38 weeks and slow growth?

[wallacesmum]

I am on my second pregnancy, at about 38-39 weeks. In the past two weeks, the baby has shifted down and rotated considerably, but my fundal measurement is stuck at 33cm. I don't have a scale so I don't know about my weight. I am little, but my diet is very good. The baby is moving, but seems to be slowing down a little (although it is hard to tell whether that is just because there isn't any space left - I am definitely feeling the shift from comfortable to over-inflated balloon). My mw are a little concerned but not overly, and they are leaving the decision to have an ultrasound up to me. So far, I really don't want to go for one.

Anyway, I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has been through this.

[mamatogirls]

I am no expert but I think baby position and the individual has alot to do with it. In my last pregnancy I never measured past 39 cm(starting at 38 weeks) and gave birth at 42 1/2 weeks and my uterus never measured past that mark. She was 8 1/2 pounds at birth.

[MsBlack]

I know mamas who never measured past 34 cm, and still had good sized (8lb) babies. If your baby is low, that could account for a reduced fundal height. If your fluid level is dropping (common and most often normal in later pregnancy), that could also make your measurements smaller.

Fundal height is nothing but a 'rule of thumb'--not a hard and fast thing at all. I would not worry if I could feel a well grown baby in there on palpation (say at least 5-6lbs at this point), if it seemed baby had dropped into the pelvis, or if I could tell that amniotic fluid levels had dropped (which makes baby's position and contours easier to feel through the belly).

Not so sure I'd want an ultrasound--they are notorious for being way off the mark in baby-size estimates, this late in pregnancy. They are also notorious for finding 'inadequate fluid'. I can't help but think that if your mws aren't worried--and if you are also not getting any 'something's wrong' vibes from your intuition--then maybe it's best to relax and trust.

[wallacesmum]

The baby feels solid and at least 6lbs; I am a little concerned about a slowdown in activity. I guess the issue is that, if there is some occlusion in the cord or something slowing down nutrition, they would see it on an US. But then they would order an emergency C, which I certainly don't see as a risk-free situation, especially pre-term (which I am if I haven't gone into labor, the way I figure). The mw's aren't too concerned, but I wouldn't say they are unconcerned either - their responsibility is different from mine. I just can't see an upside to an US at this point.

Last night the kick-count was off the charts after I ate a bunch of citrus fruit, but then almost nothing this morning. I didn't get up until 10, so maybe the baby is just really hungry and lethargic because I am sleeping in too late? Is that possible? Is it worth waking myself up to eat when my husband goes to work, I wonder? My almost-4-yo sleeps with me until 9 or 10, so I feel like I should take advantage of the opportunity to rest up. Labor is definitely on its way - lots of B-H and the head is so far down I can't move it at all.

[MsBlack]

It is very common for babies to sleep deeply for several hours at a time at this stage of pregnancy. As long as you have at least 2-3 vigorously-active periods from the baby a day, no worries.

But--while you need rest, you and baby also need calories. Probably best to keep a snack bedside and eat a little something so that you don't go more than 6-9hrs without a little something in your stomach. That way, you can 'sleep in', but grab a few bites the times you wake up to pee

[wallacesmum]

Thanks. That's a good idea. I'll put some more food on the bedside table - I just went to the store to stock up on fruit because I have been avoiding wheat and refined sugar so I think I need some more natural sugars.