37 week apt

So I went to my weekly ob appointment today, expecting good news. Id been contracting all week so I thought for sure my cervix would have changed, but im still a 2. Then she starts feeling my belly and tells me she is concerned that the baby isnt gaining weight, the she feels 'reeeeeaaally tiny'. I had never thought she would be on the small side, as in May she was almost 4lbs, in the 60th percentile. Last week she had mentioned that I hadnt gained anything in 2 weeks, but when the girl weighed me today I had gained almost 4lbs in one week. She told me she thinks it may be water weight since its been so hot and im retaining some fluid. She poked and prodded and said this baby feels very small. She DID say, almost as an after thought, that she has been wrong before, that some moms hide big babies really well. So she has me scheduled on Tues am for an ultrasound to check the weight as well as a biophysical profile. Im curious as to what a biophysical profile is? I didnt think to ask her because my head was spinning after all that info. Have any of you ladies had a dr say the baby wasnt gaining etc? Any thoughts, suggestions or stories are appreciated!!

Jen

yup mine is hardly gaining weight, was measuring only a week behind until about 33 weeks where they noticed that her growth had fallen below the 10th percentile and was measuring 3 weeks behind. We've been diagnosed with IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and are being induced next thursday 7/15at 38wks and 2 days so that we can fatten her up on the outside.
Biophysical is going to check fluid  levels and "breathing" patterns in baby, muscle tone is also checked (all by ultrasound)  i have one 2x a week during my nst's. They basically want to check that she is otherwise developing even if she isnt gaining weight.  Mine have always come back normal, just her weight is off so its time for her to get out.
I wouldnt worry too much if shes only assuming shes small by touching ur belly, they'll be able to tell u much more after the ultrasound. Either way u are already considered full term, even if they were to suspect IUGR, chances are you'll just have a small baby, no other complications otherwise.
Good luck, and keep us posted!

Blanca,

Thank you so much for your response! Ive been feeling so down all day. Of course I feel like its my fault because of my surgery (I know logically its not that, but I still FEEL like it) and just down in general because no one wants to hear something less than positive. I had assumed she had been growing great, my belly seems large to ME. I can hardly wait untill Tuesday and will ******vous wrec****ill then. Did they say how much your baby wweighs now or what causes the restricction? Please let us all know how your induction goes!! Thanks again so much for responding, you really have reassured me so much!!

This is in NO WAY your fault, even if it really is happening. They told me alot of that crap with Tristan, he looked small, there didn't appear to be enough fluid, ... no I think they were really trying to just scare the crap out of me. Tristan weighed 9 pounds, 21 inches and had tons of fluid. So much that when the Dr. broke my water he was all confused and was like "this isn't low fluid, this is a lot, but the sonogram said... " he just kept saying it over and over to himself.

You're in the home stretch, even if there is some reason that she's not gaining weight, she will when you get her out. remember, breast milk is sugar water and formula is all carbs!

Good luck, I hope the sonogram makes you feel a little better.

Yay! So glad someone was able to explain the biophysical profile. Hang in there lady. I know it'll be hard to wait til Tuesday. Text me any time you feel anxious, I'll talk you off the ledge (0: 

Tina

I have a friend that was measuring small and even went in for an ultrasound to check the size. Everything said the baby was small but when he was born a few weeks later everyhing was wrong. He was over 8 pounds and the biggest of all her kids. Well, either the tests were wrong or he really bulked up (We are talking 3 pounds in a short time.). Good luck with all of this.

I'm glad i was able to give u some assurance. I know you'll be nervous until Tuesday, but just try to focus on the positive, the fact that you are term is already great news.
My last ultrasound was on Friday and baby was estimated at about an ounce shy of 5lbs, still very small and below the 5th percentile for her gestational age. Still she was showing adequate blood flow to brain and from her cord and showing great "breathing" patterns and reactions (heart rate) to movements.
They suspect she is just fine and just no longer getting what she needs to fatten her up from the placenta or cord and that she will fatten right up when once delivered.
Of course, as mentioned before by many, an ultrasound is not spot on when it comes to weight..more often Ive heard that they can be off by 1 to 2 lbs in either direction, i am of course hoping that she is actually a bit larger then is estimated!


p.s. I completely understand how you would suspect surgery to have played a part in this issue, believe me it was my first thought, but i was quickly assured by each Dr that they did not suspect WLS had anything to do with her weight issues. They kept telling me that if anything i would be the one suffering, not her!

I'll definitely keep u guys posted on the induction (im secretly hoping she'll come on her own before BUT ive come to terms with having to be induced as the best option for baby)

This pregnancy has been incredibly stressful for you, hasn't it?  and it's all be legitimate things to stress you out!   I'm glad that you're so close to the end and hope the tests come back showing a nice fat little baby inside there.  Hang in there...you've got less than a week for this u/s and test...and maybe you'll be ready to bring her into this world where you can hold her and have the proof in your arms that it's all been worth it.

[[HUGS]]

I dont know why, but by the time I read all of your comments, I was sobbing. Thank you to each and every one of you guys for being so understanding, compassionate and informative. This pregnancy HAS been so tough, and I never realized how much I took healthy pregnancy for granted with my other three. Im glad this is my last pregnancy, and I really cant wait untill Tuesday, but honestly there is a small part of me that wonders if i'll make it to then. Im STILL contracting, although I contracted alot last week with no change, so I could be wrong... My tummy has been upset all day and I just feel yucky. I know stress will do that to you too. Anyways, thank you again so much for everything!!!

 Hey....I just wanted to let you know I'm right there with you.  I'm 38 weeks tomorrow...have been having contractions for weeks now, and am now 1-2 cm dilated.  I honestly don't even know what that means! so I'm nervous (and I've had two pregnancies before but c-sections).  

Also, by my tummy she is measuring very small (I've also not gained a single pound this pregnancy and dealing with trying to stay out of ketosis all the time), but they honestly don't seem super concerned because she is active and my last ultrasounds were fine.  Plus they say measurements can be so off...even by ultrasound, but I haven't had an ultrasound in about a month and a half...so I'm worried of course.    

My last ultrasound was a biophysical by a high risk and basically they just measure EVERYTHING...including breathing and fluid levels, but it's really no big deal and even they say it can be off by up to three pounds so they usually don't get concerned unless it is significantly off.

I know I'm babbling, but I've been up since 3am (nesting I think lol) and just wanted ot try to reassure you that everything should be fine!


Good luck!  I'm thinking of you.

-Jennifer