25 weeks pregnant, baby only on 10th percentile. Advice for a worry Mum please...

[Catherine4188]

Hello all,

I really really need some words of advice or knowledge to calm me down. Today I had an appointment at my new hospital after changing to a new one. I haven't seen specialist for 6 weeks. At the appointment the new hospital realised the old one didn't do a fetal echo. They weren't happy so tried to book one, they couldn't get an appointment for more than 3 weeks.

I had decreased movement sensation over the last 24 hours too so I mentioned it and they sent me for a scan. My baby had moved into a breach position with this feet very low down, hence why I felt less movement. So the lady said whilst I was there they would get some measurements and plot them for me. She did them all fine except the femur as the baby had his legs tucked under him. She struggled for 15 minutes and finally said she thought she got an ok measure. Same issue with the umbilical cord due to positioning she struggled to get a good reading of flow, but eventually did.

When she plotted the measurement she looked worried and said he was just around the 10th centile. My bump measurement the previous week was around the same.

So now I'm panicking. I have so many questions which they didn't answer as they just said I needed more scans and to be kept an eye on in the waiting room after having a discussion. I'm booked in for another scan in 1 and 2 weeks time. I wonder if you can help me get some answers before then...

Does a small baby mean he isn't developing properly or that he is just small?

Could he have a heart defect which is making him small?

My control is very tight and well managed so how can be diabetes be causing him to be small?

Can I do anything to help? Diet, vitamins?

Could it be wrong and I just need a better scan or do things really point towards a small baby?

Can things change and he get bigger and move up the centiles?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm just so worried and need some control or clarity. My previous baby born when I didn't have diabetes was always in the 75th + centiles.

Thanks for any advice. Xx

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

I am bumping your post so that it goes back up to the top of the recent posts where it will be more visible.

Your worry and your questions are perfectly understandable, but i think they would be best answered by an expert. Could you ring the hospital in the morning, and ask to speak to someone there?

If you are booked in for scans next week, and the week after, they are going to be monitoring you, and it may be that they cannot yet answer your questions because they need to see the results before they know more. Obviously that doesn't help your worries at the moment! But hopefully you will get some kind of explanation of expectations tomorrow when you ring.

Please let us know how you get on?

 

[Resurgam]

Don't just accept that the scan is giving you the right information - my son and daughter in law were told all sorts of things about the measurements of the baby in the last trimester of her pregnancy based on the scans - all of them proved to be wrong. The new grandchild seems to be entirely as she should be and is now 6 weeks old.
You'll have scans to check, and I am sure that if you do have concerns there will be a rapid response, but do try not to let your concerns overwhelm you.

 

[Catherine4188]

I've spoke to a consultant and diabetic midwife today. They are concerned but need to know if he is just small and if he stays on the 10th centile. However if he doesn't and drops at my next scan they might need to deliver him as my placenta is not working properly. I'm only just coming up to 26 weeks so this direction is very very scary. X

 

[DCUKMod]

Fingers crossed for you all, @Catherine4188 . When are you scanned next?

 

[Catherine4188]

Wednesday next week. Time can't go quick enough. They have told me the most important thing is to keep an eye on his movements. If they slow or I'm concerned they don't feel as strong I need to go in asap. He's been a busy baby today so fingers crossed that's a good sign. X

 

[Fleegle]

I've spoke to a consultant and diabetic midwife today. They are concerned but need to know if he is just small and if he stays on the 10th centile. However if he doesn't and drops at my next scan they might need to deliver him as my placenta is not working properly. I'm only just coming up to 26 weeks so this direction is very very scary. X

I know nothing about T1 or Diabetes and pregnancy so I cannot offer any support there.
My wife and I are the proud parents of a child born by caesarean at 26 weeks. Weighed 1lb 10oz. I do not know where that is in terms of percentile but as small as you get pretty much. Not easy, not a walk in the park but all fine. Fingers crossed you go full term or close to it - but our experience of prem was great. 19 years old now - where has the time gone.

Good luck.

 

[shoesy24]

Hi can give you my personal experience and my sisters. But also keep it in perspective. Its out of 100 babies born same day as your baby. Its just stupid measures they use. Yes it has some importance but tbh as long as baby is happy fed loved and encouraged. From birth. He/she will be fine.
I had gestational wanted to induce me from 38+9(i think) as thought was gonna be big.
My son was born 35 weeks and was 6lbs2. He’s 2 next month and weighs 12kg just below 75%ile Managed 3 months of breast and then flourished with formula.
My nephew- was born full term at 6lbs in April. He’s doing fine my sis also managed 4 months breast feeding. Just this week started weaning and he’s loving it. He is on the 2nd percentile. Both my sis and her partner are small built, 5’6 and ‘skinny’ too. What weight were you when born? And your partner?
As you’ll get bored of hearing each baby is different and will develop at different rates/ stages.
Theres lots of extra pressure with diabetes in pregnancy. Keep cool, even if your sugars are not behaving- don’t pass on stress to baby. Keep calm and you’ll be a fantastic mum.
Good luck with all your scans. Xx and Congratulations mummy to be.

 

[Catherine4188]

Does anyone know how type 1 diabetes causes small babies. All I've ever heard was that diabetes can cause big babies. X

 

[tigger]

I know it's difficult but just try to remain calm and rested and eat well. I don't know what you've been eating up til now but you will have been given the dietician sheets on what pregnant women should eat. Follow them. Do not take vitamins unless advised to and approved by your consultant.

How tall are you and your husband? Centiles are about how big babies are and the trend is more important than the one you're on. Fetal echos are not done at all hospitals it depends on Trust rules. With my first baby I had one, with the next I switched hospitals and they didn't do it and when I switched back to my first hospital they had stopped doing them for type 1 mothers too.

Good luck and I hope the next scan goes better.

 

[Scarlet10]

I've spoke to a consultant and diabetic midwife today. They are concerned but need to know if he is just small and if he stays on the 10th centile. However if he doesn't and drops at my next scan they might need to deliver him as my placenta is not working properly. I'm only just coming up to 26 weeks so this direction is very very scary. X

Hello Catherine
I had my little girl Lottie in June 10 weeks early. I was having regular scans and the last one at 29 weeks they noticed she just dropped a tiny bit on the centile. My placenta was failing so she wasn't getting what she needed. I was taken into hospital, I had steroids to help baby's lungs and scans every day to see if she was ok or in distress. After a week and being 30w 2days I had an emergency c section and she was only 2lb 9. Due to the steroids her lungs were boosted and after 6 weeks in neonatal intensive care unit she came home. Apart from being small for her age, she is 14 weeks and 8lb 1 today she is doing good.
Try and stay positive, it is scary but please be reassured NICU are amazing places. While we were there two babies born at 24weeks both did well and both have gone home this week at 39 weeks.
My control was very good and I had a perfect pregnancy till 29 weeks. They can't say why it happened or if it was down to diabetes which is very frustrating. Don't beat yourself up, try and maintain good control and take each day as it comes with every day baby is kept in being a bonus. Big hugs to you and bump x.

 

[Catherine4188]

Just thought I'd give you an update. I have now had 2 growth scans since the one mentioned. Both have shown that baby is on 50th centile and all is fine. So panic is over.

Thanks for all your support and advice. Xx

 

[Resurgam]

I am so glad to read your news.
My granddaughter who was scanned and declared to be huge for date, to have short legs huge head and chest and needed to be induced turned out to be exactly normal in every respect - except of course she was the most beautiful child born that day - probably that week - possibly even that month. She is now smiling.
I hope that all goes well for you from now on, and there are no more 'anomalies' found to worry you.

 

[Brunneria]

Just thought I'd give you an update. I have now had 2 growth scans since the one mentioned. Both have shown that baby is on 50th centile and all is fine. So panic is over.

Thanks for all your support and advice. Xx

That is fantastic news! Very pleased for you.

 

[Scarlet10]

Fantastic news xx