I really need advice on what to do next

Hiya. I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant with my first. Throughout the whole pregnancy I had so many opinions from doctors. First they told me the baby’s head was small and sent me to UCLH. There, I’ve been told the baby’s head is fine but overall the baby is small. From 20 weeks I’ve been going there regularly. 3 weeks ago they sent me back to my normal hospital because they are seeing good/regular growth and happy with the baby’s size which is on 30th centile. Last week at my regular hospital they’ve told me the baby is on the 5th centile and very small. So now again I had to see specialists. This week they told me yes the baby is growing and everything is actually fine (they don’t know why it shows small) but they recommend since the baby weighs less, I should be induced around 37/38weeks and go for labour or think about c-section. They also did mention waiting would be risky because there might not be enough drs/staff due to christmas/new years holidays which sounds so stupid to me like thats my problem. My midwife also mentioned getting induced doesn’t really do anything and 80% of the time you end up with an emergency c-section anyways so I shouldn’t go through with the whole pain and just opt for cs. Did anyone experience things like this throughout their pregnancy, the inconsistency with the doctors reports and what would you recommend?

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I had rapid onset of pre eclampsia they wanted to induce me straight away but I declined and went for a c section, I said I don’t see the point of being in labour for 4 days to end up in theatre in an emergency situation just get baby here safe straight away x

I don't feel like having a small baby is any reason to be induced or have a c section. Some of us just make small babies. Trust yourself and your body. It's all estimates anyway. They tried forcing induction on me in my first pregnancy. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my son. What do YOU want? If the baby is growing, I see no risk in letting baby stay in for as long as they need to, unless there are other factors here.

Why wouldn’t they want you to go full-term and give baby a chance to gain weight, if that’s truly a concern? It’s sounding like they are pressuring you for induction or C-section because of the holiday. Risky because they don’t want to miss out on their plans. What does not enough staff in L&D during Xmas and new years look like? I personally would wait until I go into labor naturally, unless it’s a high risk to me and baby.

I'm 36wks tomorrow and my baby's growth rate has slowed down. The doctors have said they're probably wanting her delivered around 37/38wks and I've told them I'll go straight for a C-section. Hope everything goes okay x

It depends on whether they’re concerned something is causing growth to be slow & baby to be small eg. the placenta not working properly. If baby is small but they’re happy they’re growing then I’d ask for closer monitoring and try wait longer to deliver, give baby as much time inside as possible. Staff shortages in your Trust over Xmas is 100% not a reason for you to deliver your baby early and I would be making a complaint if that’s what they’re basing their advice on. That’s exceptionally poor. If I was thinking ok, let’s get baby out and it was between induction & section, personally I would go down the section route. This is based on personal experience of a failed induction, resulting in unplanned section. I don’t feel negatively about my experience particularly but with the benefit of hindsight, I wouldn’t be induced again. 48 hours of no sleep left me absolutely on my knees a by the time baby did arrive, I wouldn’t want that again. xx

I have had this, my baby started measuring small (5th centile) at 20 weeks but has fluctuated up and down between the 30th and 15th centile since then. I’m now 36 weeks and due for induction at 37 weeks, however this was my choice after a lot of long discussion and balance of risks vs benefits with my consultant. The reasoning for inducing a bit earlier with smaller babies is that there could be issues with the cord or placenta, my Doppler scans for cord flow have always been fine but in general the research shows that they do better and gain more weight on the outside. That being said, it is totally your decision and these things aren’t always an exact science either so there’s every chance that baby would be just fine going to full term! I am naturally very anxious and along with other risk factors to my health such as Crohn’s disease, it is the right decision to get her out slightly earlier as I couldn’t take the risk of my body no longer being safe for her.

Firstly the midwives Christmas schedule is neither of our concern or control so do not be pressured into an early induction to suit them, their staffing is down to them to sort and they will be very aware of the local mamas due around Christmas time. I did a lot of research into positive birthing and unless they state there is a risk to your babies health by waiting I personally would continue to wait till fill term or when baby naturally comes. Trust yourself, your gut. If you decide all the mix signals are too much then elect for a C-section xx