IUGR ladies

djtippietoes · January 2014

I know there aren't a ton of us here but the high-risk board moves pretty slowly, so I thought I'd post here.

Anything you guys are doing to try to boost growth in these last few weeks? Extra protein? Bed rest? My doctor didn't seem to think that either was necessary but I figured that they couldn't hurt, so I've been trying to eat a bunch of protein (I'm mostly vegetarian, so it's harder) and I took off work a week early as an attempt to rest, though all I've been doing is trying to prepare for baby and not resting.

MissDemeanor · January 2014

I'm not in this situation, so I don't have any answer. But I don't think extra protein can hurt. Especially if you get powder and put it in a yummy smoothie or milkshake! At the very least, a good snack might help you relax a bit.

oscarkat · January 2014

I've just been trying to take it a bit easier than normal, and eat more frequently. I'm trying to snack constantly on fruit and nuts, and eat a bunch of small meals throughout the day.

ziggy903 · January 2014

I just want to offer (((hugs)))
I knew my condition was linked to iugr, but MFS seemed totally chill about his growth. I would try to rest, and extra protein can't hurt!

JoCountry · January 2014

I already delivered, but never got any advice about things to try. Just not to worry too much, which was totally impossible. (Eye roll). Protein and rest sure can't hurt! I have been thinking of you ladies as we've worked thru our first couple days. Hugs!

djtippietoes · January 2014

Congrats @JoCountry ! I hope everything went smoothly.

magentawarped · January 2014

I'm not IUGR, but I was wondering the same thing since LO is measuring fairly small. I was also thinking that maybe some extra protein couldn't hurt.

JoCountry · January 2014

Thanks dj! We've had some challenges but nothing too scary. Best I can say is to trust the Drs. It sounds like you are expecting a CS. The biggest challenge we've had is getting his energy up enough to keep him eating enough. A vicious cycle :-S . I had only done a little prep on breast feeding and pumping, so we've had to learn a lot really fast. I hadn't expected to have him so soon so wasn't really ready in many ways. I'll be thinking of you as your CS date gets closer!

ziggy903 · January 2014

@jocountry was your guy fairly early as well as iugr?
I had LO at 32 weeks, and he was nearly iugr- 11%, iugr cutoff is 10%. He definitely doesn't have enough energy to breast or bottle feed yet, but that's completely to do with prematurity. My doctors/nurses haven't said anything with his nicu stay(so far) is because he's small, all because he's premature.

ktzier · January 2014

I am 35 weeks and have been on bed rest since 31 due to low amniotic fluid and my little guy is measuring 3rd percentile. I have just been drinking a ton of water and I figured protein was good too. I have been drinking a muscle milk every day and eating a hard boiled egg. I had an appointment today and they said to have my bags packed just in case for next weeks appointment! So nervous and excited all at the same time!

lihau88 · January 2014

My DR suggested extra protein, lots of laying down and resting, and extra water. I've been doing all 3. I might run an errand or two here and there, but otherwise resting on the couch. Which is a big difference from being at work all day. For protein- I've been drinking a Boost Protein shake/drink twice a day, eating extra peanut butter, a protein bar here and there, chicken, tofu, and a hard boiled egg here and there. And I've been trying to eat every 3-4 hours or so. I also upped my water to almost a gallon a day.

I feel bloated from all the extra food and water, but I just keep thinking "anything to help her grow!!"

JoCountry · January 2014

@ziggy903 I was induced at 37 weeks2days because Sam was measuring 2nd percentile and was considered severely iugr. We didn't start to have growth concerns at all until 34 weeks, so by the time we got a couple scans in, I was already far enough along to just go straight to induction. At birth he was not considered abnormally small, but between being a teeny early, his smallish size and the growth restriction in utero he has struggled a little.

djtippietoes · January 2014

@JoCountry how much did he weigh at birth ? I was also told 2nd percentile (at 35 weeks) and will deliver at 37.

ShreyaR · January 2014

Hello ladies, I wasn't told to do much by my doctor but my midwife wanted me to start my maternity leave soon after my baby was diagnosed with IUGR! But I have upped my protein and as per my midwife's advice I am resting all day long, I go for walk in the evening and do a little cooking when DH is not home! I do eat a lot these days! Yes, hard boiled eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, fruits n nuts, meat, peanut butter and all that! I do need to get that Shake u guys have been talking about!! Goodluck to all of ur n t&ps!! Grow babies grow!! Xx

JoCountry · January 2014

@djtippietoes he weighed 5 lbs 4 oz. 18.5 in. And he really is doing good. The energy thing is an easy fix...we are supplementing him with my pumped milk and donor breast milk. And are on a pretty strict 2.5 hr feeding schedule. But within a couple hours of starting the supplementing yesterday morning he started perking up. The drs have kept a close eye on everything and been very proactive in making sure he was doing good.

djtippietoes · January 2014

JoCountry said:
@djtippietoes he weighed 5 lbs 4 oz. 18.5 in. And he really is doing good. The energy thing is an easy fix...we are supplementing him with my pumped milk and donor breast milk. And are on a pretty strict 2.5 hr feeding schedule. But within a couple hours of starting the supplementing yesterday morning he started perking up. The drs have kept a close eye on everything and been very proactive in making sure he was doing good.

Great news! And that's a good weight and makes me feel optimistic about mine if he stays in the 2nd percentile.

MrsL32 · January 2014

I'm trying the extra protein as suggested on here, but no bedrest yet, although based on how things go between now and my scheduled RCS at 39 weeks (3 weeks from now), my doc has mentionned that it's a possibility. But, for now he's passed all his BPP/growth scans/NSTs, and he's holding stable around 8th percentile, so they haven't given me any additional restrictions. I'm trying to rest as much as possible...with a 2 year old at home to chase around!!!

JoCountry · January 2014

@djtippietoes I'm sure you've been told to only trust the growth scans so far. That's the truth for sure! When we were induced Thursday I had two scans from two different techs/facilities. One said 5 lbs and the other 5 lbs 6 oz. they told me the scans were accurate +\- a pound. That's a pretty big window, So you can definitely have lots of hope!

djtippietoes · January 2014

JoCountry said:
@djtippietoes I'm sure you've been told to only trust the growth scans so far. That's the truth for sure! When we were induced Thursday I had two scans from two different techs/facilities. One said 5 lbs and the other 5 lbs 6 oz. they told me the scans were accurate +\- a pound. That's a pretty big window, So you can definitely have lots of hope!

To trust the scans or not to trust them? They told me they could be off. I had one at 35 weeks and it estimated 3.10. They were having some trouble getting the abdomen measurement bc his arms were in the way. I really just hope he is over 4 lbs. they won't do another growth scan even though I've asked several times.

djtippietoes · January 2014

Also, were any of you ladies IUGR yourselves? My mom didn't have a diagnosis of that back in the day, but I was born at 40-41 weeks at 5.9 which is only 2nd percentile.

JoCountry · January 2014

djtippietoes said:

Also, were any of you ladies IUGR yourselves? My mom didn't have a diagnosis of that back in the day, but I was born at 40-41 weeks at 5.9 which is only 2nd percentile.

I wasn't iugr, but I was born at 42 weeks (my mom had late babies, both my brother and I were 2 weeks late!) and I was 7 lbs and 5 oz. had I been born at 40 weeks, I'd have probably been pretty small.

lihau88 · January 2014

djtippietoes said:
Also, were any of you ladies IUGR yourselves? My mom didn't have a diagnosis of that back in the day, but I was born at 40-41 weeks at 5.9 which is only 2nd percentile.

I wasn't born small. While I don't remember my exact weight, I know it was pretty average....but with a big head. Ughh...my mother ALWAYS loves to bring up the fact that I had a huge head. I'm sure I'll hear it next week at the hospital a few more times. LoL.

Oh, and I also asked yesterday to check her size/growth during my ultrasound because I'm so curious if all the extra protein and rest has helped, and they also told me there was no point. She told me, "it's only been a week. It would be like weighing yourself everyday. No point." Guess I'll just sit in suspense for the next week and hope she reaches 5lbs!

djtippietoes · January 2014

@lihau88 they wouldn't do another growth scan for me either. Guess we will find out soon enough!

MrsL32 · January 2014

I was adopted so I don't know if I was an IUGR baby, I don't have any birth info. DS1 was not IUGR though - far from it - he was in the 85th percentile for weight when he was born!! So, this diagnosis really caught me off guard, I was expecting another big guy!

cksmith29 · January 2014

@djtippietoes My older sister was barely 5 pounds at full term birth. My mom gained very,very little weight and wore her normal clothes throughout her entire pregnancy. IUGR was not something they diagnosed back in the early 70's, but it seems that she would have been there should they have looked for those things. My sister hit her normal milestones. She was dainty in her first year, but she caught up to her peers and was a completely normal child and now adult. I assure you that most of her pictures, other than the very newborn, look just like the rest of us.

Hang in there. I'm sure you will be surprised how strong your boy will be even if little.

ShreyaR · January 2014

Hello ladies, I had a Doppler scan today and surprisingly baby was right on his date! I mean he wasn't behind in abdominal circumference or femur length! Last time I had a scan my baby was 2-3 weeks behind AC and FL! And now he seems to be growing as he is supposed to, I am really happy and relieved about it. I don't know if I will still be induced this week, I will be seeing my doctor this Wednesday and then she will decide if we are to wait until his Edd or still induce me because his head is OOR, out of range, which is apparently +40 weeks! And I am just 37 weeks 4 days at the moment!
I also think scan can be deceiving because last time I had the scan, baby was way behind and now he is a week ahead! Either they made a mistake or baby grew really fast! I don't know! But just want to say, don't lose hope and I am praying for all of you!! Tc!!

cauliflowereyes · January 2014

Hmm, I was a 6 pounder when I was born at 42 weeks.. Then once I emerged, quickly became the fattest, roly-poly baby ever, lol! Then a real hulk of a toddler and a fit, tall kid. Makes me wonder if some IUGR was at play for my mom back in the day.

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