Asymmetrical IUGR?

BeachGirll

c/p'ing from High-Risk...

Is anyone dealing with this?

At my U/S yesterday (I have growth scans every 4 weeks due to my clotting issues), they found baby's abdomen measuring about 2 weeks behind the rest of her body.  This is the first time this has been the case during an u/s.  They want me to come back in one week for another u/s and a biophysical profile.  I am really scared of waiting another week when baby possibly isn't getting what she needs through the cord/placenta.   My understanding is that they can't really diagnose asymmetrical IUGR after one scan (unlike symmetrical IUGR where baby is below the 10th percentile) so that is why they're doing the ultrasounds a week apart.  I'm just a complete nervous wreck.  Does anyone know anything about this?

GPickles

I have no answers for you, but hope everything looks better at your next scan.  ((hugs))

ColleenS629

I don't know anything about it, just sending you T&P.

lkstor

The good news is that you are term! If baby has to be delivered now she'll do great. You are correct that asymmetrical IUGR usually indicates nutrition/placenta issues. But her brain is getting enough nutrition to grow and that's great. They'll deliver you early if necessary. GL!

Zed58

While I'm not dealing with it this pregnancy, dd #1 was asymmetrical IUGR.  For me it was discovered at 29 weeks.  I went to that appointment expecting a nomral check up as I had had for every appt up until then.  But at 29 weeks, my fundal height was still measuring 27 (exactly the same as it was at my 27 w appt two weeks earlier). At 31 w, I was measuring 28.  That's when we started ultrasounds/BPPs every other week and NST's twice a week.  As my pregnancy progressed, she kept falling further and further behind in overall growth, BUT! The good thing was that her brain continued to develop right on target.

When she was delivered at 37w (we big time pushed it to 37w and doc said looking back maybe she pushed it too far) her head measured 37w, her chest/abdomen measured 34w and her arms leg measured 31(ish)w.  Overall, at 4lbs 15ozs and 18ins she measured about 34w.  The majority of her body weight was in her head while the rest of her looked soo tiny.  I was A-OK with that though.  In asymmetrical IUGR, it's like their bodies know that brain development is the most important thing.  Because they are receiving limited nutrients (due to either placenta or umblical cord issues (in our case both)), they only have so much to disperse throughout their little bodies.  A 'primary' supply of nutrients goes to developing the brain, a 'secondary' supply goes to developing vital chest organs, and in our case, her arms and legs got very little nutrients to aid in their development.

When she was born, she was whisked off to the NICU where she spent her first two weeks. All cases of IUGR are different, but for US, we have kinda been facing the aftermath of her being IUGR since the day she was born.  Many, many asymmetric IUGR babies grow out of it within the first 1-2 years.  Their bodies kind of even themselves out and they have few, if any, long term side effects.  DD, has some vision issues and has some very dwarf like characteristics (namely short humorous and femur, short fingers and toes, and still a very large head...but if you walked into her kindergarten classroom and I told you to pick her out, you would not be able to do so without VERY thuroughly looking at each child in the room).  

The most important thing you should know, is that for the most part, she is a perfectly healthy and happy (almost) six year old.  

IF you'd like to read more about our experience and what life has been like for her, you can check out my annual blog at:

https://www.shareyourstory.org/.ef6b48a

Sorry, I have no idea how to make that clicky.

If there is anything I can do or anything you need, please feel free to contact me!! 

BobbiJanay07

Lots of good thoughts. 

AppleRidge

::Butting in from PAL:: 

First, STOP googling.  We had two significant scares with IUGR, once at 28 and once at 36 weeks.  Both times, his head was measuring significantly ahead (2 or 3 weeks) of his body.  Both times, he passed the BPP and our peri assured us that he was totally normal.  They just want to make sure that the disparities between the measurements aren't growing from week to week, and that there aren't any obvious cord issues.  

Our son just turned out to be a little on the small side overall, and because he was pretty cramped up in there, the abdominal measurements were a little off.  Remember, the abdomen is the squishy part.  If the head and femurs are measuring right on and she passes her BPP, you're likely fine.

haziedaze

As a pediatrician I can tell you that the MOST important thing is that the head size is normal. The second important thing is that you are near term and baby would be fine if you delivered tomorrow. Your placenta may not be perfect, but many aren't by 37 weeks. It's sounds like the plan you have is a good one- check up on things soon and see. If you have to be induced, no biggie! ((HUGS))