Did you see a specialist during your pregnancies?

Question

I’m 37 weeks and since 30 weeks my baby has been measuring behind a little bit. The clinic I go to doesn’t have any doctors who specialize in checking the umbilical cord. So my doctor has sent me twice to see a specialist.

I went for the second time today and he came in and looked at my baby for 3 mins and said “Has your doctor talked to you yet? Your baby is small. She needs to be out before the 11th of August. She’s barely measuring the 10th percentile. Otherwise everything looks great.”

I go see my doctor twice a week for check ups & NST scans . She does ultrasounds and says the baby looks healthy just on the small side. All her parts are measuring out the same size. She’s just petite like you.

My due date is August 20th but she is inducing me on the 11th. The baby is gaining weight but not as fast. I’ve been stressed so I haven’t eaten as much so baby only out on an ounce since last week.

What would you do in my situation? Go down to the hospital or wait for my doctor to call tomorrow when she gets the specialist report? He’s making it sound like my baby is sick.

Gypsyfish · Accepted Answer

I don't understand why they would take a baby out early because it's small, but I'm not a medical professional. Usually, it's better to leave the baby in to grow until at least 40 weeks. I don't think you should stress so much though. I know someone whose child was behind on growth rate after birth. They figured out that he was lactose intolerant and put him on an alternate formula. Anyway, if you're petite, there's probably not a problem. Wait to hear from your doctor. When he said "Otherwise, everything looks great" he meant there were no problems with heart or lungs or anything else.

Ranchmom1 · Answer

Unless there is a medical problem with your child or with womb conditions, there is no reason to induce labor.

Genetics and inborn growth potential have a lot to do with size. We had one premature daughter, and one full term daughter.  Both of them ended up at the 5th to 10th percentile for height and weight throughout most of their early childhoods - in fact, our full term daughter was barely on the percentiles for awhile.

They both are right at the 50th percentile for women as adults, within half an inch of each other in height, and about 10 pounds different in weight.

? · Answer

If the specialist thought you needed to be induced RIGHT NOW, he would have contacted your regular doctor immediately. Instead of that he's writing a report that your doctor will get tomorrow.

Going to the hospital today is pretty pointless. What would you do? What would you say? "the specialist said I needed to be induced, so bring on the Pitocin"? They're not going to do that based on your claim, not without even taking a look at the specialist's report. Which they will get tomorrow.

If you're very concerned, CALL your doctor. Don't just show up at the hospital. Discuss your concerns, and listen to what your doctor says. They may choose to contact the specialist directly instead of waiting for the report, to discuss your case.

"I’ve been stressed so I haven’t eaten as much so baby only out on an ounce since last week."

It doesn't work like that. If you don't eat enough, the energy for your baby's growth will simply come from your fat reserves.

Pippin · Answer

End of the day -- it's your decision.  If you trust your regular doctor, then say you'd rather not be induced.  They aren't going to come to your house and drag you to the hospital.  If you believe the specialist, then go ahead with the induction.

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Did you see a specialist during your pregnancies?

4 Answers