Fetal growth restriction

[anxiousmum1998]

Trigger warning -Fetal growth restriction ,neonatal care and still borns
So I had my son back in 2019 weighing 5LB 8 with fetal growth restriction at 39 weeks .My son wasn’t even diagnosed as having fetal growth restriction until I was 38 weeks so was never scanned regularly or given aspirin.

I am now pregnant with my second baby and have been put on aspirin to try and prevent fetal growth restriction and have been told I will be having scans every 2 weeks from 30 weeks onwards

I have unfortunately scared myself read online that FGR can cause the bath to be still born or if born to early can spend months in the neonatal unit and end up with long term health issues all of which my midwife and consultant have failed to mention.All I was told is that I’ll likely have a c section and the baby will likely be be born early .

I am now incredibly anxious and terrified of losing the baby .Has anyone had fetal growth restriction and the baby been ok or been able to come home after spending short time in the hospital.If the baby does need to stay on the hospital would o be able to hold the baby as normal ? Reassurance much needed .

I had Intrauterine Growth Restriction with my second baby.
Growth scans every 2 weeks from 30 weeks. I had cord blood flow and placenta checked too but everything was normal there.
What ended up being my last growth scan at 34 weeks suggested that if baby continued to follow the curve on his growth chart, he’d be 4lb 8oz if born at term.
I went into labour spontaneously at 36+0 - completely textbook labour and birth. He weighed 5lbs 13oz and didn’t need any help at all. He was breathing just fine on his own, feeding like a champ and no issues with temperature regulation. He was actually in better shape than both of his sisters who were born at 38+1 and 40+0.

Really sorry you’re going through this! My baby was FGR and we were checked regularly in 3rd trimester. We had a planned c-section at 36w after some scans showed abnormal blood flow and growth on 2nd centile, but ended up going into labour at 35w, still was a section though as she was breech. She was 4lbs 13oz and did everything on her own! Around 2 weeks in hospital but just usual late preemie stuff, no neonatal needed. She’s still small but growing nicely on her own curve.

I also spent a lot of time looking things up and totally understand how you’re feeling. Even though it’s worrying it’s good they’ve picked it up and will keep a close eye on everything!

I forgot to mention that part……

My DS is still small for his age, but he also has some other medical stuff going on (completely unrelated to the IUGR!).
Height-wise he’s catching up with other kids his age, but weight-wise he’s really skinny!

IUGR mum here and I understand very well how you are feeling.
My DS was showing small from the very beginning, but amazingly he kept growing accordingly to his own curve, with no visible anomalies. He was also very very active and kicking a lot.

He got delivered at 32 weeks by emergency c-section as his heartbeat was a bit worrying (and there were other risk factors not related specifically to him). He was only 2 pounds when he was born and stayed in hospital until his due date.

He didn't know how to feed or regulate his temperature. He was very hairy and red, but I could cuddle him every day as much as I wanted. I stayed with him as much as the hospital let me. I expressed on a regular basis and when he was ready he learned how to feed from my breast. At that point he was declared ready to go home.

He kept growing following his own curve (in the 2nd percentile more or less) until he was a toddler, and now he's in primary is going up the curve (he's 9th for weight and 25th for height). However, we are not a tall family so he might well be perfectly on average for his DNA!

He's a clever, smart, active and healthy little boy :)

I was scanned regularly in my last trimester too. They will keep a very good eye on how baby is developing. Perhaps mention your, quite natural, anxiety to your MW but try and not let it rob you of the enjoyment of the PG