I had my second Level II u/s this morning and baby has not grown. Now I'm measuring 4 weeks behind instead of 2. Whereas before my regular OB assured me she was likely constitutionally small, the u/s tech told me to prep for an IUGR diagnosis and bed rest. The doctors weren't in the office today but the high-risk doc will be contacting me tomorrow. I'm also likely to go on a high protein diet now (should have paid attention to all those low carb threads...).
I'm so scared of a bad outcome. The placenta, fluid, and blood flow all looked good so that is the good news out of all of this.
Hugs bowies, I'm sorry. Do they have any theories on why she's not growing? How far along are you now, and what's their weight estimate?
I don't remember all the details of my monitoring anymore, but I do remember one appointment where F had not really grown and freaking out and they just told me to come back in 2 weeks and at the next appointment she had grown on the same curve as before that bad appointment. They just kind of shrugged it off as some combination of measurement error and growth spurts. It's such an anxiety trip, I'm sorry. (I was having twins obviously, so that's a whole other complication, but for back story they started having some concerns about IUGR at around 26 weeks... kids were born at 34 weeks and baby B (F) was 3lbs 13oz which counted as IUGR because she was small for gestation age... she went on to gain weight quickly and evened out as a small but normally growing kid.)
I had twins so not the same but DD was considered SGA. I had them at 37 weeks and she was 5 lbs 3 oz. the only issue we had was low blood sugars the day she was born so we have some formula. Other then that she was fine and didn't need to go to the NICU.
She did need to do the car seat test as she was under 5.5 lbs, which she failed. So she had to come home in a car seat bed.
I'm so sorry bowies. Do you know what percentile DD is falling in now? Have they suggested genetic counseling or an amnio for you? I did amnio with DD at 23 weeks, I believe, and while it wasn't the best process emotionally, physically it was fine and it helped us rule out any chromosomal issues for DD's smallness, which was comforting.
Also look into the Brewer diet -- it's incredibly high calorie, but I often see it recommended in conjunction with IUGR diagnosis. I couldn't stomach a ton of meat, but I ate a ton of cheese, milk, yogurt to ensure I got enough calcium and fat and, at least, some protein.
DD often went through phases of growth, no growth, low growth, high growth, etc. It varied with every ultrasound and was the total anxiety trip, as kershnic points out. But try to remember that these scans aren't perfect and there's a wide margin of error, even with Level II.
I'd also prepare yourself for steroid shots to help baby's lungs develop. That usually come around 32 weeks. It was NBD for me either.
Finally, I'm shocked that the tech told you that...generally they're not supposed to say anything about the scan. Even when I asked questions my techs barely acknowledged them (frustrating at the time, but they always waited for MFM to review results and make an assessment).
Hugs bowies , I'm sorry. Do they have any theories on why she's not growing? How far along are you now, and what's their weight estimate?
No theories. In my chart someone had written that I'm smoker (WTFFFFFF) but I'm not. <Insert long tirade about how much I hate the MFM here.>
I am 26w2d. She's measuring just over a pound. Some measurements were in the 23w range and some were in the 22w range and I guess they all averaged out to be 22w4d.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. So I had a bad outcome BUT it was because they didn't catch it. At all. I also had a good outcome (my rainbow DD) because they caught it, watched me like a hawk (with the same monitoring you're getting, it sounds like) and induced me the second they thought anything might go south. It was so important they caught this early for you. This is so key. You can do this and have a good outcome. Feel free to PM me anytime... I'll be cheering you on!
genet313 I had the NIPT/genetic screen/NT scan done at 12w, which came back clear. No one has mentioned an amnio to me yet. Growth was right on point up until my anatomy scan at almost-21w. My regular OB showed me the growth chart at my last checkup (last Monday) and she was at least on her curve, though it was the bottom curve. I'm assuming today's measurements will skew that.
I had a tiny IGUR baby at 37 weeks, he was 4 lbs 4 oz. He was perfectly healthy just small. He spent a week in the nicu and is now a normal sized 2 year old. I always measured small with both boys, the doctor just said that is how our babies are. He gained like crazy once he was out! I wish you a similar experience!
Post by tacoflavoredkisses on Jun 16, 2016 11:44:44 GMT -5
My DD was considered SGA at birth- she was 5lbs 3oz and born at 40+6. She measured perfectly on schedule until a scan I had at 32 weeks to check for growth issues. She was estimated to be 4lbs 2oz then. The placenta was small (they didn't know this until she was born) and it's also a possibility that my heart medication could have restricted her growth.
The good news is she is growing steadily and at 9 weeks she was almost 10 pounds.
I'm so sorry Bowies. Not having answers is so scary. We can be bed rest buddies. Big, big hugs coming you way.
My friend delivered at 26 weeks because her baby wasn't growing. They didn't know until after she delivered that she had several large clots in her placenta that was severely limiting the baby's growth. He is the cutest little 3 year old now, btw.
I'm sorry you're going through this. I measured small all along with DD1 but was pulled out of work and put on bed rest at 34 weeks when she only measured about 4 lbs. I had NSTs and BPPs, upped my protein and fat, but by some time in my 38th week she was still only 4 lbs 10 oz or so. My MFM felt it was time to deliver and I had her at 39 weeks and 4 lbs 12 oz.
My placenta, blood flow and fluid looked good and I passed all NSTs which is why she stayed in until 39 weeks. The good news is she had no issues whatsoever with the exception of some sucking reflex issues that led to an NG for a few days but we left the NICU after 5 days. She gained quickly once she was on the outside and we really don't know why her growth was so slow. She's a healthy almost 4 year old.
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and hoping you get some helpful guidance soon.
I'm so sorry Bowies. Not having answers is so scary. We can be bed rest buddies. Big, big hugs coming you way.
My friend delivered at 26 weeks because her baby wasn't growing. They didn't know until after she delivered that she had several large clots in her placenta that was severely limiting the baby's growth. He is the cutest little 3 year old now, btw.
Do you know how much the baby weighed?
If they delivered me now I honestly don't think she would make it.
One of our older twins was IUGR. they were always on the small side (maybe 30th percentile? I don't remember) at growth scans, and then she didn't grow from 30 to 34 weeks based on ultrasound, and they were delivered 3 days later. She was 3 lb 8 oz at 35w1d. This is a bit different than your case though, given the timing. She spent 17 days in the NICU as a feeder/grower. She was on TPN for a few days because they were concerned about her gut development but she was fine. Based on pathology I read years later, I think her placenta just started crapping out. She was a small baby (15 lb and 28" at a year I think) and is average height and very, very thin at 4.5. Her twin sister was borderline SGA (5 lb even) and is around 20th percentile now.
I'm so sorry Bowies. Not having answers is so scary. We can be bed rest buddies. Big, big hugs coming you way.
My friend delivered at 26 weeks because her baby wasn't growing. They didn't know until after she delivered that she had several large clots in her placenta that was severely limiting the baby's growth. He is the cutest little 3 year old now, btw.
Do you know how much the baby weighed?
If they delivered me now I honestly don't think she would make it.
He was either 1 lb 12oz, or 1lb 15oz.
Try to think of the positive steps here. They're going to make sure she gets a chance. So while it might go slowly, every day, and every ounce is going to help. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I know it's not fair.
You're on lovenox for this pg, right? Have they talked about your dosage? I think I recall that undiagnosed clotting disorders can cause iugr because they age the placenta prematurely. Are you also taking baby aspirin?
I've mentioned this before, but a friend delivered at 32-34w for iugr. Her baby was small but had no nicu time and has grown quickly since his birth.
Sending hugs.
Eta - Friend was never put on bed rest. Not sure if she changed her diet. It's really, really good news that everything else is in good shape right now.
Hugs bowies , I'm sorry. Do they have any theories on why she's not growing? How far along are you now, and what's their weight estimate?
No theories. In my chart someone had written that I'm smoker (WTFFFFFF) but I'm not. <Insert long tirade about how much I hate the MFM here.>
I am 26w2d. She's measuring just over a pound. Some measurements were in the 23w range and some were in the 22w range and I guess they all averaged out to be 22w4d.
Arght, that smoking thing would drive me nuts, even if it doesn't really matter. I'm sorry your MFM sucks. Do you have another option??
genet313 I had the NIPT/genetic screen/NT scan done at 12w, which came back clear. No one has mentioned an amnio to me yet. Growth was right on point up until my anatomy scan at almost-21w. My regular OB showed me the growth chart at my last checkup (last Monday) and she was at least on her curve, though it was the bottom curve. I'm assuming today's measurements will skew that.
I had the same experience - no indication of an issue until the A/S, NT scan fine, growth on track. I really hope your OB is correct and she's just small, but healthy. You can be as proactive as you can re: diet and rest. And ultimately, it will be a week to week decision. The nice part is that you'll have lots of monitoring and get to see baby more!
Hugs bowies . I hope the high risk OB has some answers for you.
My DS measured small my entire pregnancy and 2-4 weeks behind towards the end. He was at the 10th percentile for growth... and if I recall he fell below that at the very end. He was delivered early (38+4) because I had hypertension and my OB said he'd grow better on the outside. He was born at 5 lbs 14 oz and went home at 5 lbs 7 oz. He did spent 4 days in NICU for low blood sugar but other than that has been great. He's growing like a weed; starting to out grow 0-3 months clothes at 7 weeks (came home in preemie clothes for reference).
His pedi has had nothing but positive things to say about his growth and development so far (we've seen her twice). He is still on the small side with a small head but so was I and others in my family (yay genetics ) so she's not worried.
ETA: DS hit his birth weight at 1 week old and was 8 lbs at 4 weeks.
Post by imojoebunny on Jun 16, 2016 12:39:43 GMT -5
My DD was SFGA and IUGR with no known cause. I am a pretty big person (5'9", as is DH, 6'2"). I was put in the hospital about 32 weeks for a couple of days, then went home, and they let me go back to work (sedentary job) for another 2 weeks, then bed rest. She was born 5 pounds 6 oz at 38 weeks. She stayed very small for a long time, around 4 she started to get on the charts. She was tested for lots of things related to short statue, endocrine, and GI, as a baby and a toddler. She is just unexpectedly small.
She is 10 now, and it seems as though she will be a not so big, but not short statue, person. She is still very slim, 52 pounds at 10 years old, though she is now around 25% for height. As an infant, they thought that once she was born, she would grow larger, but she just gained the bare minimum for several years, even with high calorie formula to supplement BF. Her pediatrician at that time remarked to me not long ago, we are friends outside of her work, that DD kept her up at night for years. She did everything developmentally just fine, and could say two and three word sentences at 11 months, she just was and is, a not so big person.
Wishing your baby lots of growing and the best possible outcome.
You're on lovenox for this pg, right? Have they talked about your dosage? I think I recall that undiagnosed clotting disorders can cause iugr because they age the placenta prematurely. Are you also taking baby aspirin?
I've mentioned this before, but a friend delivered at 32-34w for iugr. Her baby was small but had no nicu time and has grown quickly since his birth.
Sending hugs.
Eta - Friend was never put on bed rest. Not sure if she changed her diet. It's really, really good news that everything else is in good shape right now.
Yes, Lovenox for this pregnancy plus baby aspirin. My dosage has not increased since my weight hasn't really increased. I've only gained roughly 4-5 pounds. I think I'm going to push to go on the dosage I took with DS. I went on 40 mg 2x a day at 19w with DS. This time I'm at 60 mg 1x a day.
I don't have personal experience, but BB's neighbor in the NICU was IUGR. She was born at 30 weeks but measured either 26 or 27. She was 1lb something. She spent 80 some odd days in the NICU and is home now doing well and thriving.
Sorry I'm just responding now. Im never on a computer these days (maternity leave) and i hate typing long responses from my phone.
My IUGR baby was diagnosed early and i ended up on hospital bedrest at 22/23 weeks - first for 4 days... then home.. then back in the hospital for 4 weeks. I begged to go home and ended up delivering at 32 weeks. He was the size of a small 28 weeker (2 pounds 4 ounces). Spent 8.5 weeks in the NICU but he's a happy, healthy (albeit still tiny) 4 year old now!
I saw a big improvement in his growth from my high protein diet. My doctor didn't mention it to me... i found out about it doing my own research. So it's worth trying! I was also put on baby aspirin for cord blood flow.
Post by househunter on Jun 17, 2016 15:29:02 GMT -5
My story is a bit different... I was told my baby was going to be 8 + lbs at birth. She was been small for gestational age. The tech measured wrong on the ultrasound. She did end up in the nicu but gained nicely after discharge. My point is I had no intervention for the undetected growth issues and things turned out ok. Hugs to you