Pregnancy Question on Fetal Development

Hi K., it sounds like you baby is IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction/Retardation). There are two types, symmetrical and asymmetrical. Symmetrical is the more severe and that is when the baby is measuring small all around. Asymmetrical babies are small usually only in their stomachs. I want to caution you against scaring yourself by reading about the condition on the internet. There tends to be a lot more scary stories than positive ones, but the fact is most IUGR babies do just fine. I was diagnosed with asymmetrical IUGR at 29 weeks. I was put on bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy. The baby continued to grow, but slowly. By the 37 weeks the baby had all but stopped growing, so I was induced. My daughter was born weighing 4lbs 12oz and measuring 18.5". Her APGAR's were both 9's (which is as good as any baby usually gets). Shortly after they took her to the nursery, her temperature dropped and she was struggling to breath. She wound-up spending 11 days in NICU and came home healthy as can be. She's now 14mo. old and very healthy. She still measures on the small side, but her health is excellent and she is meeting or exceeding all milestones. I encourage you to stick to the bedrest as best you can. That means truly LAYING down (preferably on your left side) as much as possible. Eating a diet high in protein is recommended by some doctors and certainly can't hurt. Please feel free to e-mail me at ____@____.com if you have any questions. I know how overwhelming it can be and how tough bedrest can be. However, I'm confident your baby will be just fine!

1 mom found this helpful

My cousin went thru the same thing but the baby was born just fine and no complications at all.

I was diagnosed with asymmetrical IUGR today and am so glad you posted because the reponses really reassured me. PLEASE let me know how you are doing now.

I highly reccomend
the Brewer diet for normal and high risk pregnany...I have had hundreds of clients follow this diet and only 2 women with pre term births. One was twins with premature rupture, and one was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and put on a 'starvation diet' of 1500 calories which she followed against her insticts! I did have one client with IUGR and boy were they worried, but that baby thrived!
Best to you! Educate yourself on the wellness perspective, and please treat yourself to a good doula!

Your story sounds just like mine a year ago!! i had iugr. I was put on bed rest, but honestly I still laid outside reading a book--my dr ok'd it as long as I didn't get too hot. I cooked easy dinners. I did get to move around, but don't exert yourself. My family friend is a perinatonlogist and he said that bed rest has not solid reasearch that it actually makes a difference. Any ways I was at the dr or specialist at least two times a week and they kept telling me next wekk you will have her for two months that went on, and my daughter was born only 2 weeks early weighing in at 4lbs 11 oz and 18 in long! She is totally healthy now 9 months old and has caought up on her weight-17 lbs. Honestly if you have more ?'s or anything let me know. I stressed my self out more than needed and they say that is the WORST thing to have during a high risk pregnancy. (i ended up having a c-section, b/c she didn't have enough amniotic fluid, and well it would have just been too stressful for the baby.)

That happened to my friend around the same time in her pregnancy. She was not put on bed rest but really cut her activity level back. She now has an amazing healthy baby girl who is 16 months old. Try to stay positive and rest.

I have never heard of such a thing, I'm 5 months pregnant with my fourth. Just her tummy? I've heard of the head being to small, I will keep you and her in my prayers-take it easy-it is really easy to get stressed out. I'm sure she will come out perfect!