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Original poster

Anyone else had a child with IUGR?

10 replies

becaroo · 08/02/2007 19:39

My ds who is now 3.5 yrs old was born at term but weighed only 4lbs 15oz. He went down to 4lbs 8oz. He was very poorly/floppy/poor suck reflex/prolonged janudice etc. I was told that it was a result of IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction). Our fist 6 months were one long round of hospital visits and tests and it was nightmarish. He seems very well now and I love him to bits. I am wondering about having another child....it has taken this long for me to build up my courage. I supposedly did everything "right" in my first pregnancy..I dont smoke, dont drink, dont do recreational drugs, took folic acid and vitamins..and it still went horribly wrong. The mw and scan did not pick up anything and that worries me too. Am I stupid to want to try again? Would really appreciate some advice, especially if anyone has any experience of this.....thanks

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wheelybug · 08/02/2007 19:45

Hi Becaroo. DD had IUGR but was actually born pretty strong and healthy although 4 lbs 9oz. However, her problems were picked up from about 22 weeks so, although once she was born our worries were over we did have 15 weeks of pure worry wondering if she'd stop growing too soon and not make it etc.

I don't think there is any link between 1 IUGR baby and another. It can be caused by pre-eclampsia and if you have pre-eclampsia you won't necessarily get that again. I haven't had a second child yet although thats not for the want of trying ().

If you want another child go for it and good luck...

whoopswithminiwhoopstinybump · 08/02/2007 19:50

Hi becaroo
My ds was born at 33 weeks weighing 2lb 15ozmy doctor picked up I was measuring small at about 29 weeks and then after going to see the consultant at 31 weeks and then refered for the scan at 33 weeks. He is now 5 with no problems I know what you mean about hospital visits etc and had the same worries as you for a no.2 dd was born at 29 weeks weighing 10lb 5oz so a nice healthy weight (i say she made up fr what ds lost!)
I am now expecting no.3 and hoping this will go as smoothly as the last

bakeacake · 08/02/2007 22:25

Becaroo- my DS was born at 38 weeks weighing 4lb 15oz- snap! Also down to IUGR. It was picked up at a scan at 34 weeks where he measured about the size of a 30 weeker. I did everything right in pg too. I had major blood tests which were all neg for blood clotting disorders etc. but my placenta had lots of blood clots on it so must have been the cause. DS' 1st year was VERY tough feeding/healthwise but he is a very healthy 2yr old now.

I am 25 wks pg again and all fine so far. Being monitored VERY closely and am on heparin to thin the blood as a precautionary measure.

Yes, go for it if you want another. Do you know the cause for your IUGR? Did you have tests done?

Original poster

becaroo · 09/02/2007 16:29

Thank you...its reassuring to know I'm not the only one. No cause was ever found...but no tests were done either! Do you think if I went to the doctor and asked for some swabs/tests he would be sympathetic? Wheelybug...10lbs 5oz!!

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Original poster

becaroo · 09/02/2007 16:32

sorry..whoopswithminiwhoopstinybump- 10lbs 5 oz!! Cor blimey!

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Original poster

becaroo · 09/02/2007 18:16

Can I ask, whoops...did you have any tests done after your ds was born, and if so what were they? I didnt have any done - I wasnt offered any. Bakeacake...what tests do you mean? I dont suppose there are any tests that can help before you conceive.....

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whoopswithminiwhoopstinybump · 09/02/2007 18:22

Becaraoo - I didn't have any tests when ds was born I was told that the placenta would be looked at but I had him at a different hospital and they didn't do anything with it.
I also think that I was expecting twins originally but lost one at 10 weeks as I had a large bleed and I think this is what damaged the placenta causing it to stop working.
I didn't have any test before conceiving dd and was told it was probably a one off

bakeacake · 09/02/2007 19:00

I had a post-natal appointment with the consultant and asked if he knew why ds had stopped growing etc. He basically said my placenta had started dying off early and there were clots. He sent me off for a thrombophilia blood test, which (I think) tests for various blood clotting disorders etc. They take 10+ vials of blood!! I then saw the haematologist who said my placenta had fibrosis (clots), the blood tests were all neg, he said it was probably bad luck/ one off but still recommended heparin if I got pg again.

KateF · 09/02/2007 19:18

My dd1 was born at 39 weeks weighing 5lb 4oz and was in SCBU for a week. Apparently the placenta had not been functioning well, cause unknown. With dd2 I had six weekly scans and she was a bouncing 7lb 14oz and with dd3 they all relaxed and she weighed in at 7lb 10oz. It will always worry you having had a problem with your first but statistically it seems unlikely to have the same thing again.

Original poster

becaroo · 09/02/2007 19:40

Thank you for all your posts...I suppose I have always thought that somehow I was to "blame" for my sons IUGR. I think I will just have to hope for the best and go for it. You are all an inspiration!!

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