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

[Becs_bubs]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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