IUGR and small placenta

[suedonim]

Can anyone shed light on the causes of IUGR and small placentas? A friend's first baby arrived at term, weighing barely 5lb. The placenta was also small. Now, her second baby has arrived, less than 5lb and again with a small placenta and narrow cord.

Friend's pg's and labours have been uneventful, she's of average build herself and she put on the normal amount of weight, had no high BP or anything like that so what is likely to be the cause of her having such small babies/placentas? In the event of a third pg, is she likely to have an even smaller baby? TIA for any replies.

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Anyone?

Bumping again!

Hi Sue

Has your friend spoken to her doctor or midwife about this? As it has happened twice now it does look like she makes them that way. On the other hand 5lb is not extremely small.

They haven't really said anything about why, they've just noted that it's occurred. It all seems a bit odd in that with No1 a scan around 38wks said the baby would be 9lb plus, but was nearly half that! This time, she had more scans. At 20wks they said the baby was big for dates but by 36wks it was only measuring 33wks.

I think friend is worrying she has some sort of small baby syndrome - is there such a thing? She's not planning any more atm, btw!!

Any more experiences/info?

growth scans are well known for not being accurate. cant help with the small babies though sorry

I'm thinking with the lack of response on this thread that maybe there isn't such a thing as 'small baby syndrome, which I guess is good news for my friend! Both mum and baby are home now and doing well.

Hi my baby had iugr and weighed 4lb13, i did everything in pregnancy to stay healthy...didn't smoke, didn't drimk, ate the right foods etc but a health visitor said that iugr can be caused by smoking, drinking etc, etc, thats why now when i tell doctors that she had iugr they asked did i smoke and drink? frustrates the life out of me!! i've read that its common in subsequent pregnancys too.