Consultant appointment - not happy!

[Hoping4Four]

I had an appointment with a consultant today. Apparently it's routine to book in with a consultant if you've had an SGA (small for gestational age) baby before. Well, it wasn't the case last time I was pregnant, but I guess they've changed the rules since then.

According to the growth chart my 2nd daughter was in roughly the 10th percentile at birth and my son was in the 25th. The average birth weight is around 7lbs 11oz and he was 7lbs 2oz, so I really didn't think he was that far off. Now, according to a "personalised" growth chart, which takes into account my BMI, my daughter is in the 2nd percentile and my son is only in the 10th. I'm tall and that means I'm supposed to have big babies?!

My first did genuinely have IUGR and I was induced at 37+6, but because of this new growth chart I'm now considered to have had two SGA babies, when in fact my second didn't have any growth problems at all, and I had regular scans to confirm that.

So basically, I've been told I can only have a home birth this time if I have a baby who measures above the 10th percentile (roughly my son's weight: 7lbs 2oz) or bigger. How am I supposed to guarantee that will happen?!

Unfortunately, as I'm 6ft tall, my fundal height never measures on track. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to measure small, especially since I lost a lot of weight before I had this baby.. I was overweight with my last two.

Ugh, I'm so annoyed. I KNOW my babies are healthy. They're all way taller than average now, and they all very rapidly gained weight once they were born. This is my FOURTH baby and I feel like no-one is listening to me. I know what to expect and I'd be surprised if this baby reaches 8lbs.

Sorry, that was a long rant. I'm just in a bad mood and I really have my heart set on a home birth!

 

[K123]

That sounds completely ridiculous to me. My son was 7lb3oz and seen as a perfectly healthy weight. I hope you can get the home birth you want.

 

[Rickles]

I don't understand why BMI comes into it? All England rugby players are obese according to that!

My daughter was 7lbs 4 and no-one batted an eyelid - seems very bizarre!

So sorry they are not listening - I find that is the case in every appt I go to xx

 

[Rcx]

Wow that does sound weird! I would be peed off if I was you too!

 

[NotNic]

How can they really tell? My son measured average, but I was small (weightwise and size of bump - though fine for fundal height). I was told to prepare for a 6lb baby. He was 8lbs at 39wks - long and skinny. They're supposed to encouraging mw led births. Seems mad they would put a restriction in place when you naturally have smaller babies anyway.

 

[Mrsturner]

That sounds totally ridiculous. I could understand it if you'd had 5lb babies last time but 7lb+ is perfectly healthy in my opinion.
If I were you I would really fight for what you want. I can't see how the can really tell the weight before birth anyway. I was measuring 36 weeks at 42 weeks last time and was told to expect a small baby and he came out at 8lb 8oz and 22.5inches long!
If you want your home birth, do everything you can to get it xx

 

[loopy82]

I notice you're in Lancashire, I am too. Whereabouts are you if you don't mind saying?

Just so you know, it's not actually their decision whether or not you have a home birth and from what I've been told they are legally required to support you in your choice even if they don't agree. If you want a home birth and are comfortable in that decision then tell them that is what you'll be doing.

 

[kmac87]

Oh wow, I'd be screwed! Ds2 was a 39 weeker and 5lbs 14.8oz! Ds1 was 7 lbs even.

 

[Leinzlove]

This sounds ridiculous to me. Some women just have small babies. I have 2 daughters both born at 39+2, (1st weighed 6lbs. 3oz, 2nd weighed 6lbs 12oz.) They were both fine although they were born small for gestational age.

My third girl is already measuring small and just on weight nothing else.

 

[Hoping4Four]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad it's not just me who thinks this is silly.

I don't know why BMI comes into it. Mine is currently 23 so I'm a healthy weight, and I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. There is NO specific reason why my babies should be small, they just are.

Loopy82, I'm in Preston. Thanks for the home birth info, I didn't know that The consultant made it sound like his word was law and if they're in the slightest bit concerned about baby's size I'll have to have a hospital birth.

The really stupid thing is, I was actually booked in for a home birth with my son. I couldn't have one in the end, but that was a separate issue entirely. My previous babies' weights weren't an issue then, and I wasn't given a personalised growth chart. Clearly they've changed the rules in the last 3 years!

 

[ljo1984]

I had an appointment with a consultant today. Apparently it's routine to book in with a consultant if you've had an SGA (small for gestational age) baby before. Well, it wasn't the case last time I was pregnant, but I guess they've changed the rules since then.

According to the growth chart my 2nd daughter was in roughly the 10th percentile at birth and my son was in the 25th. The average birth weight is around 7lbs 11oz and he was 7lbs 2oz, so I really didn't think he was that far off. Now, according to a "personalised" growth chart, which takes into account my BMI, my daughter is in the 2nd percentile and my son is only in the 10th. I'm tall and that means I'm supposed to have big babies?!

My first did genuinely have IUGR and I was induced at 37+6, but because of this new growth chart I'm now considered to have had two SGA babies, when in fact my second didn't have any growth problems at all, and I had regular scans to confirm that.

So basically, I've been told I can only have a home birth this time if I have a baby who measures above the 10th percentile (roughly my son's weight: 7lbs 2oz) or bigger. How am I supposed to guarantee that will happen?!

Unfortunately, as I'm 6ft tall, my fundal height never measures on track. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to measure small, especially since I lost a lot of weight before I had this baby.. I was overweight with my last two.

Ugh, I'm so annoyed. I KNOW my babies are healthy. They're all way taller than average now, and they all very rapidly gained weight once they were born. This is my FOURTH baby and I feel like no-one is listening to me. I know what to expect and I'd be surprised if this baby reaches 8lbs.

Sorry, that was a long rant. I'm just in a bad mood and I really have my heart set on a home birth!

If your happy with your babies progression then You can refuse all appointments, and they can't make you do anything you do not want. They need consent from you to do anything and you have the human right to birth where you like so the good old you CANT have a hb chat is a load of bull. Have you joined home Birth chat group on fb? It's amazing and you'll get fantastic advice on there, many been in this situation themselves. X

 

[loopy82]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad it's not just me who thinks this is silly.

I don't know why BMI comes into it. Mine is currently 23 so I'm a healthy weight, and I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. There is NO specific reason why my babies should be small, they just are.

Loopy82, I'm in Preston. Thanks for the home birth info, I didn't know that The consultant made it sound like his word was law and if they're in the slightest bit concerned about baby's size I'll have to have a hospital birth.

The really stupid thing is, I was actually booked in for a home birth with my son. I couldn't have one in the end, but that was a separate issue entirely. My previous babies' weights weren't an issue then, and I wasn't given a personalised growth chart. Clearly they've changed the rules in the last 3 years!

You're not far from me I'm in Darwen. If you're not happy with the consultant you can ask to change, I have because they automatically gave me the consultant from last time who I never want to see again! I'm under East Lancs which is part of the UNICEF baby friendly initiative and so far this pregnancy I've found them to be good in respecting my choices even if it isn't what they would prefer.