Need Help -- Scary News from Doc (kinda long)

krate24

I had been seeing a high risk doc due to the fact that my baby is very small and not growing at the rate she should (growth was normal early on, then one week off, two weeks off, etc.).  So yesterday I had a follow-up growth u/s and the baby barely grew the past three weeks and the doc was concerned about my placenta.  He said the local hospital won't really be able to handle my case, so I should go to Yale.

Today I had my appt. at Yale with the doc there and he echoed the same concern about the small baby and that I have a severe case of IUGR.  So the baby is really not getting enough nutrients.  He put me on bed rest, wants to check me next week to see the blood flow to the baby and then the following week to see how she has grown.  Basically, they want to get the baby out as soon as feasible to get her more nutrients, but she needs to grow first in order for that to work.

She's only about a half a pound right now, so while all her organs are in place, the doc said that the technology doesn't exist to help a baby that small.  Does anyone have any similar stories or went through this?  It's my first pregnancy, and I'm super scared with all that the docs are saying.

As a little background, he's not 100% sure what is causing this, but I do have a heart-shaped uterus that may be contributing to the problem.

SuwaneeGirl

I did not have your problem exactly, but my baby did have IUGR because I was pre-eclamptic. She was born at 32 weeks and is doing great now.

You are doing the right thing. You are getting the care you and your baby needs.

I know bed rest is not fun, but it is the best thing for the baby.

Keep up the good work. And good luck.

This is a good board to hang out on. There's a lot of wisdom here.

Jessarella

I am so sorry sweetie! I don't have any experience with IUGR, but just wanted to say I will keep you and your baby in my prayers and hope that he is able to start getting the nutrients he needs to grow healthy and strong. I too have a misshaped uterus and was worried about it my whole pregnancy.

Thinking happy grow strong thoughts for your little one!

preemieparent

I'm really sorry!   It sounds like you are in the right place so hopefully they will be able to do everything they can to get your baby as big as possible before delivery.

My daughter was born at 24 weeks and 3 days.  I had reverse blood flow in the umblical cord which caused her IUGR and the need for delivery. She weighed 14.8 ozs/420 grams.   She did face a long NICU journey (5 1/2 months) as her lungs were a big issue.  She is now almost two and still oxygen dependent and has some other issues but she is doing pretty well given everything.   If you would like to talk to me off the board about what we went through, etc please feel free to email me at lifeinthenicu@gmail.com.  I would be more than happy to share details and answer any questions you might have.  

I know of some babies who have been born even smaller who did make it so there is hope.   You and your baby will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

SBMBride406

My baby was small for his gestational age and by the time they got him out my placenta was only 10% for his gestational age. We're not sure if there was IUGR (I was measuring small) or if it was all a result of the HELLP Syndrome. But, I didn't deliver until 32 weeks, so its a little different situation. I can tell you than my 3 pounder is now on the charts for his actual age at 6 months and 15 pounds.

There are plenty of ladies on here with healthy IUGR babies, mamas of 24 weekers and mamas of babies weighing less than a pound at birth, so I hope they can ease your fears some. I'm sure your drs will let your baby "bake" as long as they think is beneficial to her.

Good luck with the bed rest and keep us posted!

Mrs. Destructo

One of my babies was IUGR because of a failure in the placenta.

You're doing the right thing by being in bed, staying on your left side, and finding the best doctors in your area. 

Did your doctors say anything about your nutrition? To help my little guy grow I ate an obscene diet - well over 4000 calories a day. Protien is really important to help little babies gain weight, so in addition to eating lots of eggs, dairy and meat, I also had 3-4 Ensure or Boost shakes a day. I suggest you talk to your doctor before you start shoving food down your throat like I did, but it's definitely a good idea to ask your doc if you should be doing this.

 Good luck, sweetie. Please feel free to ask us anything!

millbug

Oh - I'm so sorry to hear this.  My DS was born at 33 weeks due to pre-eclampsia but also had IUGR (he was 3 lb 5oz).  Hopefully your doctors will figure out a plan - bed rest isn't too bad, especially if you get to eat a lot more!   Please continue to ask us questions  - having a preemie can be really scary, but medicine is really amazing and so are our little ones!  

TriciaJoy

robbie was IUGR due to pre-e.. he was 26w2d and weighed 1lb 7 oz.

He did really quite well. we didnt' get much time with the steroid shots because I got sick really fast, so we had big lung issues at first, but he came home w/o the need for oxygen (stunned everyone.) and short of some reflux/feeding issues, he's doing fantastic.

 Hang in there as best you can.. Good luck!

lstaylor73

Hang in there Mommy!  You must stay calm and positive.  I went through this same thing, although without the heart shaped uterus, with my twins where Baby B (that's Evan) was the IUGR  baby and we had no idea why he was so much smaller from the beginning.  You can read our story in my blog (see my siggie for the link) but please please please don't hesitate to email me at Taylo2Babies  @  gmail.com if you have questions.

I managed to make it to 28wks 6days before I had to deliver because Evan went into distress.  We knew it was IUGR from the very begining around 10 weeks when we found out by accident we were pg with twins.  IUGR is very scary but it is 100% survivable with no complications.  I'm not saying my story is perfect by any means, but all things considered my boys are doing realy realy great.  

The best thing that you can do at 24 weeks is to get the first round of steriods to help your baby's lungs grow faster.  You can have at least up to two seperate rounds spaced about two weeks apart.  I did this and it was the single best thing I could have done to save my boys.  The only other things you can really do is eat a high protien diet to fatten your baby up quickly, don't expend energy so your calories will go to the baby, have your peri-MFM monitor you as much as possible and see if they can admit you ASAP to be monitored in the hospital in the antipartem wing (that's what I did), and stay as calm and anxiety free (yeah, I know right?) as possible.

I am convinced what sent Evan into distress was that the night before I delivered they had trouble placing IV's in me and it took 5 trys before they got one in.  I have a horrid feer of needles and IV's realy hurt so I really think that this sent my anxiety over the edge and this caused Evan to go into distress in the end.  The problem with IUGR is not a matter of IF your baby will come early, it's a matter of WHEN and whether they will catch it because you really can't feel anything once the baby goes into distress.  

I'm sorry to scare you with that last paragraph, but that is my story in a tiny nutshell.  Please post here often as this board really saved my sanity and has helped me in ways that only preemie mom's can understand.  And you should know absolutely that there are many IUGR babies that make it to as far as 30, 32, 34, and 36 weeks with no problem and you very well will be one of those women.  

Lastly, my best Preemie reference to help prepare me for all things Preemie/NICU related is a great book called:

Preemies: The Guide for Parents of Premature Babies

It is hands down the absolute best book on preemies out there.  But a word of caution, ONLY READ the parts that pertain to you TODAY.  Do not read too far ahead, and don't read things that aren't happening to you because you will scare yourself and you are already scared enough.

Big hugs, and don't forget to let us know how you are doing!

Laura

Hugs to you!  It's very scary I know, but you will be strong because your baby needs you to be.

ijack

I don't have any advice, but good luck! We're all here to support you and listen to you vent and cry

georgy77

My DS was born at 24 w 4 d due to severe pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension and IUGR and only weighed 14.5 ozs.  He was on a ventilator for 6 weeks but came home on a very small flow of oxygen after 102 days in the NICU.  I was seeing a high risk doctor but was not put on bedrest, which I'm still very bitter about because I think I could've gone longer had I been put on bedrest.  But it sounds like they are monitoring you closely, as they should.  I know it's easier said than done, but try to relax and take it easy, you want your little one to bake as long as possible.   

gymrat

I don't have any advice but I want to say that I will be praying that your baby cooks for as long as possible.

ShanaNChris

I am so sorry. Try to stay positive and do everything your Doc says, esp the bed rest. I delivered at 31 weeks and she measured small for her gestation, not sure if it was IUGR or the Pre-e/HELLP. There are lots of ladies here that know what you are going through and this is a great board for support. Will be praying that you can keep your little one in as long as possible (((HUGS)))

hrhmary

Have you ever gotten an "official" diagnosis  of your uterus' shape?  There is a great group on Yahoo called Mullerian Anomalies that I belong to (I have uterine didelphys - complete duplicate uterus and cervix) that might be a good place to post this also.  I know that for some women with septate uterus or bicornuate uterus, iugr can result from the placenta implanting in a location that does not have ideal blood flow. 

 Best wishes - you and your baby will be in my thoughts and prayers!

 Mary