Baby is small...Delivering at 37 Weeks

podgorski

I've been attending dr. appts 2x a week for the past 3 months & I am now 36 weeks pregnant.  I have biophysical profiles on Monday (to check bloodflow, placenta, fluid, movement, etc) and nonstress tests on Thursday (for heart beat and movement).  The only problem they've seen throughout this whole ordeal is that the baby is measuring small.

 Now they plan on inducing me (or csection) next Thursday because the baby is small.  2 days ago at my appt the baby measured at 4lbs 3 oz & only has 10 days to grow inside of me!  

 I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this???  I'm not worried about her being too small, but I just want to make sure she's developed and won't have any immediate issues due to them taking her out of me before she's ready!  And if she's small I'm worried she needed more time to grow inside of me!

Also, I will most likely be having a c-section because she's currently still head up!

Please leave advise/information for me!

Thanks!

sassafras007

My daughter was 3 lbs at birth at 34 weeks. I had the steriod shot and she was in the NICU 16 days witha  feeding tube nothing more...

greeneyed_bride

The only reason they're inducing is that she's small? Did they explain why that's necessary? That doesn't really make sense to me. I wouldn't be agreeing to an induction without more of an explanation than that. I feel like there has to be more to it than that.

Kristine Schilling

my understanding is that when a Dr chooses to deliver early due to size its because the baby is not growing properly.

Did they indicate she has a growth problem not just measureing a bit small?

katcarls

We were diagnosed with IUGR at 38 weeks.  DS was measuring small, less than 10th percentile, but my MW was fine with avoiding induction.  We did BPPs with NSTs every few days and he always scored perfectly.  I went into labor the day before my due date and he was 5 lb. 13 oz.  He had to have an IV for a day because he couldn't maintain his blood sugar but that was it.  I'm glad we were able to wait so I knew he was developmentally ready and had time to gain as much weight as he could.

If you would rather wait, you could ask about frequent monitoring.  As long as everything looks great, you could give the baby more time.  I don't know all the details of your medical situation though and it depends on what you're comfortable with too.

BFab11

Is she dropping in percentiles or not growing at all? If there is IUGR or something else to indicate that she's not developing on the inside then yes, but if she's just measuring behind then I would choose to wait and be monitored frequently. 

I feel like there has to be more to it for a doc to suggest induction or c section. 

podgorski

All of my tests have been perfect besides the growth.  At the beginning around 16 weeks she was measuring on track, but for the past 3 months she's been in less than the 5th % is what they're telling me.  I was measured 3 wks ago and she was 3lbs 3oz & then after 3 wks she is 4lbs 3oz.  So she is growing, but not at a high enough rate to get her out of the lowest 5%.

 They said they recommend inducing because sometimes a small baby is due to an issue with the placenta (which they haven't seen any problems w/in my tests) and that they believe the baby might just do better on the outside.

AshWest

I don't have any advice, but I am facing the exact same thing right now. I am 34 weeks and a few days and have a feeling I will be following in your footsteps in a few weeks. I wish you ALL the best and would love to hear how things are progressing for you.

kdiguise

I was in a similar situation during my last pregnancy. My daughter started measuring small regularly so I had numerous BPPs and NSTs and growth ultrasounds with MFM. She always appeared to be healthy, just very small (less than 4th percentile). I was monitored for many weeks and at one point they measured her then measured her again after some days and she had not grown at all. In my case, my placenta was starting to age too quickly and was looking 'ratty'. So they decided she would be better out than in since she was no longer thriving inside. I was induced at 37w1d and she was 5lbs8oz. My first was born at 36 weeks and was 5lbs7oz so I tend to think that I just make small babies, but she did stop growing which is why I was induced. She was perfectly healthy, just a peanut. Good luck with everything! And don't hesitate to ask your doctor if you have any questions or reservations.

Leap08

It sounds to me like they are concerned about IUGR (interuterine growth restriction). My daughter had this. Basically, there's something that is preventing your baby from growing in the womb. With my daughter, it was placenta and fluid issues. They usually induce IUGR babies early because they grow better on the outside than on the inside. I'm pretty sure they're giving you 10 days just to make sure her lungs are fully developed. My daughter was induced (ended up with a c-section as IUGR babies often don't handle pitocin very well) at 38 weeks exactly. She weighed 5lbs 6oz at birth and never spent a moment in the NICU. Good luck. Hope this helps.

lauraua

I think your doctor knows best, and you should trust him or her.  I had my 1st baby at 36 and half weeks.  She weighed 4 lbs 7 oz and was perfectly healthy.  She did not spend time in the NICU.   I had developed pre-e and had low fluid.  In your case, it sounds like baby will probably thrive on the outside.  I've heard of scenerios like yours many, many time.  It happens often.  The measure that your doctor is taking is a common one.  It makes sense to me.  

cheese.fiend

podgorski:

All of my tests have been perfect besides the growth.  At the beginning around 16 weeks she was measuring on track, but for the past 3 months she's been in less than the 5th % is what they're telling me.  I was measured 3 wks ago and she was 3lbs 3oz & then after 3 wks she is 4lbs 3oz.  So she is growing, but not at a high enough rate to get her out of the lowest 5%.

 They said they recommend inducing because sometimes a small baby is due to an issue with the placenta (which they haven't seen any problems w/in my tests) and that they believe the baby might just do better on the outside.

Have they checked the insertion of the umbilical cord to the placenta with a Level II u/s w/ color doppler?  

I was diagnosed with velamentous cord insertion (VCI) at 24 weeks and was told it could severely inhibit the baby's growth during the 3rd Tri and to prepare for an induction or c-section if the growth restrictions posed a problem.  VCI means that the cord is improperly implanted into the placenta - think of it as a leaky garden hose.  

I would ask your doctor if s/he has ruled out VCI and/or VP (vasa previa).  Both are most easily diagnosed w/ the Level II Color Doppler u/s.  

jen mayhill

We are in the same boat.  At first we were told it was iugr.  Over the last four weeks, they have determined that he is likely to be constitutionally small since he is still growing, but is below the tenth percentile.  Since he is below ten percent, they have determined they will induce at 39 weeks to avoid the potential of stillbirth. They have also said that if at any point the placenta or cord appear to be compromised (iugr) they will schedule a c-section for the same reasons mentioned above...better chance of growth and development outside versus in. Best of luck to you and your lo