Not premature but maybe preterm

[rockabyebaby1402]

Didn't really know where this belongs but can always ask Mumsnet to move it elsewhere if wrong. Welcomed little girl into the world yesterday at what was 37+1 according to my 12 week dating scan (didn't learn I was pregnant till 10 weeks). However partner and I are rather boring and remember what days we were together on/what days I was annoyed at him for not putting the toilet seat down while my mom was over and are sure they estimated at least 4 days too early and put our actual due date 4 days ahead of theirs. Nothing came up on abnormality scan or on extra abnormality scan I volunteered for at local university. Baby has low-ish birthweight of 5lb 5oz (which could simply be explained by them being 3 weeks before due date I guess) despite measuring big at middle of pregnancy. My little brother was born the smallest in three generations at 38 weeks weighing 7lb 10oz so is a bit of shock across both mum and dad's sides. Had a very neat and tidy bump last two months with everyone shocked to find out I was far more than 3-4 months along. Waters went before I'd started labour so had to be induced 12 hours later by drip after fluids turned pink. So wasn't like I went naturally. All seems very fishy. I am spending an extra night in hospital currently because her soft spot is larger than normal and they want to have top professional give it another scan (a 4th opinion as it got passed from paeds consultant to confer with a more advanced consultant to confer with an even more advanced consultant to now see whoever we're seeing tomorrow). They've talked about it potentially being a viral infection (results won't come back till Monday) that's caused extra fluid on the brain or just a slight abnormality that will fix itself or the ever so vague "something more". My mum (midwife) reckons they're just being overcautious because she really does appear tiny even for her weight - another mum on the ward thought her visiting toddler daughter had left a doll in crib. She is tiny baby size but fits premature things comfortably they just don't cover length of arms and legs (had to get family to go buy smaller clothes when we saw her as newborn clothes swamp her - just had to swaddle for first 12 hours after birth which wasn't too bad as we weren't allowed to bath her anyway till we had 3 good blood sugar results). Had difficulties bottle feeding for the first 24 hours, she has a weak suck they said so we're using the special premature teats and having a bit more luck with them. She jumps at loud noises but she has barely cried since birth especially compared to all the other newborn babies on the ward but that might be common in "37 week" babies. Probably just overthinking everything with a bit of baby blue anxiety but does anybody have any ideas what all these things could mean? Just a young mum, only turned 20 last month however consistently told mature for my age. Was very stressed and probably overactive in months leading up to now as was finishing uni around due date so first thought the stress caused me to go early but concerned doctors think it's more. Wondering if I should push for more tests, was passed from midwife to midwife during pregnancy due to sickness/retirement/snowstorms so no continuity of care or anybody in my local healthcare system I feel I know and trust to get answers for me. Midwives and health visitors in area that I do know where kinda rude to me asking "do you know who the dad might be?" (my partner who I live with) and treating me like a child in a very condescending and patronising manner at most appointments. Sorry for the extremely long post, just need opinions and ideas of where to go from here and hate drip feeds.

First of all congratulations, second try not to worry it's probably nothing but they want to be sure.
My DD was born at 36+6 yes she weighed a little more, but only tiny baby clothes fitted her perfectly.
When she was a few months old she developed a bulge on her soft spot, because she had a full head of hair you could only feel it not see it. Gp referred us to hospital and by the time the appointment came a few days later it had returned to normal. My DD is now 11 in good health doing well at school and has always been one of the tallest in the year.

Congratulations. She may very well be preterm. My dd was born at 35+6 and although perfectly healthy at birth she then had problems breastfeeding and had to stay in a week with bad jaundice that needed treatment and was quite sickly. Apparently that’s classics for slightly preterm babies so watch for that. If she is preterm theres no particular need to worry, I know it’s a bit alarming when you’re expecting a bigger baby as they look so tiny. The hospital won’t (or shouldn’t) discharge you until she is feeding well etc. Can you request to stay in for another night and see how things play out? As I said the only thing I might worry about with a preterm is jaundice which takes a day or two to appear then the onset is quite rapid.

My 13 yr old was 36+5. Was almost 6lb. Was very sleepy for first 3 weeks and thus difficult to feed. Once her due date came around she really turned a corner and put in weight rapidly but there were lots of fears those first three weeks.

Congratulations.
My eldest DD was 37+6 and exactly 6lbs. She had issues with breastfeeding for a couple of weeks but managed 6 months after that. Also remember the angst over her head being small apparently. I blame the tape measure and who measured her tbh. She has a big head now at 8!
Dd2 was 2lbs 2. So I also have a v premature baby.
Trust me, your dad will be fine whatever the results of the soft top testing. Enjoy these first few days

DD obviously

I think it's easy to underestimate the small but significant impact being three weeks early has. Ds2 was born at 37+2 and although we were lucky enough to have very few problems he's definitely developing by his due date rather than birth date - smiled at nine weeks

Congratulations on your baby. Did you not have a 20 week scan?
The 12 week scans for dating are pretty accurate but babies can come whenever they decide and a multitude of things can happen in the pregnancy.

By 37 weeks babies are fully formed - the last few weeks babies just put on weight in terms of fat and bulk up.

Baby won't be discharged until baby is feeding well.
Babies weight will be measured day 5 and there is some expectation for weight loss but babies should gain this back. If it's more than 10% then docs will worry.

Did you have any other complications during the pregnancy?

Baby is probably a little bit small for gestation but should have put on weight during the last three weeks.
I know it's hard not to worry but you just need to focus on baby now.
It might be an idea to read through your notes?
You can also work with PALs to find out more?

Also bump size isn't always indicative of baby size.

I wish you and your baby well.

Hi congrats on your baby! I hope your both doing well 🙂
My ds is 4 weeks old tomorrow - he was only 5lbs 2 and also measured big all the way through pregnancy until the end (was induced at 37 +2 as he'd stopped growing)
He did have a week in nicu at the start as they thought he had an infection and then his iron level dropped requiring a blood transfusion and was initially tube fed, but he came home when he was one week old and at 18 days old when he was last weighed he was up to 6lbs6. My consultant told me to expect him to feed lots which he does, although for first couple of weeks I had to wake him sometimes for feeds. Like you I had to send family for smaller baby clothes and nappies. He is now in new baby size, mainly trousers with open feet etc as he is long bt newborn and up to 1 month still swamp him.
Hope your wee one is doing well