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

[Snacks]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Becs_bubs]

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]

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