Fetal heart rate drop late in third trimester....

**Becs_bubs** · October 15th, 2009, 12:07 AM

Ok...so I'm 39 weeks. Went for my weekly checkup today...GP took a long time to check the heart beat. I said "sounds like it's perhaps slowed a little? thought it had last week, too...." and he confirmed that he wasn't overly concerned last week when it dropped from the week befores' 128 to 128-126, but now it's dropped to 124-123-ish he is a little more concerned and wants to see me again in 2 days. He said that if it drops to 120 or below it will be straight to the OB at the hospital for me. Bub is otherwise healthy and moving around heaps.

Just wanted to know....if it DOES (which fingers crossed, obviously, that it doesn't) drop to 120 or below, am I in for an emergency c-section? Or a normal c-sec? Or could they just induce? And how worried should I be about the rate dropping in the first place - can it be an indicator of something?

I am hoping he just comes before Friday and is healthy and well and that I don't even have to worry about it. So far all the coaxing I've tried to get him to budge hasn't worked tho

TIA

**Tilda** · October 15th, 2009, 02:48 PM

Sorry Bec, I don't have any answers for you but wanted to wish you luck. Will be thinking of you and the little man!

**sas85** · October 15th, 2009, 03:18 PM

A gf had this problem but much more severely and earlier with her 2nd bub, they took her straight in for a C-sec as they couldn't risk the babies heart rate dropping further with contractions as can happen. But like I said, it was more severe and earlier for her so it might be totally different with a term bub if only a slightly lower h/r. All the best.

**Alan** · October 15th, 2009, 06:18 PM

Hi Becs_Bub
A normal heart rate is between 110 and 160. Unless you have an underlying problem then there is nothing wrong with a heart rate of 123. Just like us when we are active the heart rate increases and when we rest the heart rate slows. The same goes for your baby, when he is very active then the rate will be closer to 160 and when he is resting the rate will be closer to 110 Do not let your OB convince you to have a CS based only on a quick listen to the heart beat

**Snacks** · October 15th, 2009, 08:17 PM

Was just wondering, Bec, what position were you in when your GP used the doppler? I had a trip to the hospy for monitoring after a GP appt at around 38 weeks because bub's heart rate was dropping considerably between movements. I had some monitoring at the hospital and everything was just fine - a really healthy looking CTG. Turns out that the rate was dropping because I was flat on my back. Each appt after that we listened to bub while I was propped up with a couple of pillows and leaning slightly to my left. No problems.
I am sure that no one will rush you in for a c-sec... You will probably be given a CTG at the hospital and they will advise you from there. All the best, and try not to stress out

ETA: I wonder if it is just an indication that there's less room to move around in there? If bubs is less active then the heart rate will be lower, like Alan said.

**Sterla** · October 15th, 2009, 08:27 PM

This probably isn't quite the same thing, but this was my experience.

I went in for my check-up at 41 weeks and the hooked me up to check on bubs heart rate. It was strong and healthy most of the time, but occasionally dropped quite dramatically. They kept me on the monitors for hours and hours, before finally deciding to induce me (since I was 41 weeks already anyway). Inducing however made bubs worse, and his heart rate started dropping more often and for longer. I ended up with an emergency c/s.

I think it's sudden drops that are probably more of a problem than a consistent but slower heart rate, iykwim?

**Fleur** · October 15th, 2009, 09:46 PM

This probably isn't quite the same thing, but this was my experience.

I went in for my check-up at 41 weeks and the hooked me up to check on bubs heart rate. It was strong and healthy most of the time, but occasionally dropped quite dramatically. They kept me on the monitors for hours and hours, before finally deciding to induce me (since I was 41 weeks already anyway). Inducing however made bubs worse, and his heart rate started dropping more often and for longer. I ended up with an emergency c/s.

This is pretty much how I ended up with my CS after being induced. DS had the cord wrapped around him.
This doesn't sound like the case with you though; in my case the HR was dropping with contractions.

I would be more inclined to think it is as Alan & Snacks said, just bub running out of room & being a bit quiet?

If you're really worried, why not pop up to hospital for a ctg? They won't mind & it can give you some peace of mind

I'm sure everything will be fine

**Becs_bubs** · October 15th, 2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks for all your responses

I really appreciate it. These darn hormones make you stress out over everything, huh.....

Hi Becs_Bub
A normal heart rate is between 110 and 160. Unless you have an underlying problem then there is nothing wrong with a heart rate of 123. Just like us when we are active the heart rate increases and when we rest the heart rate slows. The same goes for your baby, when he is very active then the rate will be closer to 160 and when he is resting the rate will be closer to 110 Do not let your OB convince you to have a CS based only on a quick listen to the heart beat

Thanks - that makes me feel heaps better. I was saying to hubby that it's hard...I've done heaps of reading and research and asked lots of questions this time around after 2 fairly traumatic birth experiences, and started doing things (acupuncture, clary sage, walking, DTD heaps etc etc) from about 36 weeks to try and NOT have intervention (have been induced the last 2 times and GP already wants me to have a CS anyway

) and staying really positive. All with the view to let my body go, see if it will do it's thing naturally. The closer I get now to the date, though, the more I question my own judgment....when the doc said he would send me to the OB, I started to think "if I JUST said yes to being induced at 38/39....or if I JUST said yes to a CS...maybe this wouldn't be happening" and was thinking that if I get sent to him, I'd just agree to anything. But will stick to my guns as much as possible and perhaps make sure I can get a midwife's opinion as well, depending on what the OB says, so that I get a different view.

Was just wondering, Bec, what position were you in when your GP used the doppler? I had a trip to the hospy for monitoring after a GP appt at around 38 weeks because bub's heart rate was dropping considerably between movements. I had some monitoring at the hospital and everything was just fine - a really healthy looking CTG. Turns out that the rate was dropping because I was flat on my back. Each appt after that we listened to bub while I was propped up with a couple of pillows and leaning slightly to my left. No problems.
I am sure that no one will rush you in for a c-sec... You will probably be given a CTG at the hospital and they will advise you from there. All the best, and try not to stress out

ETA: I wonder if it is just an indication that there's less room to move around in there? If bubs is less active then the heart rate will be lower, like Alan said.

I was on my back, but bub's head is down, his back was sitting (still is) very hard up against the left side of my belly and he was moving around, which is why it perplexed me so much....the sound was strong (unlike when the last OB I had tried to find bub at 38 weeks and couldn't find him for 5 mins, then when he did it was really faint

) and he was in a good pos, plus the fact that the heartbeat was at that when he was moving around....but there definitely might be something in what you said - I know when I've had CTG's at the hospital, they always make me lie on my side. I'm just hoping that bub's just like what I usually am when not pregnant - laid back and chilled

and that's the reason it's lower

We shall see what happens tomorrow, anyway. And I will continue to live in hope that I go in naturally tonight with no complications and I don't even have to worry about it

**Alan** · October 16th, 2009, 12:01 AM

Let us know how you go tomorrow hun. And if you have anymore questions don't hesitate to post

**Becs_bubs** · October 17th, 2009, 12:24 AM

Well, I am officially a doofus...after not really stressing too much about the whole thing, I ended up giving myself a panic attack this morning - it got to 10:30-ish and bub still hadn't moved around, other than changing position when I did...no kicks/punches/knees as per usual. That combined with the whole 'heart rate has dropped' thing sitting in my head sent me into a spin and I rang hubby at work to get him to come home so that he could come with me to the doctor, cause I suddenly didn't want to be alone. Well, a big glass of red cordial later, my womb had what seemed to be a pretty happening party going on inside yet again. Seems red cordial makes bubs as hyper as it does small children

So doc had another monitor of the heart beat....it was back up around 140-150, bub doing his red-cordial-somersaults the whole way through the appointment too. So

for that! Now if he would just come out......

Thanks again for all your help and advice

**Fleur** · October 17th, 2009, 05:36 AM

Oh hun you are soooooo NOT a doofus...

I think we've all had moments of panic & worry... especially given that you were already worried about bub's heartrate.

Look at it as a good thing - you had an opportunity to get it listened to again & ease your mind a bit.
I'm so glad to hear all is well.

Rest up & enjoy these last few moments before bub arrives

**Alan** · October 17th, 2009, 09:31 AM

I agree with Jasp, you are not a doofus.....just a caring mum to be. Big comfy hug to you hun

**Snacks** · October 17th, 2009, 11:50 AM

Sorry about the panic, mate. Glad everything is looking great

Now you can concentrate on getting some last-minute relaxation time!

**Becs_bubs** · October 21st, 2009, 05:53 PM

Thanks again, guys

It's great to have somewhere to come to get reassurance....which I didn't think I needed being #3, but it's funny how the hormones seem to make us second guess and worry and stress sometimes.

Bub's heart rate is still a-ok...went to the doc again today and it's back up to 147-150 ish, so that's great.

However......now my blood pressure has gone up

after sitting on anywhere from 100/60 - 120/80, it has suddenly shot up to 137/88

I am now on daily blood pressure checks at the doc. So now, if you guys don't mind, I'd like advice on this. I think I may have had the start of a show today - when I peed in a jar at the doc I had some clear mucus come away too afterwards (I have never seen the show before - was induced both times and it didn't happen by itself) but it had no colour to it. There was a little protein in my urine, which doc has sent away to be tested - he said it could just be from the mucus, but needs to be sure. Had a bit more mucus when I got home. I have also been a bit headachy on and off in the past few days. And my feet are a little swollen - nothing too major, but I am keeping them up to be sure.

What I'd like to know is, if my blood pressure goes above 140, doc is sending me straight to the hospital. I have never had pre-eclampsia in either of the previous two pregnancies - in fact, my blood pressure was on the low side both times. So I don't know quite what to expect if that's indeed what this is...will they insist on a c-section? Can I just be induced straight away? If I AM induced, can I still go with a more gentle, slow approach, or will they be trying to hurry me along to get bub out. Obviously I want to do whatever is best for bub's health, but I am so dead against a cs if I can help it - if it's needed, fine, but not my first choice. (also something to keep in mind - they view me as a high risk patient at the hosp because I had a fairly big PPH and ran into some trouble last time round). Are there any questions you would be asking your GP/midwife at this stage that I maybe haven't thought of?

I am hoping and

ing that the mucus I have had is indeed the start of my plug coming away, that my odd contractions start to get a rhythm and that I won't even have to worry about it. But I feel better if I am well-informed and prepared for these things.

**Fleur** · October 21st, 2009, 09:38 PM

First of all - yay for bubs HR being back to good

The mucous could be just that - I had a bit more towards the end, mostly quite thin (sorry tmi) but soimetimes a bit thicker. My show was more like (

warning again!) snot with blood through it. Gross, I know.
So, might be something, might be nothing.

As for the blood pressure. Take it very very easy over the next few days. Rest, keep your feet up, drink water. One symptom on it's own is one thing but you have headaches etc as well & that is a bit of a worry. BUt it's being watched so all will be fine

If it goes too high & you are sent to hospital then it depends on bub - if all seems good, they will most likely induce you.
I don't know about keeping it gentle - I guess it would depend on how urgent they considered it?

My sis had her bub two weeks ago, she was induced due to PE. Everything came out fine for her

She did end up with a CS but that could happen in any instance, whether induced or not, PE or not, kwim? It does NOT mean it will happen to you should you need to be induced.

I am sure everything will be fine for you but I wanted to say - don't stress too much about whether you will be induced, or have a CS or a VB.
What matters is yours & bubs health & it sounds like that is all being looked after. In a few weeks time this will all be behind you & you will have your bub with you

looking forward to seeing your BA

**Snacks** · October 22nd, 2009, 07:17 AM

Aw, you've had a bit of a bad run! The self-doubt is a bummer... Sometimes I think our drs (whether consciously or not) lead us to doubt our ability to carry and birth our babies, just because it's their job to find stuff wrong. KWIM? Anyway, not meaning to diss your dr, but it's what I appreciated about MW care my first time round that I didn't get 2nd time.
Firstly, like Jas said, the mucous could just be mucous. Before you give a wee sample, make sure you wipe carefully first as if any mucous gets into the sample that can give it a protein reading. My plug looked like Jas' description too - like really thick snot that was pink and slightly blood-streaked.
With the BP issue, I agree that in conjunction with the headaches it's a bit of a worry. However, they'll no doubt just monitor you for a few hours when you go into hospital. I've had this with both my pgs. With Phoebe I was sent in with BP of 140/92, but after a couple of hours in hospital with a healthy CTG, my BP went RIGHT down... I think I had a bit of white coat syndrome. So that's their first step - make sure that they test you when you are rested with your feet up, and make sure that all's well with bubs. They will likely take some bloods as well.
I've not been in the position before of needing further treatment, however if they feel you are pre-eclamptic, as Jas has said, it will depend on how bubs is doing. If baby seems happy, there's no reason to jump into a c/s. And you are well within your rights to ask that they start inducing you slowly. And having had a couple of inductions yourself, you'll have more idea than me of what to ask for!
Don't panic just yet. Wait and see what happens. It may just be the stress of the last few days of pregnancy getting to you. Being sent to the hospital for monitoring isn't half bad actually... you get to sit down with a good book and they bring you juice

Keep looking after yourself and let us know how you get on.

**Fleur** · October 22nd, 2009, 07:50 AM

With Phoebe I was sent in with BP of 140/92, but after a couple of hours in hospital with a healthy CTG, my BP went RIGHT down... I think I had a bit of white coat syndrome. So that's their first step - make sure that they test you when you are rested with your feet up, and make sure that all's well with bubs.

Good point! I haven't had BP issues while PG but I had mine immediately after & was at threat of going back to hossie... and I stressed out every time they took a reading

which was kind of counter-productive

So, relax & rest! its amazing how much it can help, and as Amy said, keep us posted