31 weeks and low birth weight

[_Lexi_]

I'll be 31 weeks on Monday and they're thinking about performing a c section next week. Ive been at the hospital 2-3 times a week for checks and ctgs on his weight. I also have low fluid levels, and there's a lot of pressure in the placenta where it's trying to work properly. At my last growth scan just over a week ago his estimated weight was only 350g. As he's not growing they think its best to get him out. They're not overly optimistic about his chances. Has anybody got any experience of a baby born this early and weighing this little? I know he'll be in nicu, but I don't know how long I can expect him to be in for. Would just really like some advice and reassurance about my little man x

 

[Littlemo]

I am really sorry your having a hard time I hope your little baba is well, your at a good gestation but I'm sorry I don't know much on the low birth weight I've been told that the growth scans are not always correct I really hope ur little one is well and grows some more for u ......my little ones was born at 27 weeks and weighted 1180kg which was 2lb 9oz and 13 weeks early he stayed in the NICU for 9 weeks before coming home, we was told by the nurses to expect baby out at ur due date but every baby is different really hope things go well for u and your little man. xx

 

[_Lexi_]

Wow, 27 weeks is early. I cant even begin to imagine how scary it must be having a lo in nicu. Guess I'm about to find out. Just hoping he's had a bit of a growth spurt. I know the gestation is ok, but it's just how small he is. The consultant told me that it's unlikely for babies under 375g to survive, but just got to stay positive and hope for the best. Thank you so much for replying xx

 

[Sam182]

I'm really sorry to hear what you're going through. I had my little man at 27 weeks and he weighed 880g (1lb 15oz) which was regarded as a low birth weight. I hope that they are wrong about his weight as he sounds so small. Hope you get on well and keep us updated x

Oh and my LO is still in special care 10 weeks down the line and we expect him home in the next few weeks

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

I'll be 31 weeks on Monday and they're thinking about performing a c section next week. Ive been at the hospital 2-3 times a week for checks and ctgs on his weight. I also have low fluid levels, and there's a lot of pressure in the placenta where it's trying to work properly. At my last growth scan just over a week ago his estimated weight was only 350g. As he's not growing they think its best to get him out. They're not overly optimistic about his chances. Has anybody got any experience of a baby born this early and weighing this little? I know he'll be in nicu, but I don't know how long I can expect him to be in for. Would just really like some advice and reassurance about my little man x

hi i had exactly the same prob as you and was in and out from week 22 and they thought that ellie might have had edwards syndrome or pacauds syndrome, ellie was delivered at just under 32 weeks and the said from scans she was a little under 2lbs and she came out at 4lbs 3oz but they weighed her wrong and weighed her again that night and she was 3lbs so much better than they thought, have you had steroid injections, ellie never needed help with her breathing and was only in for 10 week xx

 

[Poorah]

When I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia I had a growth scan which guestimated M would be 950g. I was terrified as I knew this was very small for the gestational age. She was delivered at 30+3 weighing 1150g, so a good bit heavier than the scan predicted. I suspect when they are tiny there is a quite a margin of error in the weights predicted.
If I were you, just ignore the weight thing. Baby will come out and everything that can be done to help your baby survive and thrive will be done. We're eight months down the line and I have a happy but tiny baby girl with no discernible long term issues. I've got everything crossed for the happiest outcome possible.

 

[_Lexi_]

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories with me. I'm seeing a specialist tomorrow, hopefully my lo has gained a bit of weight in the past 2 weeks and will be in a more stable condition. I should be having the steroid injections thus week or next, depends on when they decide to get him out. I'm terrified of a c section but I know it's best for him x

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

Thank you everyone for sharing your stories with me. I'm seeing a specialist tomorrow, hopefully my lo has gained a bit of weight in the past 2 weeks and will be in a more stable condition. I should be having the steroid injections thus week or next, depends on when they decide to get him out. I'm terrified of a c section but I know it's best for him x

i had 2 lots of steroid injections one at 24 weeks when we knew there was probs "just incase" she had to be delivered and one the night before section xx

 

[funkym]

Hiya so sorry you're going through this and hope everything goes well! Babies are so tough!! My little girl was born last week at 31 weeks due to preclampsia and she weighed 4lbs 1oz not sure what that is in kg and she's still in special care xx

 

[_Lexi_]

Think it's about 1800grams?? Not entirely sure though!! Hope she's out of special care soon. At 350g, he's not even 1lb seeing the specialist tomorrow, hopefully he's put in a bit of weight. Really hope your little girl is home with you soon x

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

hi have you been to the hospital yet xx

 

[_Lexi_]

Just got home. He has grown, he's now measuring at 25 weeks...so still behind. They're not very happy with his trace, his heart kept slowing down, and my fluid levels have dropped again. Pressure has built up more in the placenta, and the blood flow is starting to be effected. His heart is larger than normal as its working harder to keep him going. He said whilst he's under 1000g, they want to keep him in whilst he's still growing as he'd struggle too much being born. I'm now at the hospital 3 times a week as he said the placenta failing completley can be very sudden. So I'm back Wednesday and again Friday. I had to have an ECG on my heart, and I've had blood taken from both arms checking for viral infections that could be affecting lo and they want to check my blood to see if my liver and kidneys are working properly. my pulse is erratic and I'm showing increased amounts of sugar and protein in my urine. x

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

Just got home. He has grown, he's now measuring at 25 weeks...so still behind. They're not very happy with his trace, his heart kept slowing down, and my fluid levels have dropped again. Pressure has built up more in the placenta, and the blood flow is starting to be effected. His heart is larger than normal as its working harder to keep him going. He said whilst he's under 1000g, they want to keep him in whilst he's still growing as he'd struggle too much being born. I'm now at the hospital 3 times a week as he said the placenta failing completley can be very sudden. So I'm back Wednesday and again Friday. I had to have an ECG on my heart, and I've had blood taken from both arms checking for viral infections that could be affecting lo and they want to check my blood to see if my liver and kidneys are working properly. my pulse is erratic and I'm showing increased amounts of sugar and protein in my urine. x

this is exactly the same prob I had and same care too, have they gave you steroid injections yet if not id be asking for them wed. Ellie measured at 24 weeks when i was 30 weeks but she was delivered 6 days later at a good weight also mia was said to be 4lbs on the wed and born at 6lbs on the fri so honestly try no to worry to much about the weight, we had an amnio done and the blood tests done too, have they sent you to the fetal monitoring unit yet xx

 

[_Lexi_]

Fetal monitoring?? No steroids as yet, they keep mentioning them. Going to review it again on Friday. I had a cvs at 13 weeks after being given 1 in 20 chance of downs, hoping the bloods come back clear so I don't have to have an amnio. It's reassuring to know the weight can be off by that much!!x

 

[Jen1802]

My lo was born at 26 plus 4 and weighed 2lbs 4oz which is 1020 grams and was in hospital for 9 weeks and 2 days. I was told at the scan I had the day before she was born that she only weighed 800g so they can get it wrong! Keeping everything crossed your lo has had a growth spurt! xox

 

[xxClaire_24xx]

Fetal monitoring?? No steroids as yet, they keep mentioning them. Going to review it again on Friday. I had a cvs at 13 weeks after being given 1 in 20 chance of downs, hoping the bloods come back clear so I don't have to have an amnio. It's reassuring to know the weight can be off by that much!!x

its a more detailed scan using heat etc tbh i cant quite remember to much about it as I was in shock by this point, ellie was head down and they thought she had no cerebellum and she had very little fluid around her so i had an internal scan to to get to her head more and had a 3d scan every 3 days. I can back 1 in 25 for for dons and then when they scanned me and ellie was so small ( a sign of down) they decided to do a 3d scan to look at facial feature and then they also said i carried high risk for edwards and pataus, so we went ahead and had the amnio, we just needed to know what we were facing and tbh the amnio isnt bad at all just carries a small risk of miscarriage

i am very surprised that they havent gave you the course of steroids yet which makes me think that they cant be too worried which is good

Also yeah the weight can be wrong so try not to worry xx

 

[_Lexi_]

I had the detailed scan yesterday. They said they'll give me the steroids when they decide when to get him out as they're most effective if they're done the same week. I've already had the cvs so they know it's not downs or anything chromosomal. Just after going through one invasive procedure, I'd rather not take the risks of having another with the amnio. x

 

[Littlemo]

really glad too see ur little man put some weight on ,i hope he carries on and all goes well for u, there was alittle girl in nicu next too r baby who weighted 650g .......try not too worry about ur c-section I had one with my 1st its over and done very quick, xx

 

[Foogirl]

It all comes down to whether they are better off out than in. At the moment your consultant has decided it's better for your LO to get what they need from you and I'm pleased they aren't rushing you. They will know how accuracy can be off with weights and sizes etc and whilst there is a continued growth, they will let your body look after your baby. If the growth stops, or at the point where LO will benefit more from NNICU care, they will take him out. Gestation means relatively little if the weight is low, but it sounds like your LO is heading in the right direction. Fingers crossed you can get him to a good weight and if you end up in NNICU, we are all here to support you.

 

[winterbaby86]

best wishes hun, i havent had a premature baby myself but read this thread and would like to wish you the best luck instead of just reading x