When the projected fetal weight is less than the 10th percentile for the gestational age, this is what we call intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A parent giving birth may have long-term illnesses or infections, or there may be problems with the placenta or umbilical cord. Frequent fetal monitoring, testing, and maybe an early birth are all part of the treatment.
Intrauterine Growth Restriction: What is It?
Fetal growth restriction, also known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), occurs when the fetus is smaller than normal for gestational age (number of weeks in the pregnancy). It indicates that the fetus isn’t developing inside your uterus at the normal rate. IUGR is weighing less than 9 out of 10 infants of the same age (below the 10th percentile).
Fetuses develop at varying rates, thus just because they “measure small,” they may not necessarily have IUGR. Small-sized fetuses are typically born small but healthy. Being 5’1″ doesn’t make you less healthy than someone who is 6’4″, comparable to how it is with adults. However, the underlying medical condition of certain expectant parents can result in a fetus that is underdeveloped for its gestational age.
How is Intrauterine Growth Restriction Discovered?
When your doctor starts measuring your fundal height (the distance between your pubic bone and uterus) at each prenatal appointment after 20 weeks of pregnancy, IUGR is frequently identified. Your doctor might suspect IUGR and prescribe additional testing if this measurement is shorter than expected.
Related post: Infant Growth Chart
Effects
IUGR has a variety of effects on your pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will want to schedule more ultrasounds, tests, and prenatal visits to monitor the development of the fetus. Your healthcare professional will assist you in managing the underlying issue if it is the cause of IUGR. The management of your IUGR diagnosis is specific to your pregnancy and situation.
Is an IUGR Pregnancy High-risk?
Depending on the reason for the growth restriction, your doctor may classify your pregnancy as high-risk. The majority of fetuses with IUGR, however, are healthy and only need closer observation during pregnancy.
Significance and Causes of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
What Stops a Fetus From Growing Normally?
Fetal growth limitation could come from a number of factors. Sometimes it manifests as a result of a placental or umbilical cord disorder. These organs are in charge of supplying the fetus with food, oxygen, and blood. The fetus may be small for its age if not given enough nutrition.
When you: Are expecting twins or triplets, a fetus may have FGR.
- Have a prior pregnancy with IUGR.
- A low blood count, heart problems, or excessive blood pressure.
- Consume drinks, smoke, or utilize recreational drugs.
- Possess an autoimmune disease.
- A renal condition
- Utilize seizure medicine.
- Possess diabetes.
- Possess a disease like toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), syphilis, rubella, or syphilis.
Additionally, if your child has a congenital or genetic disease like Down syndrome, fetal growth restriction may also be present (trisomy 21).
What Contributes Most Frequently to Prenatal Growth Restriction?
Fetal growth restriction may come from a variety of circumstances or it may not. Your doctor will collaborate with you to determine the underlying cause (if there is one).
What signs and symptoms might someone have intrauterine growth restriction?
Most folks don’t exhibit any symptoms or telltale signs of a small-for-gestational-age fetus. You might think the fetus or your belly isn’t as big as it should be. Even if you believe you have intrauterine growth restriction, only your doctor can make that determination.
Control and Treatment of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
How Can You Treat It?
Depending on how far along in your pregnancy you are and how healthy the fetus is, your course of treatment for intrauterine growth restriction will vary. Fetal growth limitation is unfortunately not “fixable.” In addition to treating you for any underlying issues causing fetal growth restriction, your healthcare professional will regularly monitor the fetus to make sure there are no consequences.
Fetal Growth Restriction Treatments
Increased surveillance Your healthcare provider will keep a closer eye on you and the fetus, doing ultrasounds and other tests to evaluate fetal growth.
Early arrival: Early labor induction may help if the pregnancy is not progressing or the infant is in danger (before 37 weeks gestation). Vaginal deliveries can stress newborns with growth restrictions, thus sometimes a C-section is helpful.
Corticosteroid drugs: Your doctor might prescribe you medicine to aid in your baby’s lung development if induction is a savior.
Your doctor can decide to admit you to the hospital for closer monitoring in unusual or serious circumstances.
Do Babies With Development Restrictions Catch Up?
Yes, by the age of three, the majority of infants with IUGR will be the size of full-term youngsters. It’s crucial to remember that every child develops differently, so you shouldn’t try to overfeed your child. Other illnesses like obesity or diabetes could unknowingly come from this. If your baby’s growth isn’t going as planned, the pediatrician will work with you to find a solution.
What Can I Do To Promote Fetal Growth?
Although having a balanced diet during pregnancy is definitely advised, there is no certainty that consuming particular foods would raise the baby’s weight. All the nutrients you and the fetus require throughout pregnancy are in fruits, vegetables, healthy carbs, and protein. Any large dietary adjustments you make while pregnant should be with the direction of your healthcare professional.
Prevention
How To Avoid Intrauterine Growth Restriction
You can increase your risk for IUGR by using drugs, drinking alcohol, or smoking cigarettes, for example.
- Consuming a bad diet.
- Gaining too little weight while pregnant.
- What medical factors make me more likely to experience fetal growth restriction?
- If you have heart disease or excessive blood pressure, you may be more susceptible to FGR.
- Diabetes.
- Sickle cell disease or anemia.
- Other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
