Baby not growing

[Rainbowbrite]

Hi again,

Have just had a very stressful visit to the Clinic. I'm 36 weeks today and have just been told that my measurement is only 33cm, same as it was 2 weeks ago :eek: They have basically told me that the baby must not be growing and thriving anymore. What is amazing me though is that my stomach looks a lot bigger than it did then, and everyone has noticed it. It has definitely changed shape though too.

To make matters worse, they are sending me for an “urgent” ultrasound – but I can’t get in to have this until Friday NEXT WEEK. Not happy at all :mad: So for the next week I’ll be ****ting myself and hoping that all is well.

I’m really scared now and don’t know what to do. I had all intentions of staying at work for another week, but don’t know if I’ll be able to concentrate or cope with the stress. That and we’re moving house tomorrow. Really don’t need this at the moment.

Any advice, please? :(

[Mumof2+1]

Hi darl,
Try not to stress(hard I know) I got big realy quick & my measurements haven't realy changed for a few weeks now but like you my belly has gotten alot bigger and different shape. Also if your 36weeks, it's possible that you have already started to drop and that can cause your mesurements to stop or even decrese.
In saying that, it is possible bubs is not growing much and the ultrasound will show if thats the case & if so they may want to induce you early wich from what I've been told, will be fine at 36or 37weeks. Remembering that they class you term at 37weeks. My advice is to do your fetal kick counts and if there fine don't worry about anything.

Trish

[Jamily]

I am now 34 weeks but at my 33 week appointment my fundal height was 31cm and only 1cm more than my 30 week measurement. The midwives weren't concerned at all - I was told that I had a long body! Apparently fundal height measurement is not as accurate as once thought and its used as a guide. I suspect that everyone is being over-cautious which can only be a good thing - I am trying not to worry too much!

Have a look below:

Fundal height measurements were adopted mainly because it was believed they were more accurate than just the caregiver feeling (or palpating) the woman's belly with their hands. Observational studies in the 1980's estimated that detection rates of very small babies by palpating were about 30 to 50% successful and by doing fundal heights this may be increased to about 56% to 86%. However, a small random study in 1990 found that fundal height measurement was about 28% accurate and abdominal palpation about 48%. More recently, a larger random study found that fundal height measurement was about 46 to 48% accurate, with abdominal palpation about 24 to 29% accurate.

At this stage there appears on balance to be some benefit in doing fundal height measurements. However, caregivers concede it is not always reliable and we don't really have any technique that is more than 50% accurate. Bearing this in mind it is important to view fundal heights as just a guide, with very limited ability in detecting unusually small or large babies. Even the popular use of ultrasound in recent years to estimate a baby's weight has been shown to be up to 10 to 15% out, or + / - 400 to 600 grams (1lb, to 1lb 6oz) and cannot really be relied upon.

and also....

Fundal heights tend to be used from about 16 to 37 weeks of the pregnancy, with their greatest benefit believed to be between 22 to 34 weeks. A 'text book' fundal height is supposed to equal the same amount of weeks as the pregnancy. For example, 20 weeks pregnant = 20 cms and so forth (up until about 36 to 37 weeks). However, fundal height measurements can fluctuate 2 to 4 cms higher or lower than the 'norm' for various reasons, with the baby still being very normal and healthy. The reasons for not having a 'text book' fundal height can include:


The position of your baby. Fundal height measurements are designed to measure babies who are lying in a head down position. A baby in a breech position may measure higher and a baby in a transverse position (lying across ways) or oblique position (lying diagonally) will measure significantly lower.

Physical differences in each woman's height and weight. The fundal height can vary between very tall and very short women. Also women who are very slim can measure less and women who are over their ideal weight can measure more.

If this is your first or subsequent baby. Women having their first baby tend to have tighter abdominal muscles and ligaments that hold their uterus in place more at the 'expected' level. Women having their second or subsequent baby tend to carry lower and may measure less, although during earlier pregnancy the uterus can be more bulky and measure higher.

Differences in a woman's family history and ethnicity. Some women tend to have smaller babies in their families and other women tend to have larger babies. A baby's size will tend to follow the woman's family history not the man's (contrary to popular belief). Women of Asian ethnicity often tend to have smaller babies when compared to women from pacific island or Maori backgrounds.

Different caregivers. It has been acknowledged that the accuracy of fundal height measurements is very much affected by the woman seeing different maternity caregivers at each pregnancy visit. Each caregiver will measure in a slightly different way, affecting the overall results.

The caregiver 'accommodating' the measure. Although not intentional, it has been noted that caregivers can tend to 'make the measurement' closer to what they would like it to be by overstretching the tape or making it looser. This can also make women feel better if they see that their measurement is 'normal'. Some caregivers will turn the tape over and measure the fundal height blindly before looking at the result to try and overcome this .

Sorry for all the info, but thought it might be useful and put your mind at rest. :)

[mummyb]

hello
i can imagine now scared you must be, but try not to get to upset.
if your still feeling loads of kicks (if your not i found the best trick was going and getting a really icey cold drink sitting down somewhere realy quite and drinking it down then put your hands on your belly and count the kicks it may be old fashion but it worked for my lazy baby.
if they thought it was really urgent they would squeeze you in or send you somewhere else they have a duty of care to you and your baby.
but if tommorow your still worried ring the hospital and ask to be seen explain how worried you are and ask if you could get moved forward in the ultrasound clinic.
if that dosent work go to your g.p and talk to them they will know you well enought to be able to tell if your over reacting or not.
dont let people bully you around cause your young ,explain clearly what your concerns are .
im sure everything will be fine but you need to understand what is happening and from the sounds of it someone hasnt done ther job probally ,
let us all know how you go where all here no matter what your going through .
good luck :D

[Rainbowbrite]

Well I have just had the worst night of my life :( I have not slept at all, and have not stopped bawling since i got up. Its probably just me being tense and stressed but i haven't felt her move as much as normal, and no-where near as strong. I'm pretty sure she has the hiccups as we speak. But i just can't help but worry.

I tried my hardest to get a scan early- believe me, but because there is a specialist on site they already have an emergency waiting list of more than 10 people. They said that I am at the top of that list so hopefully someone will cancel.

Might have to try the cold drink again. How many movements should i feel and in what time frame?

What is worrying me is that big baby's run in my family, so they have always been worried that it'll be too big. So do early arrivals, so i can only hope she's laying strange. Pretty sure she has begun to drop though because my bladder can hold nothing at the moment.

Oh well i guess i'll go sit down, have a cuppa and try to compose myself a little before going to work. If i stay home it'll just give me too much time to think.

Thanks again
Rainbowbrite

[Mumof2+1]

Morning rainbow,
I guess your as tired as me. Have also been awake all night due to extreme pain.
Very often bubs movements slow down and aren't as strong as you get closer to delivery. Usualy this happens around 36weeks. When you do your fetal kick counts, you should feel about 10 in 1hour. If you don't, that's ok. Just have something warm or cold(cold is usualy better) to drink then lie down & try the kick count again. Still don't be alarmed if you count less than 10 , it could just be that bubs is sleeping. Wait a few hours & when you feel bub move, lay down & do the count again. If a whole day goes by & you've tried to do the kick count a couple of times but still have not had many kicks, then I would go and see your doc.
hope that helps.
Thinking of you.

Trish

[pinkandblue]

Hi
I just went and found my card from when I was pregnant with my daughter. When I was 36 weeks I measured 37. At 37 weeks and 38 weeks I was still 37. At 39 weeks I was 38 so for 3 weeks I was the same. I was never told there was anything to worry about and had my daughter at 41 weeks and she was born with no problems.
Hope this makes you feel a little better. Try not to worry too much, everything should be fine.
Natalie

[H&B'sMum]

Hi Rainbowbrite,
I feel for you cause I know excately what you are going through. This happened to me when I was pregnant with DS. At 32 weeks I measured 30 weeks and was send off to have an "urgent" u/s as well. I was luckier than you it appears as I only had to wait 2 days for mine. If bub wasn't growing they were going to get us to 36 weeks then induce, as my GP said "better out than in at this stage". At the u/s the Dr measured everything really carefully and although bub was on the small side of averge he was still within the averge. Harry was born at 39 weeks weighing 6lbs 6ozs, a little small but still normal.
I believe it also has to do with the parents build. My Dh and I are both tall so I figuered that Harry was going to be long and thin, which he is. I still have people commenting on how small he looks but that's only cause he's not a chubby bubby. So if you and/or you partner are tall then that may have something to do with it. I know how hard it is not the worry you have been told something like this, just try to keep your strength up and rest as much as possible.
Good luck

[xkwzit]

Hi Rainbowbrite
In the hope of making you feel better, my OB NEVER measured fundal height or even weighed me. He did not think that they were important. He would listen to my baby's heartbeat at every visit and palpate (is that the right term?) feel the baby and check her size that way. With DD1, he did a late ultrasound to check the amount of fluid remaining around her and the condition of the placenta (was just a routine check though - he had an ultrasound device in his rooms). With DD2 even that wasn't done.

I hope this helps to put everything in perspective. Remember lots of very large babies come from seemingly small wombs (and vice versa ;) ).

Cheers (and hopefully cheerier tomorrow)

[bubhub]

Hi Rainbowbrite

I had exactly the same thing with both my second and third pregnancies.

At my 36 week check-up (with my second child), they suddenly decided that the fundal height measurement had actually gone down from the previous measurement and that they needed to do an ultra-sound to check that bub was ok. They did manage to get me an ultrasound that afternoon, and everything was absolutely fine. The baby's head had just moved down further into my pelvis and so was taking up less space in my stomach and so the measurement of the fundal height seemed less. Baby was born at 41+ weeks at 6lb 11oz, which is on the smaller/average side, but when they have to come out, small isn't so bad!!

With my third child, the fundal height measurement was again low at 36 weeks, but I'd had a scan at 32 weeks where everything was fine, and so the midwives just decided that as they had a heartbeat and movements, everything was fine. Bub was born 40 weeks+9 days at a very respectable 8lb 2oz.

Fingers crossed that you have a similar situation and there's nothing to worry about. Could you ask to get a private scan just to put your mind at rest? Last time I had a scan privately it cost about $120, I think, and about $80 was refunded on medicare. This was done at a Southern Cross Centre in Brisbane - you'd need a gp referral.

Good luck
hilary

[Rainbowbrite]

Thanks for all the advice.

Haven't felt much movement in the last 36hours, guess its because I haven't stopped. We moved house and have been in pain with the pelvic condition that i haven't felt much else. Would the pelvic condition get worse with her dropping and putting more pressure on the area?

Oh and xkwzit, I am 5 foot 7, and DH is just over 6 foot, so yeah we are kinda tall i guess. My family is well built though too. Maybe bub will be a throwback like me :confused:

I'm just going to take it easy for the next week - well try to with the unpacking and everything, have the scan on Friday and hope for the best. I looked at my copy of the chart and the heartbeat was 150 so nothing to worry about there i guess. As you have said, its pretty much at term now so nothing to stress about. Just means i get my baby sooner rather than later, nothing to complain about :D

Thanks so much again, means os much to have support from people i've never met :)

[mummyb]

if the others are anything like me ,we all want to know how everything goes for you on friday !!
i have been praying for you and your baby, hope thats ok ?i know that some people arent in to that but its the only thing i can do for you.
ive lived up the coast and i know how differen the hospitals are up there it can be frustrating .just enjoy your self your baby will be safe in your arms soon.
and we will all be waiting to give you our love and support .
take care.love mummyb :)

[Rainbowbrite]

Got a call yesterday morning and the appointment is now on Wednesday (tomorrow) so i'll update asap. At the moment i'm getting beaten up so i'm feeling alot better. Also unpacked the baby's new room, so even if an appearance is made, we are getting prepared :D

Oh and Mummyb, thanks so much, thanks so much. There has to be someone/something out there that can pull some strings if asked enough :) Every little bit helps. :cool:

Thanks again
Rainbowbrite

[willsmum]

Hang in there. The odds of something going really worng at this stage are very low. My ob even admitted that he has no idea of babies sizes based on measurements. He guessed 8 or 9 lbs for William and he was just over 6 1/2 lbs. My friend had a whopper 10 1/2lbs (same ob) and he guessed 8 or 9 for that one too.

I know you probably won't sleep tonight, but remember there are an awful lot of us thinking of you.

[Rainbowbrite]

Hi again,

Just letting you all know that all is well :D I had the Ultrasound and they said that there are no problems that they could see, she's not small - already approx 7lb with VERY long legs. The woman who did the scan could't get over the length of them :eek: Looks like we can expect a big bubba, which i'm relieved about.

So yes, no reason for me to have her (yes i double checked and they are still confident) early and no news on when to expect her. Fluid levels are all normal, placenta is healthy, cord is doing its job.

So yeah, i can now relax bit. Finish work on saturday, and by then i'll be 37 weeks, then i can focus on resting till the big day.

Thanks again for all your concern, advice and just for being there for me when i needed to talk. Looks like it was just another case of midwives making first-timers stress :rolleyes:

Rainbowbrite

[xkwzit]

Hi Rainbowbrite
Glad to hear that all is well in the womb...gee you'd think that midwives should know how easily they can freak us new mums out and keep their worst case prognosis in perspective. Don't they realise that we only do this once / twice (OK I know a few have you have gone four or more :) ) and that we don't have the benefit of a statistical sample of thousands of pg where the diagnosis was OK in the end. Sure these things NEED to be checked out (but hey a bit of sensitivity would be nice ;) )

Cheers

[tina]

hi i'm just new to this site & read your dilema rainbow Iknow its easy for us to say but try not to stress you'll just worry yourself sick. Go & have a HUGE bowl of really cold ice cream it'll get your little monkey Movin. I did exactly that when I was in the same situation not feeling mikayla moving like normal & I started stressing out. But all was fine in the end she let me know with a KICK in the ribs!!! :o

[BecH]

Hi Rainbowbright,

I am so relieved for you. I hope the rest of the pregnancy continues to go well. Not long now until you welcome this beautiful bundle.

Bec

[jamb]

I have been reading and following this- and i am so so glad all is well, keep rested and enjoy this little bit of time pampering yourself. Soon you will meet this little miracle, it is so exciting!
amy

[Jamily]

Hey Rainbowbrite

Really great news!

I had my hosp appointment today and although fundal height has increased by 1cm over the last two weeks, they are sending me for an ultrasound to check all ok. I am now 35+3 and measuring 32cm. Am trying to stay really calm (keeping in mind your positive outcome!) and I know that fundal height can be really inaccurate. Am still having loads of movement and bubs heartbeat 152 which is great.

Wish me luck :)

[Rainbowbrite]

Hey Rainbowbrite

Really great news!

I had my hosp appointment today and although fundal height has increased by 1cm over the last two weeks, they are sending me for an ultrasound to check all ok. I am now 35+3 and measuring 32cm. Am trying to stay really calm (keeping in mind your positive outcome!) and I know that fundal height can be really inaccurate. Am still having loads of movement and bubs heartbeat 152 which is great.

Wish me luck :)

Good luck with everything :) Really hope all is well for you. The scary thing is that i was 35+4 by their count and measured 33, 2 weeks in a row :eek: So close to yours its scary. And my bub's heartrate was 150.

Another update too. I got a call at work this afternoon saying that the Dr that was reviewing me to birth at Wyong would like to meet me tomorrow :( I'm hoping its a good sign. The midwives said as the only thing originally stopping me was my BMI and now the fundal height (which was found to be no-help) that it should be ok.

Fingers crossed.
Rainbowbrite

[Jamily]

Hey Rainbowbrite

Thanks for your message.

I also have good news which is that bub is perfectly healthy - cord, placenta and fluid all normal! They think she weighs about 5.5lbs which is a little on the small side, but with just over 4 weeks to go, she will pack on at least another 2 no probs.

good luck with Wyong - let me know how you get on.

[Rainbowbrite]

Hey Clairet,

Thats great to hear :D I saw the Dr to get reviewed to birth at Wyong and have got the all clear :D I'm so happy now. Considering i live less than 2km from the hospital.

He was really pleased with the scan results, felt the baby - which he estimated at between 6 & 7lb, then when he saw that her femur measurement is right at the top of the scale he said 7lb sounds right.

The only thing going against me was my BMI but seeing as i've only put on 11kg since my first visit with the midwives, they are really pleased with how everything is going.

So yes, everything is all good, now just gotta sit back, relax and enjoy my freedom until my darling baby decides she wants to see what i really look like :)

[jamb]

that is wonderful news, not long to go till you meet your little girl. glad everything was okay, enjoy the last few weeks- go and have some pampering!!

amy

[mummyb]

hi
i am so happy tp hear everything has worked out realy well.
not long now till you have your daughter in your arms then you will just forget all about the worry you have gone through.
dont forget to let us all know when she is born .
have you got any names pickd out yet?
oh yeah by the way 11kgs sounds awhole lot better than the 20 plus kilos i put on with both mine.
take care :p

[Rainbowbrite]

Thanks for all the messages :)

We do have a definate name picked out for her, and a back-up incase she's a he ;) but i'd rather not share till after the big day.

[H&B'sMum]

Glad to hear everything is good with bubba Rainbowbrite. All you need to do now is sit back, relaxe, sleep and wait. Good luck with the birth and can't wait to read your birth story.

[mummyb]

i love the idea of having the name pickd but not telling anyone.
we told everyone and everyone was like oh he's finally here like they all ready knew him all along.
i think finding out what your having is a realy good idea ,that way you can tell people and they seem to get a bit more organised for you ,like if a friend of a friend has girl baby clothing to give a way they will put there hand up for you ,or if they see something just to cute and they know what colour to buy you can end up with some really lovelly things.
im sure what ever you have pickd it will suit her,i love my name its briony but its pronuced bree-a-nee it means wild climbing rose and it just fits me wonderfuly as does my sisters name which is clare.
have fun :p

[jelibean]

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 37 week visit. Since my 34th week visit, I have not changed in weight or measurement of my tummy. I have been measuring about 33 weeks and have stopped. My weight has stayed the same during the past month. Everything was normal up until this point. The baby has been kicking, moving, and heart rate is strong. The doctor has now ordered a level-2 ultrasound to be done tomorrow. I'm concerned that he is just NOW ordering that and am freaking out. Should I not only be concerned about the well being of my baby, but also the competency of my doctor? He didn't perform a vaginal exam yesterday to see if I have dilated or effaced, he didn't even try to externally feel how the baby is positioned. He just said very nonchalantly, if the baby isn't growing anymore by next week or your ultrasound reveals that he is positioned breech or transverse, we will schedule a c-section. I appreciate any knowledge or advice that you can give me. I feel helpless and in the dark.

Jelibean

[angcaltam]

If you feel you have to ask for a second opinion. They can't get mad for you caring about your baby.
If you need to have a c-section then do it. It is your birth so do what you want or need to do.
Good luck with the ultra sound and please let us know how you go.
We are all thinking of you.
I'm sure that everything will be OK!!!

[maybe1more]

I went to the doctor yesterday for my 37 week visit. Since my 34th week visit, I have not changed in weight or measurement of my tummy. I have been measuring about 33 weeks and have stopped. My weight has stayed the same during the past month. Everything was normal up until this point. The baby has been kicking, moving, and heart rate is strong. The doctor has now ordered a level-2 ultrasound to be done tomorrow. I'm concerned that he is just NOW ordering that and am freaking out. Should I not only be concerned about the well being of my baby, but also the competency of my doctor? He didn't perform a vaginal exam yesterday to see if I have dilated or effaced, he didn't even try to externally feel how the baby is positioned. He just said very nonchalantly, if the baby isn't growing anymore by next week or your ultrasound reveals that he is positioned breech or transverse, we will schedule a c-section. I appreciate any knowledge or advice that you can give me. I feel helpless and in the dark.

Jelibean
Jelibean, I hope everything is ok will your next ultrasound, if u r unhappy with your dr then maybe you could ask for another doctor, i know i would if i didnt think he was up to scratch, he sounds a bit too blazay for my likeing. stay positive and calm im sure bub is just having a break and will catch up with growing next week. Is this your first babe? :)

[jelibean]

This is actually my second child. I had a very textbook, normal pregnancy with my first child. He was just over 8.5 pounds when I delivered him. I even went into labor the day he was due. So, I think this is even scarier for me because of the first pregnancy being so typical. I'm just really upset that doctor's can have such a pitiful bedside manner. We, as pregnanct women, are emotional and hormonal anyway and for something to possibly be wrong makes matters even worse. You would think as an OB/GYN with over 20 years experience, he would realize this.