34 weeks pregnant, baby measuring small. Dr wants to induce

[buckwheaties]

Anyone’s baby was measuring in the 1 percentile?
When did you give birth and how much did baby end up weighing?

We are doing scans and monitoring once every week, and to me I feel like my baby is growing on a steady incline. Maybe small but.. growing. Maybe shes just a small baby because I’m small?

Her gains for reference:
2/14 2.5lbs
3/11 2.8lbs
4/8 4.2lbs

We are at 34 weeks now and my doctor wants to induce me at 36 weeks and 5 days!

I’m worried if that’s too early, I want her to be fully developed and not have to spend anytime in the NICU. I feel like they usually only induce early if your baby is measuring “too big”

I don’t have high blood pressure
Or swelling or any signs of preeclampsia
Is an IVF pregnancy though..

I just don’t see why she keeps saying the baby is small and I need to be induced when I feel like she would be average weight if we can wait till she’s full term!

Any input or similar experience please share to this conflicted mama. TIA

 

[pchris]

@buckwheaties Might be worth asking at r/beyondthebump

 

[buckwheaties]

@pchris Thanks! I’ll copy and paste and see what else I get to calm my nerves

 

[guitarguy0224]

@buckwheaties Measurements are ultrasound notoriously off. My baby jumped from 9th percentile to 72nd in the space of a week. They told me she would be above average weight, she was 6lb when born! They’re not very accurate.

I would wait until 38 weeks but obviously it’s up to you and health provider for what’s best.

 

[buckwheaties]

@guitarguy0224 I agree! Because to me… and according to my pregnancy app (lol) she’s growing fine. I totally want to push a couple more weeks out too! I rather have my baby cook more in my oven than the one outside. I have another appointment Monday and will ask more questions before I decide

 

[guitarguy0224]

@buckwheaties Good luck. I was pushed into unnecessary induction, regret it. advocate for yourself

 

[twobysmum]

@buckwheaties I can't say I have a similar experience with having a baby on the 1st percentile. I'm only 9 weeks pregnant with my first baby, but if it helps; I was born in 1994 with failure to thrive written all over my notes and as a baby I was on the first percentile for a long time. I was born at 38 weeks and I have lead a perfectly healthy life. I've always been on the smaller side in weight etc, but very healthy.

I know you're wanting advice about early induction, which I'm sorry I can't give, but I hope this could at least reassure you that 1 percentile babies can be healthy and thrive! I hope you're able to make the best decision for you and your baby. Good luck to you.

 

[buckwheaties]

@twobysmum Awe thank you for taking time out to share this with me. This definitely helps me feel better about baby if I go through early induction.

Wishing you a beautiful pregnancy, congratulations!

 

[mitsuha]

@buckwheaties My first was measuring irregularly (so legs were behind the growth of the head etc) but I had high BP yet no signs of preeclampsia. Saw an MFM who said my placenta was under too much stress from BP and do deliver soon bc I was at risk of stillborn baby. My son was born at 36 weeks and weighed 4lb 12pz. Turns out he had a birth defect with his intestines coming out of his umbilical cord. So he had to have surgery the next day and spent only a week in the NICU.

It does seem odd to push induction just because the baby is small with no other signs of anything. Babies can be small. Also sounds like you’re 2 weeks behind where I was and your baby is the same size as mine was when born. I would get a second opinion personally.

That being said, if your baby comes early at 36 weeks they may be totally fine to come home or only stay at the NICU for a few days. You’re probably not looking at a long stay unless there are other complications.