Thoughts or advice for induction of a small baby?

JB86

I have a heart condition, svt which I take meds for daily. One or the side effects during pregnacy is a small baby.

I've been informed in the case of a small baby they will likly induce me a few weeks early. The reasoning is that if baby is not growing inside there's no point to keep it in there. Better to have baby outside and feeding and gaining weight.

Anyone else experience this? Or have tips with induction?

AlfiesMOM

I haven't heard of this but I would trust your doctors. I know many woman who have had inductions and just as you would suspect some have had great experiences and other awful, but if its best for the baby then I guess its just something you have to do!

LadyXaverian

I have heard of this, yes. Trust your doctors on this one, and good luck!

Pips09

Are you talking about IUGR? There are a few moms on the Preemie board who delivered early because of IUGR. If that's the case, some of them may have advice for you.

llambrose

I was induced, not because my baby was small but she ended up being pretty little.  I was 39 weeks, I had GD (which usually results in a bigger baby), my fluid was low.  She was only 5 lb 12 oz.  She was very healthy though and gained weight well when she was born. I liked being induced, my labor was fast and I liked know when I was going to be having the baby.  I think that I would trust my doctor if that is what they are advising.

shelly2xmama

With my dd (1 year old on Monday !) I was induced . It wasn't early as I was 2 days past my due date on day if induction/birth but the reasoning was baby was small ( she actually ended up being bigger than what my OB expected) but she wasn't gaining and drs felt she would do better outside the womb. It ended up being an amazing birth experience and the drs were 100% right. Most babies lose a bit of weight after birth but my girl loved to eat and never lost any weight actually gained steadily in hospital and as her dr says "she definitely doesn't have any problems with food, eating or gaining" . I think your drs will do what's best and hope things turn out best as possible for you and baby!

Stargirlb

There are other reasons that the uterus is the optimal environment for fetal development other than just rough "size". I would definitely do more research. I don't know anything about this myself, but if it just restricted their height weight but didn't cause other problems, I don't know that would automatically be a reason to induce. If there was a lot of evidence (studies) to show that the early-induced babies fared better compared to the ones allowed to carry until term on that medication, then that would be a reason. 

UberBiz

Stargirlb said:

There are other reasons that the uterus is the optimal environment for fetal development other than just rough "size". I would definitely do more research. I don't know anything about this myself, but if it just restricted their height weight but didn't cause other problems, I don't know that would automatically be a reason to induce. If there was a lot of evidence (studies) to show that the early-induced babies fared better compared to the ones allowed to carry until term on that medication, then that would be a reason. 

I agree. There are other things developing besides height/weight, and there's nothing wrong with having a small baby. My daughter was term and was only 5lb 9oz. So unless it was hindering the development of other things like brain, lungs, etc. I would question the absolute need for such an early induction.

MusicFanatic

emmyg65 said:

Can they give you more information? If the baby is small because of IUGR, placental issues, or some other issue, that's one thing. But if it's just small, I'm not sure why that would be a problem requiring early induction. If things are progressing normally, more time in utero means more time for lungs to develop, body fat, etc.

This exactly. 

I will be induced early, but for placental issues and at a certain point it's better baby is on the outside and not in.  But if yours is actually growing properly, I would research that and get more information. Unless there's IUGR (etc) and they see no growth, I wouldn't just trust "small baby" because ultrasounds can be off.  They're not tools for measuring exact weight of a baby and CAN be off. Sometimes by even more than a pound. I've had friends assume to have "big babies" that were guessed at over 9 pounds, and the baby comes out weighing nothing near it. 

If there's an actual condition that requires the baby out sooner and it's better for them.. then yes, I'm 100% for that.

Jellybean707

emmyg65 said:

Can they give you more information? If the baby is small because of IUGR, placental issues, or some other issue, that's one thing. But if it's just small, I'm not sure why that would be a problem requiring early induction. If things are progressing normally, more time in utero means more time for lungs to develop, body fat, etc.

This is what I was going to say as well. There is a chance that I will be induced or have an early C/S due to a cord insertion abnormality that sometimes leads to IUGR.