[babyinabackpack]

Hi everybody,
I'm currently 36weeks and went to my OB for a scan today. I am currently an expat living in Taiwan and scans are done weekly overhere (during the last 6 weeks).
Last week at 35 weeks bubs was 2348 grams, a little small but no problems at all.
Today, bubs is only 2240 grams..

The doctor assures me that it is only an estimated weight and that bubs has most certainly NOT lost weight. It still has a small head but in proportion to the rest of it's body.
She noted today that it had long legs so speculated that it may have grown in length instead of in fat.

And then she checked my placenta and told me it was really calcified and that it will need to be closely monitored as it may have stopped feeding bubs, or atleast not be functioning adequately.

As of today, the amniotic fluid is fine, so she said not to worry, but then went on to tell me that if bubs hasn't grown by next week, she will put me on some special machine to monitor bubs heart beat for 20 mins to check all is okay.

So, of course I am worried..

I also have a congenital disease that can cause calcifications in different parts of the body, but studies have shown that it poses no increased risk during pregnancy.

So now I'm concerned about what I may possibly be facing.

If bubs hasn't grown sufficiently by next week, does anyone know what the next step would be?
If the placenta stops functioning properly is it usually cause for an early induction? Emergency CS?
Is there anything I can do to try to slow down the calcification?

For the record I am very healthy, and have only gained 8.5kg so far during the pregnancy. No GD, no PE.

Thank you for any advice/experiences.

[ubermum]

To be honest, if it were me, I would be wanting that baby out now.

[fizzy19]

Same as pp if the placenta is not good baby would be better off out, I would have thought. Can you seek advice from an Australian ob or midwife ?

[erindiv]

After a friend of mine very nearly lost her baby due to a calcified placenta I, like the PPs, would be wanting it out NOW.

[Justaduck]

Yes while I know nothing about it, from what you have said, I would be wanting an immediate delivery.
Size wouldn't bother me on its own (they can be out something like +/- 500gm each time) but that combined with the calcification definitely would

[Klinkalink]

At 36w5d it was found by my Ob that I had a calcified placenta. The baby wasn't moving much anymore which prompted me to call her (I wasn't due to have another appointment for a few days). The decision was made on the spot to have the baby out by C-section two days later. During those two days I had steroid injections for the baby's lungs, and he was born at 37 weeks exactly. The urgency of having the baby out would very much depend on the amount of calcification though, and mine was quite considerable.
As soon as I was told that there was a significant risk of the baby being stillborn if we let the pregnancy continue I opted to have him out ASAP. He was a healthy 3.06kg at birth and we didn't have any complications, he didn't need any time in the nursery or special care unit.
I don't think there is anything you can do to slow down the calcification.
Good luck, I hope everything goes well. Keep asking questions and getting info from your Ob!

[bailee]

This happened to a friend of mine. They believe it started at 36 weeks also, but it was only picked up at 39 weeks when my friend's friend who was a midwife raised a concern with her. She went to her dr to check it out and they found the problem but he sent her home and told her not to worry about it. Well she worried alright and it appeared to induce labour later that day and her bub was born early the next morning. She was under 2.5kg and very poorly. She spent 2 weeks in SCN. Each case is different but I'd be wanting bubs out if there's a prob with growth.

[Nut]

I am with the others. I would be wanting to deliver right away and pushing for an induction., especially being 36 weeks.

[pppc]

WE lost our son last year due to a calcified placenta. Get your baby out now.Best of luck

[Mianta]

I am assuming your doctor has done doppler flow studies during your scan as well? If this had reassuring results and your amniotic fluid is a normal level, this may be what is stopping your dr from delivering your baby, as she feels the benefits of keeping your baby cooking a little longer outweighs the benefits of delivering your baby early?

The CTG that she wants to do next week may also give her an indication of your baby's welfare and she may well do another scan with doppler flow studies again next week.

Keep an eye on your baby's movements in the mean time. They are a good indication of how your baby is faring. If you feel they are reduced at any time, please, please get yourself checked out straight away.