetal movements were all fine but they gave me steroid injections and I've been having a lot of monitoring since then. The fluid levels were the most urgent problem and they went back up. But I would already have had a c-section if a growth scan at 35 weeks had not shown that, contrary to expectations, my baby had somehow resumed growing though it is still very small. I am being very closely monitored with regular ctgs and ultrasounds to check the doppler and fluid levels. All being well, I will have another growth scan at 37 weeks and a decision will be made on the basis of that scan.

When I was first told that my baby had apparantly stopped growing, it was a huge shock. Responses to my mumsnet thread really reassured me. 32 weeks is a good gestation. And you might be lucky, as I have been and get a bit further along.

Have you had your steroids yet?

Upwind · 29/12/2008 14:38

first growth scan was at 28 weeks...

Aitch · 29/12/2008 14:39

this happened to my dd, between 31 and 33 weeks she didn't grow at all, i was petrified. they were checking the blood flow and that was fine, but then my amniotic fluid began to disappear and they sectioned me at 33+6 days.

the whole experience was frightening, of course i'd much rather it hadn't happened, but dd2 was born at 4lbs 1oz, she didn't need oxygen and was with me in my room from the day after she was born (which was actually my fault as my BP went loopy so i couldn't look after her).

she's fine now, still small, but perfect, and has been bloomin' well bfing ALL DAY (growht spurt i think) which is why i've been on MN.

if i can help in any way, shout out. i'll keep looking out for your thread. good luck.

Upwind · 29/12/2008 14:56

Just to add - the suggestion in my case is that one or more of the scans must be wrong because it is so unlikely that babies would start growing again after weeks of "static growth". I am not sure why the obstetricians are so convinced that unborn babies don't resume growth if the only ways to monitor it are ultrasound growth scans and fundal height measurements, both of which may be inaccurate

Original poster

Bobo23 · 29/12/2008 14:59

Firstly - I'm so happy (welling up a bit) to get such warm and informative responses.

The other thread is really useful...

It was really horrible being told about the baby on Christmas eve - myself and my lovely chap didn't have the most cheery of christmasses...

No steroid injections yet - I suppose they'll make a decision on Friday when we see the (nice lady) consultant...

Thanks again women of MN and I'll keep the thread updated!

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Aitch · 29/12/2008 15:02

the steroids are a blooming miracle, really they are. a huge advance.

'course as i type, dh is making me a cup of tea. the same dh who was born 8 weeks early at 3lbs 9oz some thirty-eight years ago with no steroids, and he's a fine figure of a lad.

it's impossible to tell you not to worry, and i'm sorry that you are being robbed of those last few lovely weeks with your boy inside you, but really, they work miracles every day, these doctors.

Original poster

Bobo23 · 31/12/2008 17:30

Just a quick update... have had 3 CTGs and a doppler since last posting.

Since yesterday the movements have slowed down so thats why I've been getting the regular CTGs.

The doppler was fine as was the liquor level but the CTGs aren't quite as lively (accelerations?) as they'd like so I'm going in again tomorrow at 11 am. I'm seeing the consultant on Friday.

The midwife confirmed today that I have IUGR. What are the implications of this for the baby later in life?

Ugh its sooo stressful! My boyfriend has been great but we're both feeling really worn out by this....

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Original poster

Bobo23 · 31/12/2008 17:41

Just to say that the best piece of advice I've found on mumsnet = stay AWAY from Google!!!!

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Original poster

Bobo23 · 31/12/2008 17:52

Someone please come round here and break my fingers to stop me googling "IUGR"!!!!

Anyway much New Years love to all the people in mumsnet land - here's to the soberest New Years eve I've had in 24 years.... Lets hope 2009 is happy and peaceful.

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Upwind · 31/12/2008 22:25

Do NOT google IUGR. Unfortunately a lot of the information out there seems to be for and from people who suffered a still birth and then discovered their baby was IUGR.

You and I have been diagnosed and are being closely monitored with IUGR babies who are doing well. If they were not we would be c-sectioned ASAP! See the stories on my thread, several of these MNers suddenly found themselves having a c-section because the baby stopped doing so well. At this stage your baby is viable and if the experts thought it would be better off in an incubator they would tell you this.

They keep telling me that the objective is to get as close to 37 weeks as possible. All this monitoring is so they can act if things start to go wrong between now and then.

Happy New Year!!!

Aitch · 01/01/2009 12:29

so true, upwind. they want the baby in you only and i mean only until such times as they think the baby is better off in an incubator. the minute they think that tipping point has passed you'll be wheeched into an operating theatre before your feet can touch the ground. (in a good way. )

they really, REALLY know what they're doing, those SCBU docs and nurses. me and dh went to meet them and get a wee tour round SCBU when we realised things were going tits-up, it was actually very comforting. you just know that staff love their jobs. you are being monitored, they WILL look after you and your baby.

Original poster

Bobo23 · 01/01/2009 13:35

Good news today is that the baby started moving a lot last night - we had the CTG test again this morning and the baby is fine....

Fingers crossed!

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Aitch · 01/01/2009 22:17

good luck!

Neat01 · 03/01/2009 05:45

I am 9 weeks pregnant now. Went for a regular check-up on the 31st dec and my doc said that my baby's growth doesnt look too good. She said the baby had stopped growing. Needless to say, my husband and I, had one of our worst New Year's Eve. She gave me an injection and has asked me to come again on the 6th Jan for a check-up. She said if the pregnancy itself is weak, then the injection won't help. I am so worried, the wait is killing me! Has anyone had a similar experience? Can a baby start growing again?

Flightattendant7 · 03/01/2009 06:22

Have replied on your thread Neat x

Upwind · 06/01/2009 12:40

Best of luck Neat - I don't have any info for you but really don't think the advice I was given in the 3rd trimester can have any relevance in early pregnancy.

Bobo how are you doing? Unfortunately I have had more bad news, in that it seems my baby has not been growing after all, so it will be coming out tomorrow It is now a long way from any lines on the chart.

trixiethepixie · 06/01/2009 14:53

How are things now Bobo?? My ds also stopped growing at 32 weeks and was born a couple of weeks later at 2lb 7. He only needed oxygen at the start and was perfect in every other way, except being very tiny. He's now 15 months old and still quite tiny, although weight wise has cuaght up to average. Developmentally he's always been a bit behind but I've been assured he'll catch up and I can see myself he is coming on leaps and bounds.

Ohh upwind, good luck. I remember your thread in the prem baby board. x

Original poster

Bobo23 · 09/01/2009 19:08

Our little boy was born last Saturday at 34 weeks - 2 lb 12 oz... update on prem baby board...

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Original poster

Bobo23 · 09/01/2009 19:14

The update is
here!

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