Severe Intrauterine Growth Restriction

[Thenightwillalwayswin]

We've been having a really difficult time. Our Downs screening came back with a 1:6 risk, we had the amino which came back clear. The Fetal Medicine Consultant called us back for the 20 week scan as she wasn't totally comfortable when she did the amino scan. Anyway, over the last month, we have had countless scans and it appears that we have a Severe IUGR which is likely the result of placental dysfunction (the Umbilical Artery Doppler isn't working properly). The Consultant and Midwives are absolutely brilliant, but the stress is so much. We've been told to be prepared for every eventuality, and that's so hard. We have scans twice a week but in-between scans I get so paranoid about movement and worry that something will happen. We are now 24 weeks, so delivery is now an option, but because he is so small, it's isn't the most viable option. I veer dramatically between thinking things will be OK and being convinced that we've lost him.

Have other people experienced this? What happened? How did you cope with the ongoing uncertainty? At what point did you have to deliver? (One of the main problems is that this has developed so early in the pregnancy). Thank you.

Hi Thenight , how stressful for you. I haven't had experience of this myself although my son was born prematurely at 28 weeks weighing 2lb 12oz. He spent 2 months in SCBU and in that time we met many babies with IUGR and their parents.

From what I can gather, you continue to be the best incubator for your baby unless s/he is judged to be at immediate risk, at least whilst they are so early. I seem to remember lots of babies with IGUR were delivered around the same gestation as my DS (28 - 30 weeks) and most that I saw grew well 'on the outside.'

I hope things go well for you. Please keep us posted!

UnMN hugs x

sorry to hear this thenight..., we had a similar problem in my first pregnancy, first picked up at about 22 weeks, but not mentioned to us... then identified again at 27 weeks and straight into hospital, with IUGR

he was delivered a week later as the doppler identified almost reverse flow, which i think means the blood wasn't even making it to my little boy, but flowing away from him. steroids were given to help mature his lungs before the c-section and as far as i remember that was all they could do apart from closely monitoring the situation.

(this all happened quickly and abroad so our understanding of the situation was a little limited.) he was delivered at 1lb 11oz and is now 2 and a half and doing well - he spent about 3 months in hospital with various complications and it wasn't easy...

i am now pregnant 33 weeks, with the same problem identified quite early, and i am injecting clexane every day, a blood thinner, and also taking a fairly low dose of aspirin daily,

this time one of the arteries isn't functioning at all well, but the other is functioning 'enough to get by' at the moment, going back to hospital today, and as you say, getting through every appt is a relief but an ordeal.

do you know how much he weighs now? there were other children delivered at 24 weeks in the unit at the same time, but i did not keep in touch, so don't know how things worked out...

every day really counts at this point, so i hope you make it as far as possible, maybe ask your dr if aspirin is an option? thinking of you x

Thinking of you, I've no experience of IUGR but I can sympathise with what you're going through . For what it's worth I think snowboarder is right when she says that your baby is safest with you unless you have to deliver - hang I'm there I'm sure you'll be fine xxx

Thank you so much for your kind messages. It really helps to hear other people's experiences (especially when they have positive outcomes). He is around 300g at the moment, so delivery isn't an option at the moment (the Consultant told us this morning that 500g is a minimum weight to consider delivery). They were saying that getting to 28 weeks would greatly increase the chances of a positive outcome. We are on aspirin, but only got put on it in the last few weeks, so it may be too little, too late.

Efeslight - it sounds as if your situation is quite similar to ours. We have Doppler problems but its showing an absent flow rather than reverse. We've been told if it becomes a reverse flow, that would be a major factor in deciding to bring him out early. I'm really sorry you are having similar problems again, but at least they've identified it early. I'll keep everything crossed for you. Please keep us posted.

It certainly seems to be the case that every day is a small victory and every week an even bigger one. Just have to keep everything crossed and stay positive, but it's not always easy. I'll keep you posted.

Hi, just wanted to see if anyone was still on this post?

My situation is almost identical to @Thenightwillalwayswin and last week i went from absent flow to reverse flow.

Any similar experiences out there would be greatly appreciated!

Im in same situation myself .can u tell me how u got on