Pregnancy Questions and Concerns: 12/24-12/31

mauera07

steph30032

So I mentioned a few weeks ago that my doctor was concerned that my fundal height was measuring small. Well last week she scheduled a growth ultrasound, and turns out my little girl is about 2.5 weeks behind where she should be. It didn’t sound like a major concern to me, but then the doctor said she’s worried that baby isn’t getting good blood flow and she’s also worried about issues with my fluid levels. So she scheduled another ultrasound for later his week with a high risk clinic and I have to see a specialist. She said that best case scenario, she will have me do weekly stress tests and then induce me at 39 weeks. Worst case scenario she will induce me at 37 weeks. I’m currently 36w4d. So I guess I was just looking to vent my stress and ask if anyone else is having similar issues? Also, I have no clue what happens at stress tests. Are they gonna have me like walk on a treadmill while they monitor the baby or something? 

kelk5

@steph30032 I don't have any experience but just wanted to say I hope it turns out okay. 

supercoolstephy

@steph30032 if she’s talking about doing an NST test, it’s where they put the monitors (not an ultrasound just some bands that are running are attached to a machine) on your stomach and are checking for contractions with one band, and on the other band they are tracking the baby’s heart rate, movements and reactionary spikes. Last Friday they had to use a buzzer on my belly to get her to react. It doesn’t hurt either of you it’s just a buzzer that’s loud in the the belly and they gave me sprite. I do these weekly as well as a BPP test weekly, it’s an ultrasound where they measure my amniotic fluid and that she is practicing her breathing. 

If you fail the NST they will likely send you for an ultrasound to pass a BPP or to L&D triage to monitor as well. There are quite a few of us doing these tests weekly so if you have other questions hopefully others can provide other info too.

Here is some info on the Fetal NonStress test. 
https://americanpregnancy.org/prenatal-testing/non-stress-test/

And the BPP test. 
https://www.webmd.com/baby/bpp-biophysical-profile

steph30032

@supercoolstephy That was super helpful! And the NST sounds a lot less scary and exhausting than I was expecting! Thanks for the info! 

Cricket99

I was induced last go around for several reasons and one was that DS was measuring 2-3 weeks behind. They were afraid that with the combination of him measuring small and my high blood pressure that my placenta had stopped doing it’s job as well as it should. They induced me at 38 weeks. He came out much bigger than they thought, which was a plus. Near the end it gets much harder for them to get accurate measurements as LO is generally more active and cramped. We went with the better safe than sorry approach for a safe delivery for both of us. Try not to stress to much.

steph30032

@Cricket99 so that happened with your last pregnancy? Did you have similar issues this time? Is it a reoccurring thing that will happen in future pregnancies or is it pretty random? This is my second pregnancy but my son was always measuring big and my water broke on it’s on at 39 weeks so all this stuff about small baby and induction and nst is all new and scary. 

sierra2020

@steph30032 My fundal height measurements were always right on until the last month, but since then has been stuck at 33.5-34, where at my last appointment I was 37.5 weeks (so 3.5-4 weeks behind). My midwife had me go for an ultrasound to check for Intrauterine growth restriction, but everything looked good on the ultrasound. Our baby was in the 39th percentile (we were both small babies and are not big people now) and about 6lbs 4 oz at their estimate, so my MW is not concerned. It may be that baby has dropped, so the measurements are lower, or she said I may just have a roomy pelvis, but as long as the additional testing comes back normal I would try not to worry just yet!

darkrose88

So I know I shouldn't be worried yet since I still have plenty of time to go into labor, but my doctor wants to induce me on 1/10 if I haven't gone into labor yet. I know there are risks around letting the baby stay in to long, but I'd be pretty much risked out of my birthing center. My birthing center would let me still give birth there until 1/15 (which is 41 wks 6 days according to my doctor's caldenar). I know it would only give me an extra 5 days, but I'm thinking about asking to hold off until 1/16 so that I have at least a chance of getting the natural birth I want. Am I being selfish wanting to hold off a few more days just in case he might come naturally during that time? I'd never intentionally put my baby at risk, so if the doctor was adement that I holding off would cause more harm than good, I'd agree to get induced. I'm just low risk so I don't see the need to rush to induction unless there is a medical need. 

mauera07

@darkrose88 my doctors won't induce until  41+3 unless medically necessary. I went to 41 with DS and had no issues. However, my office will order an ultrasound and nst at 41 weeks to check on baby and placenta, so maybe that is an option you can ask about? I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to start labor naturally especially if there isn't a medical reason to induce. FX that baby decides to come on their own and you don't even need to worry about all this. 

Cricket99

@steph30032 Yes, that was my first pregnancy. This go around with Little Miss has been measuring right on track with only one high blood pressure reading (I went back the next day for a check and it was completely normal). So it can be totally random. My mom had gestational diabetes with my sister, but not with me. One of my friends has 5 kiddos and has had 3 completely textbook pregnancy, one with hypertension, and one with GD. 

mindaa

@darkrose88, I don't think it's selfish at all, if not medically necessary. On the website evidence based birth, there is a good article about due dates that might give you some reassurance. And Maueraa07 had a great suggestion about requesting a scan.

Can you also talk to your Doctor and birth center about starting with non-drug induction options like a Foley bulb?

I have a game plan in place to do whatever I can to encourage the baby to exit (to avoid induction, if needed). I'm ready to to try herbs, acupuncture, pumping, listening to the hypnobabies birth day tracks. Heck, even castor oil if it comes down to it. Of course, ultimately the baby has to be ready to come out... But positive thinking can't hurt either.

chiknnuggetrubin

@steph30032 I know this reply is late but wanted to offer some reassurance: I just went through the same thing. At 33 week growth ultrasound, Iris was 7th percentile. I had to start doing twice weekly NSTs (to make sure there wasn't a placental insufficiency. All those went perfectly fine. At 36 weeks, she hadn't grown enough and my doctor decided to induce at 37 weeks. My baby is small but otherwise totally healthy! She is 12 days old and has put on a little over half a pound and is gaining weight quickly. That's why they induce with IUGR. Our babies tend to thrive outside the womb. So just try not to stress. Trust your doctor (and your kick counts). Pick up some preemie sized clothes!! Warm ones!

darkrose88

@maueraa07 and @mindaa thanks for the reassurance ladies. I've always had a very strong feeling he was going to be late (like me). I'd prefer to try natural methods of induction first (like acupuncture, castor oil, etc) before jumping right into pitocin. I'll talk to My doctor on Wednesday and see if she is willing to wait. I really hope it is a non-issue and he shows up in the next week.