Bad 37w appt -IUGR? - now scared

Christine&Chris

I had my 37w appt today and got so much unexpected news. First off, absolutely everything up until today had been great - we always measured spot on, my weight has been excellent, hb always strong. Then we had our growth ultrasound...

Little Cate is really little! She's measuring at 5lbs, which is the 3%. My BP is rising, my vision is getting blurry, I'm starting to get swelling, and fundal height dropped 3cm to 34cm (which I all thought was normal 37w stuff), and now doc is talking IUGR.  She stated quite clearly, multiple times - I asked multiple times - that we will not be going past 39 weeks no matter what.  I'm not sure if anyone on this board knows or if anyone else is trying to be - but we were hoping to use the Bradley Method and have a med and intervention free birth. We've been working towards this since 18w and I basically got slammed in the face with a "No Way" today.

Doc is allowing me to majorly up the protein and see if we can increase baby's weight - she's passing her NST (which we'll now have every week and started today); by feel doc says she "feels" like a 6lber; movement and hb are all good....They'll let me have another growth scan in 2 weeks, but if no change it's an immediate induction.

I can't even convey how disappointed I am. DH is being SO positive and supportive - the US can be off, our due date can be off (which originally was May 4), more protein can help, or she can come on her own before then...but I'm still sad and scared.

Anyone else working with similar stats and have a doc okay with it/allowed to go to 40+w?  I googled IUGR and really wish I hadn't....

Oh, and to add insult to injury, we're GBS+, so I'd have to get to the hospital early enough to get an antibiotic IV before delivery..which totally deflats my hopes, should a Bradley birth come true, of staying home until feeling "pushy."

Temp38995750004016

Honestly, if my doctor mentioned IUGR and I had sign of pre-e (which you do), the last thing on my mind would be disappointment over medical intervention and birthing methods.  Things can't always go how we want them to and the ultimate goal is a healthy baby and healthy mommy, right?

 If Cate isn't getting the nourisment to grow that she needs, the best thing for her might be an early delivery.  Plus, 37w is considered full term (ish).  If I go into labor at 37w my doctor won't do anything to prevent it.  Be happy you  made it this far with a healthy pregnancy!

elisbu just delivered via c-section her LO today at ~35w, measuring 32 or 33 because of IUGR.

JessicaG56

Good luck with everything there is always next time for the labor u always wanted. Been a rough couple of days around here with elisbu and her daughter so u probably won't get a bunch of rainbows over this. I would just trust in ur dr and pray!

Christine&Chris

pook:

Honestly, if my doctor mentioned IUGR and I had sign of pre-e (which you do), the last thing on my mind would be disappointment over medical intervention and birthing methods.  Things can't always go how we want them to and the ultimate goal is a healthy baby and healthy mommy, right?

 If Cate isn't getting the nourisment to grow that she needs, the best thing for her might be an early delivery.  Plus, 37w is considered full term (ish).  If I go into labor at 37w my doctor won't do anything to prevent it.  Be happy you  made it this far with a healthy pregnancy!

elisbu just delivered via c-section her LO today at ~35w, measuring 32 or 33 because of IUGR.

Pook you're totally right! I just have to get my head around it...Ultimate goal IS healthy baby and mom. I was just so surprised.... Helps hearing positive spins on it :-)

Temp38995750004016

Christine&Chris:

pook:

Honestly, if my doctor mentioned IUGR and I had sign of pre-e (which you do), the last thing on my mind would be disappointment over medical intervention and birthing methods.  Things can't always go how we want them to and the ultimate goal is a healthy baby and healthy mommy, right?

 If Cate isn't getting the nourisment to grow that she needs, the best thing for her might be an early delivery.  Plus, 37w is considered full term (ish).  If I go into labor at 37w my doctor won't do anything to prevent it.  Be happy you  made it this far with a healthy pregnancy!

elisbu just delivered via c-section her LO today at ~35w, measuring 32 or 33 because of IUGR.

Pook you're totally right! I just have to get my head around it...Ultimate goal IS healthy baby and mom. I was just so surprised.... Helps hearing positive spins on it :-)

I know, I am sure you are freaking the eff out right now! Honestly I would be disappointed too but as long as your little girl gets here safe and sound, that's all that matters. Keep us updated!! Maybe you'll go into labor naturally before your next growth check and get the labor you want, you never know.

kck329

The positive spin? Your baby weighs around 5 pounds and you are 37 weeks. That means you can realistically plan to bring her home with you when you leave the hospital. If she does have a NICU stay, it will be very short since she is a term baby and her weight is up.

 I also had to give up my hopes of a non-medicated birth in exchange for an emergency c-section so I really do understand your disappointment but you have a lot to be thankful for in this situation. Good luck and I hope she grows for you so you can have the birth you want!

Nuttyone

So sorry things aren't going as you had planned and hoped!  Just focus on keeping you and your little one healthy!  Hang in there! (hugs!)

MilosMommy7

honestly, i dont think 5 lbs at 37 weeks is THAT big of a concern. when i had a growth scan (i have GD) at 29w6d she measured 3 lbs 11oz. and then had another at 32w6d and she measured the exact same as 3 weeks before. he told me to increase my protein and see what it did. i found everything i could with high protein and then ate atleast 1 extra snack a day. today at my growth scan she had made it to 5 lbs 7oz (i'll be 36 weeks tomorrow/friday). if anything i'd be more concerned with possibly having pre-e. good luck with everything i'm hoping to have a med free natural birth, but since being diagnosed with GD it kinda slapped me in the face since i have a high chance of not being able to have the birth i want. you just hve to wait and see how everything goes. as for being GBS+ there's no way getting around the IV drop and i would rather have that than risk the baby being infected. you can still have a med-free natural birth. just not at home

AMYRENEE27

I am surprised that 5 lbs at 37 wks is only in the 3rd percentile!

I would look at the positive side, 37 weeks is a great milestone and 5lbs+ could be a healthy weight.

Good luck with everything!

Christine&Chris

Thanks girls - I'm feeling better already about it all; we had a late appt last night and "digested" the news by sharing during my initial freak out.  We're going to be fine - I'm already pumping the protein like crazy and taking some time off work to put my feet up and relax. And birth plans have to be flexible; anything can happen at any time!

andigurl

Christine&Chris:

And birth plans have to be flexible; anything can happen at any time!

 

You said it best.  I know it's probably hard to remember this when you are faced with such news as you did yesterday, but your health and that of your baby is the most important.  Best of luck in the coming days/weeks.

MilosMommy7

good to hear you're feeling better about the situation.  looks like all the protein and extra snacks worked for me  hopefully you see some results with the increased protein as well.