Experiences with pregnancy after IUGR

[Nosleepclub14]

Hi everyone,

I am currently 32 weeks pregnant with my second baby. With my first DD I measured small towards the end of pregnancy and ended up being induced at 37 weeks exactly due to IUGR.

At the moment my bump is measuring average but it was with DD at this stage too, so whilst this is good news I’m not taking it that baby will be average sized.

I wondered if anyone had any experiences they could share if you’ve had IUGR or a small baby then had another pregnancy?
I’ve not had the normal level of growth scans due to covid and my midwife hasn’t offered much advice/help!

Thank you

Congratulations @Nosleepclub14 glad all is well

Congrats @Nosleepclub14 amazing news and what a fab weight! Well done for making it so far, enjoy your lovely newborn cuddles

Thanks @Corilee2806 I’m doing ok, counting down the sleeps until my 34w scan. It really does feel like forever doesn’t it, only 2 weeks but when you know the next appointment is a key milestone in what happens next it’s so hard. Luckily I’ve got a really busy week at work so I won’t have too much time to worry about it!
What time is your scan tomorrow? Will be thinking of you

My first was induced at 37 weeks at a mighty 4lb 8oz with iugr. Perfectly healthy. They had a nurse from special care waiting to whisk him away but they didn't cos they had no reason to :) home 48 hours later.

He is 13 months and slightly small for his height. Started walking within the last week. I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant with his little brother or sister so slightly nervous to see how this pregnancy goes!

Thanks @yoomoo, I had it this afternoon and the pattern of growth seems to be staying roughly the same, baby is now on 6th centile from 7th, it was a detailed fetal medicine scan which was quite reassuring. Blood flow etc still all ok but they will now switch me to weekly scans (only measuring growth every other) with the plan to induce at 37 weeks - 3 weeks time!

Keeping busy definitely helps, having this whole weekend to think wasn’t ideal and finishing work on Friday - my toddler should keep me busy though!

Thank you everyone! He is adorable and my daughter is in love with him - maybe a bit too much!!

@Corilee2806 I did! I was 38+5 when induction started and gave birth the next day. Glad to see your scans confirmed baby boy is healthy, not long until you get to meet him and it’ll all be worth it have they given you an estimate weight?

@Nosleepclub14 glad to hear your daughter loves him, that gives me hope! And that you had a nice quick induction - fingers crossed for the same all round! They think he’ll be about 5lb when I’m induced so similar to my daughter. Currently washing all the teeny vests!

Glad it went well @Corilee2806 and that it was so detailed. Did they give you an estimate of what he weighs at the moment?

I was wondering if Fetal medicine might get involved given the drop from over 10th to under 3rd was so big but I guess they might see what the scan shows and then refer me for a more detailed one. My hospitals policy is to also do weekly Doppler checks so I’m assuming I might be referred for those too.

Have you been officially diagnosed with IUGR? SGA was written in my notes from last time but from reading online the terms seem to be sometimes used as the same thing or totally different depending on the hospital!

I panic bought a load of 5lb baby vests and sleepsuits too tracking his current growth to 37w gives a weight of just under 5!

@yoomoo they have estimates around 4lb at the moment, so in the next few weeks if he gains at a rate of around 4oz a week he might get to 5lb! Yes make sure you ask about the care plan when you have your scan and depending on what it shows, that they put a good plan in place for you. It’s good that you’re already familiar with their protocol and know what they should be doing for you!

Yes, now I’ve had the two scans we’ve been given the official diagnosis - I think they don’t tend to do it based off one scan, but after two or more it’s easier to tell. I had SGA in my notes from the first scan, I think when they see drops in the curve that’s when they can be more confident it’s IUGR.

Good to stock up on some tiny baby, at that sort of weight you should get some good use out of it! Our of interest where did you order from? We have a fair bit we can use from my DD, but would like to get a few more things, struggling to find any in that size though!

@Corilee2806 sorry for the slow reply, hectic at work this week! I ordered from Sainsbury’s, only have sleepsuits and vests so far in plain white, all of his patterned stuff is newborn size so he will have to grow into that! I might try and order a 5lb size cardigan from M&S as I think they’ve got a good small range!
Scan today and I’ve been awake since 5am thinking about it, so hope he’s going to be ok. Will be glad when we’ve got a plan, assuming I should also be seen by someone from Fetal Medicine if he’s not had a big growth spurt in last 2 weeks.
Will report back!

@yoomoo been thinking of you today, I hope you got on ok and have a good plan in place for what happens next.

Thanks for the tips on Sainsbury’s, I didn’t know they did tiny baby but I’ve had a look and there’s some nice bits!

Congratulations OP! Fantastic weight.

For anyone else googling and reading this thread for reference: I had 2 SGA babies.

First was born at 38 weeks at 5lb10oz / 4th percentile for weight

Second was born at 39 weeks at 6lb / 7th percentile for weight

Loads of growth scans and was induced both times.

Both happy healthy toddlers tracking around the 50th percentile now!

Thank you @Corilee2806 for thinking of me. Well he’s had a little growth spurt although I feel quite sceptical to be honest as I’m not convinced their measurements are correct. He’s now measuring at 4lbs 10oz which is great but his legs are off the scale small apparently - tummy and head looking normal. Overall he’s 7th centile which is better than under 3rd he was last time.
Registrar spoke to Fetal medicine who aren’t concerned and said most likely positioning issue, I do also wonder if sonographers measure differently? She did the leg measurements about 20 times but the head and tummy were quick.
I don’t know what to think, next scan is at 36w so will see what’s said then. Hopefully he continues on that growth line and legs are bigger
Good thing is umbilical cord and placenta all look fine so nothing to be concerned about.
Hoping to get to 39w for my section now then he’ll be a good size and no need for the small baby clothes and nappies! I’ll donate them to the hospital SCBU though so they don’t go to waste.
I think he will still be small, maybe around 6lbs at birth if he continues as he is!
When is your next scan?

@yoomoo glad it was ok although I feel your frustration when the scan isn’t as conclusive as you’d hoped - that’s the slightly annoying thing with growth issues, it’s such a case of watch and wait and see how it goes! But the main thing is they’re not seeing anything that concerns them at the moment and the plan can continue with baby getting to stay in for as long as possible. I always feel like each scan is going to help me know what the outcome will be and I hate not being in control, so I know how difficult it is! I think the leg measurements must be harder to do, I remember my sonographer doing them quite a few times.

If he’s little you might still get use out of those first sizes, especially as they’re so scrunched up when they’re born! My next scan is 36 weeks so we’re on a similar schedule. I’m expecting they’ll probably set a date for induction after that.

When is your next scan @Corilee2806? Fingers crossed for you let me know how it goes!

Hi @yoomoo, it’s this Wednesday, hoping that’s the final one and they can then give me a plan/date assuming he’s still around the same centile! Which would be next week - scary! How about you? x

@Corilee2806 ahh mine is Thursday morning first thing! I’m intrigued as to what he’s going to measure up like as we’ve had:
28w: 11th centile
32w: 2nd centile
34w: 7th centile
Literally have no idea what the outcome might be on Thursday 😂 will be relieved to know a plan though whether that’s delivery at 37 or 39 weeks. Definitely won’t be term as I’m having a section. Although I’ve always had a feeling I won’t make it to 39w, I think he’s making escape plans already as I’ve been having quite bad back and period pains on and off all weekend. Just 3 more weeks of work to make it through! Kinda need to know their plan for definite on Thursday though so I can sort our lives out! Let me know how you get on, will be keeping everything crossed that you’ve got a few more weeks of growing x

@Corilee2806 and @yoomoo

Good luck for both your scans! Hope they go well, not long left for you both x

Thank you @Nosleepclub14 how are you getting on with your little one at home? X

Thanks @Nosleepclub14! Do let us know how you’re doing, hope all is well!

I know, potentially not long for either of us @yoomoo! I’ve had a bit of a stressful few days, various issues with CTGs and reduced movements (and possibly fluid), I was nearly admitted yesterday but just about avoided it but now have to keep a hawk eye on movements and go back if I’m not happy, which means they then might keep me in for continuous monitoring. They’ve also picked up a UTI and thought yesterday that I might have pre eclampsia, which meant more tests, and potentially also a rare infection which I’m waiting to hear back about - it’s so rare though that it seems highly unlikely! so I’m hoping it’s another erroneous lab result, which is what the pre eclampsia turned out to be.

So all in all a bit stressed and just want a date and plan really! The way the doctors are talking it’s a case of getting to next week now.

Oh blimey @Corilee2806 how are you doing today? I think your scan was booked for today so will be thinking of you. Hope it all goes well and they’ve ruled out infections and pre eclampsia- that’s just what you need!

Oh goodness @Corilee2806 sounds so scary, baby is definitely keeping you on your toes. Hopefully after your scan they will have a plan for you so you can get everything sorted. Not long until newborn cuddles!

All going well so far here thank you
Baby boy is now 17 days old and weighs 8lb 14! Already out of most newborn sizes! He’s still a bit jaundice so have to take him to have thats reviewed again next week. And my toddler is still obsessed and in love with baby too!!

Hi everyone! I’ve not been getting notifications for this thread so am a bit behind!

@Nosleepclub14 Huge congratulations! I’m so relieved that everything went ok for you and you’ve got a lovely baby boy ❤️. Hope the jaundice clears up soon.

@Corilee2806 You poor thing. Hopefully it’s good news about the infection and pre-eclampsia and you don’t have either.

I had my 32 week scan today today to check my placenta and they also checked the growth. Placenta has moved up but it’s right on the guidelines of what is acceptable so they’re re-scanning at 36 weeks. The sonographer said it was very much down to individual consultants/hospitals as to whether they would prefer a c section or would be happy to let me go into labour. The consultant I saw today said it would likely be an induction at 39 weeks if I chose to try and labour but that she would make a final decision about induction vs section at the 36 week scan. Good news is my little girl has been growing and has stayed on the 10th percentile line. They will have a look at her growth at the 36 week scan when they have a look at the placenta. 😊

@Leodot

Thank you! Glad to hear your placenta has moved and baby girl is growing along her centile too! All good news!
And yeah I found too it definitely depends on who you see as to the advice you get and the plan for care!!

@yoomoo how did it go yesterday? Hope all was well and you have a plan in place now!

@Leodot glad things are moving in the right direction, hopefully at your next scan the placenta will have moved out of the way completely if it’s already on its way! It really does depend on your consultant, remember if you’re ever not happy with what you’re being told you can ask for a second opinion.

@Nosleepclub14

Thank you. I was really pleased as she’s stayed perfectly on that line and they looked at the blood flow from her to the placenta and said it was fine as well 😊.

@Corilee2806 Thanks, I think as a first time mum I’m not always sure what to ask and what to say as I don’t want to feel like I’m making a fuss and annoying them! I’m happy to wait until 36 weeks and see what the situation is. My only question is, if I try to labour naturally and then end up with an EMCS, would that be really stressful for the baby, especially as she is smaller so would it be better to have an ELCS and avoid that. Hopefully they’ll be able to talk me through that 😊. How are you? Any results back yet?