Asymmetrical IUGR

married2matt · December 2013

Hi...mainly lurker here, occasional responder, but never a post starter.

Sunday evening I started experiencing menstrual cramps. This carried over to Monday but they subsided during the day but came back Monday night. By Tuesday I was having back cramping and menstrual cramps for hours straight with no relief. My OB had me come in and turns out I've started to dilate (not really surprising since I have a 6&7 yr old at home), but she didn't think I was in active labor yet (I have not lost my MP and the cramping isn't regular). She also decided to send me for an U/S because I was measuring smaller than I had been in previous visits.

I went today for the U/S and baby girl is measuring in the 4th percentile overall. However, her belly is measuring in the 1st percentile which means what nutrients she is getting from the placenta are going straight to her heart/brain instead of plumping her up; it's called asymmetrical intrauterine growth restriction.

My OB has instructed that I have NSTs and BPP U/Ss twice a week until I deliver. They will induce me on 12/30 if they do not end up taking her before then. I've been put on modified bed rest and instructed to eat, eat, eat and drink, drink, drink.

I was caught off guard w/ this news today. Has anyone experienced anything similar? When was your LO born? How big were they? How long did they stay in the hospital? How was the labor?

I have to diligently do kick counts every two hours and call immediately if I have no decrease in movement. It's all so very stressful. Meanwhile the back cramps continue.

Edited/Added:

I lost my Dad to cancer on 11/27 (2 weeks ago yesterday). I feel like the grief of that and the stress of this news...well I'm just not handling it really well. I feel guilty that I can't give baby girl what she needs.

Yesterday I was upset over the idea of possibly having to leave my baby at the hospital (even though I know that's the best place for her). In the middle of the night I woke up with the thought that maybe they should take her now. Maybe I should call our Pediatrician (who we love and have used with the older two) and talk to him, then call my OB and talk to them about my concerns. I know being stressed will only hurt her more in the long run but when I think of those percentile numbers 4th and 1st...she's starving in there. This all breaks my heart.

sweet*18 · December 2013

I haven't had any experience with this but my thoughts and prayers are with you and LO. I'm glad they checked you out.

((Hugs))

jgraham80 · December 2013

I have no experience either, but will keep you and LO in my thoughts!

megs12914 · December 2013

I am on hospital bed rest but that's because my water broke so I get the bed rest part and the stress :-q . I'm sorry about what you are dealing with and will be sending you lots of thoughts and prayers!

km_md · December 2013

I have no experience, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that you're going through this ((hugs))

JaneW2 · December 2013

I'm borderline asymmetrical IUGR: 20th percentile overall, 5th percentile in belly size, diagnosed two weeks ago. I'm not on bed rest, but I'm supposed to avoid anything strenuous that might divert blood away from the baby.

I freaked out when I first heard, but what I've read is pretty reassuring overall. Growth restricted near-term babies may need extra hospital time, but usually not too long. They're tiny like preemies, but they don't have the lung/organ maturity issues. And once they get out and you start feeding them, they grow faster than seems possible and often catch up to other babies their age in a matter of months.

So, it's good that they are monitoring closely. They're most worried about the placental function failing further. But here's hoping that lying down and chugging water will help your baby plump up a bit soon!

km0022 · December 2013

At 33 weeks I fell to IUGR with her measuring at the 6th percentile. (some docs say 10% some i've heard say 5%).

My DD#1 was diagnosed at 31 weeks IUGR, I was hospitalized at 33 weeks bc of some higher BP readings which can be more severe even if they aren't that high with IUGR. And stayed hospitalized until 35 weeks when they induced (with zero progression for 48 hours maxed out on Pit) which ended in c/s. She was born 3 lbs 15 oz and spent 13 days in the NICU an hour and a half away.

My doctor never instructed me to "eat eat eat" as it was the cord failing me so stuffing my face wasn't going to make a difference. But you should 'rest rest rest" to try and nourish the placenta as much as possible. Hang in there and update us!

moosebaby2011 · December 2013

No experience, but I just wanted to say that I'm very sorry about the loss of your dad, and that you are having such a rough time.

JaneW2 · December 2013

Definitely talk to your pediatrician about the situation. After all, he'll be helping baby through those first few weeks.

And hang in there. Mine is currently holding steady percentile-wise, with any luck lying on your left side and drinking lots of water will help the placenta work better, and he'll gain by your next appointment.

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