#stillBORN campaign - Sophia's happy ending

Still birth is preventable.

My daughter was born at 36 weeks, 4lb 7oz and aside from some low blood sugar, very well thanks to a scan in my third trimester which found she had intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

I was quite big with my daughter Sophia, but at week 27 my midwife sent me for a scan for reduced movements, which indicated she was small for dates, two weeks later a follow up scan confirmed that she was (IUGR) and I had to be under a consultant who was explaining to me survival rates at this stage (which was terrifying) and how they wanted to get her to 32 weeks to improve her chances, if they could.

They said if they got her out too early it could cause unnecessary complications for her, too late and she would be stillborn. They monitored her, as the placenta tends to gradually decline, not suddenly, unless there is a sudden injury like car accident. I had appointments with regular scans and they explained they could get her out whenever the dopplers went down; which is what they use to find out how the placenta is doing. I was told as (the placenta had started deteriorating it could stay stable but if it didn’t they would just take me in and get her out).

She got to the last point of gestation I was allowed to get to, as at 35 weeks the amniotic fluid went low (which I wouldn’t have known without a scan) and got her out after c section which was preceded by a 3 day induction at 36 weeks (although I was grateful she had some extra gestation). She was 4lb 7oz born on the 2nd centile but got to the 75 centile in no time as she put 1lb a week on, feeding on my milk alone, after an initial week in the Neonatal ICU. She’s now a very healthy one year old and has met all her development stages.

The antenatal staff worried that I would have post natal depression due to the stress and anxiety in my pregnancy, however I still have post natal relief! I’m pregnant with my second now and they are giving me regular scans. All women should have a scan in the last trimester, it was only because my placenta was cushioning her movements, as it was at the front, that I didn’t feel her that day. I’m very lucky they found out as the placenta was failing she would have been stillborn, as the 20 week and 23 week scan was fine.

Without a scan in the 3rd trimester she wouldn’t be here, so I’m still very relieved still birth is preventable. I understand that this increases costs for the NHS, but as the UK has one of the highest still birth rates in Europe increasing cost is not a good enough argument against this, as it is clear that it would save the lives of babies such as my daughter. In meantime I know there are things that couples worried about stillbirth can do, such as have a private Doppler scan (if you can afford to) or ask hospitals to use a growth chart but the most important thing to do is count movements in the last trimester and call your midwife if they are not following their usual pattern.

Laura Ithier