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

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 :rolleyes:

TIA :)

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! :goodluck:

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.

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

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.

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?

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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.

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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 :hug:

Thanks for all your responses :heartbeat: I really appreciate it. These darn hormones make you stress out over everything, huh.....

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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

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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 :rolleyes: ) 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.

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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.

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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 :rolleyes: ) 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 :D 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 :dance:

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

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 :lol:

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

Thanks again for all your help and advice :)

Oh hun you are soooooo NOT a doofus...:hug:
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 ;)

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

Sorry about the panic, mate. Glad everything is looking great :)
Now you can concentrate on getting some last-minute relaxation time!

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

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

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 (:tmi: 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 :D

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 ;)

:hug: looking forward to seeing your BA :p

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.

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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.

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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 :doh: which was kind of counter-productive ;)
So, relax & rest! its amazing how much it can help, and as Amy said, keep us posted :)

Thanks so much, ladies :heartbeat: You're lovely & you have set my mind at ease. I have a doc appointment now to go to, so will see how we go...fingers crossed it's come down not up!

:hug: let us know how you go

Well, at 11:30 it was 130/100 :doh: which doc was not overly worried about - said to come back again for another check tomorrow. But being a bit headachy this afternoon, I rang the midwife at the hospital and she asked me to come down so they can do a few checks themselves, just to be safe. So will head off shortly...wish me luck...might even have bub out when I get back ;)

Good luck Bec, hope all goes well!

Hope all's going well, mate. Thinking of you.

:crossfingers: all is well for you.
And if bub isn't out today....well it won't be long! :)

Ok....back home again - feeling a bit like a yo-yo, all this to-ing and fro-ing! :lol: Was monitored over a few hours - blood pressure suddenly dropped right back to 112/70 and then 112/68 :clap: He is head down, though not fully engaged (but that's cool) and I got 2 stretch and sweeps done (first newby midwife wasn't sure she definitely did it right, so second one had a go and got 3 fingers up there, so that's hopeful) Having lots of pressure and pain now, so hopefully, fingers crossed, it happens all by itself soon. They have booked me for induction, but not until next Wednesday, and I am really hoping it happens long before then!!

Get out the breast pump and get onto your DH, LOL! GL - I hope the pressure and pains result in full-blown labour really soon. :hug:

Oh, I reallly think you'll go before then ;)

Good luck hun, glad to hear everything is good...
...what Amy said :lol:

I bet your baby is here before next week

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Get out the breast pump and get onto your DH, LOL! GL - I hope the pressure and pains result in full-blown labour really soon. :hug:

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LOL Apparently I was right that the mucus I was losing was the beginning of the plug...and after the S&S there is a whooooole lot more of it. OB suggested a bit of DTD, which DH turned a shade of green at :lol: So I am going to have a nice warm shower and stimulate the ol' nipples instead ;) Contractions are full-on and steady at about 7-8 mins at the moment, so fingers crossed....

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Oh, I reallly think you'll go before then ;)

Good luck hun, glad to hear everything is good...
...what Amy said :lol:

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Thanks :D

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I bet your baby is here before next week

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:pray: I hope so, Alan!! I hope he's here by morning, but I'll take next week :lol:

I just need to vent. I don't care if no one reads or responds...I just need to blurt everything out.

I am so incredibly frustrated at the moment. So I went to hosp on Thurs after my GP sent me up due to high BP. Then on Saturday at my daily check it was 150/100 :shakehead: so GP sends me straight up to hospital again. I got it checked again on the way to hospital at the chemist just to be sure (though GP did it twice) with a digital (though I know they're not as accurate, but just to see if it was reading around the same numbers) and it was 149/98. Got to the hospital - 120/80 :doh: Now obviously that's great news, but something's screwy. I am exhausted from going up and down to the hospital - it's half an hour away and parking is a PITA, plus the checkups in labour ward usually take a few hours, seeing there's always other stuff going on. They send me home. In the evening on Saturday I notice I am leaking. Great. I ignore it, thinking it's just discharge. Woke up Sunday morning with 2 little gushes and throughout the day I have a slow leak - not much fluid, just enough to completely soak a panty liner in 2 hours, or make a maternity pad really damp, but it's clear and very watery. By last night I was feeling like I should at least perhaps give the labour ward a call and see what they thought...they told me to come back up and see if I was leaking discharge, more mucus or if it was actually a LEAK, in which case they were just going to induce me. So we all troop back up there. More examination, monitoring etc. At least the BP is ok. But an examination just reveals some thrush, which isn't bothering me at all and so won't be treated, but is apparently causing a leak of fluid-discharge. So they send me home, with pain relief and a sleeping tablet.

I couldn't sleep - as usual (been getting sometimes as little as 3-4 hours a night). Got to sleep around 1:30/2 and woke at 6:30 with contractions. Have had contractions steadily since then between 5 & 7 mins apart. Still leaking. Frustrated as hell. At this stage, if this bub decides to come by himself he may well be born at home, cause I really don't want to go running back and forth. So roll on Thursday, which is induction day (I thought it was Wednesday) At least it will be over then.

Oh hun :hug:
vent away!

You are on the home straight. It is a tough, frustrating time, but you WILL have your baby soon - it is a matter of days now, not months or weeks. Hang in there hun, I remember how frustrated I was at this stage, thinking of you :hug:

Aw, what a pi$$er! I know I had a few days of prelabour with Phoebe that I didn't have with Natty and it seriously drove me bonkers. Little sleep, horrid pains and weird sensations. Not fun.
Add to that your trips back and forth to the hospital, you must be completely over it. Still thinking of you, and still here for you if you need to pop back in for more venting.
You are so having this baby soon!

Thanks girls :hug: x I had a bit of a nap this afternoon and I feel a bit better...contractions still going, but apart from that I am happy enough. It is definitely nice to have an end date...as much as I SO much don't want to be induced again, if it comes to it it will just be nice to know when it's going to be over. Funny....even though bags have been packed and nursery/clothes/nappies etc have been all set since I was 6 months, it still doesn't even feel like we're bringing a baby home at the end of it...bizarre at at #3 I still can't comprehend another bub! Exciting tho....

xx