Baby weight below 10th centile at 32 weeks

[Lady H]

Kcmichelle a Midwife told me the EFW from scans can be as much as 20% out, but she had seen much more. I've yet to hear of an EFW that was correct or even close!

 

[Lady H]

Scan today and in two weeks she has gained 1.2lb and gone back up over the 10th centile line...phew! At 34 weeks she now weighs the same as I did When I was born at 38 weeks at 4lb 7oz. I think she's going to be ok. So relaxing more, laying on my left as much as possible and increasing protein intake including 1oz of Almonds a day must have helped a bit.

 

[Wriggley]

excellent news hun!

 

[// arcadia]

Small update from me.

Went in on Monday for a fluid level check and cord check .. all normal!

Back in next weds for another growth scan.

 

[Lady H]

Brill news Arcadia xx

 

[// arcadia]

Brill news Arcadia xx

Your back over the 10th centile now, yay!!

Are you scheduled for anymore growth scans?

 

[Lady H]

Yes I have another on Monday. Hoping she has gained more.

 

[// arcadia]

Good luck today x

 

[Lady H]

Thanks Arcadia, unfortunately the Sonographer would not do it as it was only 11 days since the last scan. I have to go back Thursday..arrrrgh!

 

[Lady H]

Baby estimated now at 5lb 9oz and tracking properly on the chart now. Don't need to go back until 29th to see consultant and I'll be 39 weeks then. So laying about eating Almonds and cottage cheese has worked a treat....more of the same!

 

[// arcadia]

Think im going to have to get in some almonds lol.

Went for growth scan yesterday at 36 weeks.

I just dont get it, the measurements for HC, BPD, AC and FL are ALL within the normal range mostly 50th centile but the FL is slightly below but STILL above 10th centile (I have long torso short legs!!!)

So from that they get an estimated weight BELOW 10th centile shes at 2313g ... I just dont get it.

Had to wait around for hours to see consultant who said I now have to go back next week for Doppler scan fluid check and CTG then at 38 weeks for Growth scan then after that twice a week for CTG etc.

I understand why they are doing all this precautionary etc but they are not taking into consideration my individual case, i have short legs .. my first daughter was born weighing 6.13 lbs and PERFECTLY healthy .. so im not going to be expected to have a big 8 pounder am I.

As a side note to get to my hospital I have to get 2 buses one of which takes an hour and then theres the walking to and from the hospital .. am i really going to be able to do that at 39/40/41 weeks pregnant?!?!?!

I said to him I am not concerned that there is anything wrong with my baby apart from being petite .. all cord scans come back fine, fluid checks fine, my blood pressure fine, never had anything wrong with wee samples she always has strong heartbeat etc and said what happenes if i refuse all these extra tests going forward .. he just said he would be crucified and struck off if anything happened then started banging on about placental insufficiency causing death .... right .. thanks ...

Then he said about inductions ... I just feel this is all SO unnecessary! I will go next week and week after at 38 weeks but after that im seriously considering refusing because I cant go twice a week that late into a pregnancy .. would be ok if i could drive

 

[Lady H]

Arcadia I feel for you. They are so scared of missing so something going wrong. My measures are the same, all ok but the EFW is what is under. The daft thing is that increasing protein intake and resting helps, but trekking to the hospital is not resting!

I'm seeing the consultant Monday and I suspect she will raise induction. I have the added chalked if being 40 and they don't like me to go past due as the placenta deteriorates quicker.

Fingers crossed for you Hun, I know we will both be fine xxxx

 

[// arcadia]

Haha you are so right it would be beneficial for us to be relaxed and resting but all of this is just the opposite!

Its just really hard because I know in my heart of hearts everything will be fine in the end but id planned to really give waterbirth a go as last time I wasnt very good in labour and got an epidural which was great .. but I really wanted to try this time and go drug free and more in control .. and its just not going to happen .. all because she's a bit small

I would understand if there was something that indicated stress! cord, fluid etc but theres nothing. Her HC and AC are all good .. just a shorter FL ... I know if the baby is in distress it will use all it has to grow the brain etc and thats not happening.

Good luck on Monday, let me know what your consultant says (I dont mean all personal stuff just about possibilities going forward) Just yours might be abit more relaxed and then I can use it as ammo at my 38 week consultant app!!

xx

 

[Lady H]

Sure will Arcadia, I'll keep you updated xx

 

[// arcadia]

I went for my Fluid/Cord check and CTG yesterday. When the Midwife came in she had my notes and was like .. You've been here alot now havent you, your 37 weeks you should really be delivering your baby now!!

I just told her that it had been partially mentioned but I wouldn't be doing it until at least after my Growth scan next week at 38 weeks. She finally relented and said ok after she went and spoke with another consultant who agreed I could wait until Growth scan at 38+2.

Fluid came back perfectly, cord check perfect and also did blood flow through the brain which was .. you guessed it perfect!

We plotted along the line and if baby continues to grow at the rate she is she'd be born at 40 weeks weighing 6lbs 8/9 oz ... which to me is absolutely fine.

The midwifes only reasoning for me to have the baby sooner wasn't that there is anything necessarily wrong with the baby being in distress but that smaller babies dont cope with labour well so she'd be better off delivered now rather than a few weeks she could potentially be a bit more tired not have the reserves in her etc. But all I have in my mind is my first LO was born weighing 6.13 at 40+5 perfectly healthy and complete unassisted delivery!

So it all hangs on next weds now really. I think I will end up being induced at some point though but id like to hold out till at least 39 weeks.

How did you get on LadyH? xx

 

[Lady H]

That's good news that all is perfect, like we expected! Yesterday my consultant gave me a stretch and sweep. She said cervix was 1cm and very soft. It's favourable for induction and so they have booked me I. To be induced on my due date of 9th May.

They seem less concerned about size now and more on my advanced maternal age and low PAPP-A which is a placenta issue. I don't really want induction but as the risk of complications for baby post 40 weeks are fourfold I've agreed. Having said that Midwife and consultant think she will come naturally before then. Somebody just needs to tell baby that!

Hope all goes well for you next Weds, that's the day before my induction so I'll pop back for your update. Xx

 

[littleone2010]

Hi girls, I'm glad to hear things are going well now! I'm a bit behind All of you but I'm I'm the same position.
My first was born 5lb 8oz at 40 weeks. It wasn't picked up at all tht she would be small. Her length was 50th centile but she was very skinny. They assumed iugr but they don't know for sure, everything else seemed normal and he was healthy, I had a normal 12 week scan And bloods with her too.
This time I'm consultant led because my firsts low weight, and because I had high risk nt scan/bloods. I had normal pappa a but high hcg and higher nt at the scan. I had a cvs and echocardiogram and all is fine with this baby baby now thats out the way I'm worrying about if she will have low birth weight again.
I'm having growth scans at 30 &34 weeks to see how she's doing. Ive been on baby aspirin since my first consultant appointment at 16 weeks to improve blood flow through the placenta. I'm just wondering if any of you have been given advice on what to eat or o to improve the weight/growth of baby? Wishing you all lots of luk, most of you are expecting your babies so soon!! Xxx

 

[Lady H]

Hi little one. I wasn't given any advice by the hospital, but I did some research and got advice from ladies with IUGR. Basically increase your protein intake, more meat, fish, cottage cheese and almonds are very good. Make sure you eat regularly and rest as often as you can on your left side. I did these and baby gained weight well in two weeks and came back over 10th centile and is still there.

It's good they are watching baby's growth although I know it's a pain. I'm was put on Asprin too at 16 weeks as it helps blood flow to the placenta. Look after yourself and eat well. I hope that helps xxx

 

[MYBezalel]

There's a lot of factors for baby to be delayed in his growth, or be SGA or IUGR but usually they do better once they come out. As long as there are no other complications, they grow and catch up fast.

 

[DaisyMai]

Hi hun,

First of all congrats!

I have no idea about the blood tests but when I was expecting our son it was picked up on a scan that he had stopped growing or atleast nearly stopped.I was having scans as he was breech so I'm so glad he was, otherwise we would never have known.I had a c section 10 days early so that he could be born and I could start feeding.
He was born 5 lb 4,he was tiny bless him.He may have been small but from day one he has always been strong!
It is scary when you start looking at all the percentiles but I just had to ignore them as some babies are just smaller, Oliver is just what he is and he soon caught up.I myself am only light so I just think he takes after me! =o]

Sorry no real advice just thought I would share our story

Xx