IUGR - 27 weeks, 6th percentile

[kcg12]

Looking for success stories / full-term births after early IUGR diagnosis... Has anyone had a similar diagnoses (around the same gestational week) and then had the baby "catch up" to a better weight/growth level before birth? Also, were you on bed rest?

[SC-Impatient_in_VA]

kcg I'm really sorry to hear this. Do they have an idea what the cause might be?

[kcg12]

Impatient - I got so little info from my doc. First, we got great news that the complete previa totally resolved (hope for you!), but then was informed of the IUGR. Doc said I may just have a petite baby with no problem, but she's concerned placenta may not be functioning properly. Will start 2x/wk NST and U/S for fluid check and 1x every other wk Level II U/S for growth check, starting Monday. From what I'm reading and another doc office I spoke to, 27 wks and in the 6th%-ile is very high risk and may even require bed rest, but my doc didn't say that, so I don't know what to think. All she said was non-rigorous exercise - walking, swimming, 3rd trimester pre-natal yoga ok. My glucose and BP are fine, just slightly anemic. I'm hoping if I just pump up my iron and nutrition, LO will catch up. DH found out gender, so I will reveal - TEAM PINK. I love her so much already. I just want one OB visit where the bean and I both get a clean bill of health.

[DMS721]

I was under eatch of IUGR. For me, it was related to my high blood pressure. I had ultrasounds almost weekly starting at 28 weeks. They basically just wanted to make sure he was continuing to grow. Then around 32 weeks I had NSTs every 3 days, along with a weekly ultrasound. Ultimately I delivered him at 36w1d, because my blood pressure was too high and he failed his NST. He weighed 5 lbs 5 oz at birth, and was able to come home with me with no NICU time. Funny thing is, he has continued to be small, barely on the growth chart for weight, and not even on the chart for height.

Dawn

[SC-Impatient_in_VA]

kcg We've had a lot of team PINK in February huh? I'm sorry she's IUGR, and I hope that issue resolves itself naturally. I've known a lot of IUGR babies who came out just fine, but I can't lie and say that I know when they were dx'd with it because I don't.

Will be thinking of you. (I understand if you don't feel like updating the grads board given the recent news there, but please consider doing so at some point. You deserve prayers and well-wishes, too.)

[kcg12]

Dawn / Impatient - thanks for the encouragement. And Impatient, I will definitely update back at the Feb grads board (it IS very pink over there: ) But you're right, I did want to give a little breathing room in light of the recent sad news.

I also found I'm anemic, which explains a few things and am looking for suggestions on mega iron boosts. Should I post back at the grad board, or any advice on where to post? I'm already loading up on lentils, chick peas and black beans, and I regularly have spinach salads w/ mandarin oranges (vit C helps absorption), but seems I need even more. I like beets, too, but they didn't even make the USDA's list for high iron foods... I was shocked.

[SC-Impatient_in_VA]

Aren't they giving you a pill for the iron issue? That would take care of the problem fast.

The best source of iron is meat. Are you not a meat eater?

I'd ask for a pill supplement in case the anemia has something to do with the IUGR. I wouldn't think it would -- the baby takes what it needs first and you get what's left over which is why pregnant women wind up anemic or deficient in other vitamins etc. -- but I'd still go for the pill since for whatever reason you're just not getting enough from your diet.

[kcg12]

Well, I am on prenatal vitamins w/ iron, but not an additional pill on top of that, so I'll ask about it. Nurse said they are sending me a meal/diet plan for increased iron, but I've been reading up high iron foods, so I think I just need to get on the ball. Thanks!