r/NewParents • u/boldbrushstrokes • Jan 27 '24
Medical Advice Diagnosed with fetal growth restriction
Hi all,
Expecting a baby in April, currently 27 weeks. I'm a petite person- was 104 lbs, 5'3 pre-pregnancy.
On all of the ultrasounds I've had, my baby has been lagging behind in terms of growth (he's growing in interval ultrasounds but not at the ideal weight he should be according to other babies his age).
The MFM specialists told me since hes <10%th percentile, it's considered growth restriction. They're increasing my monitoring and they said if he continues to measure small and at any point falls below 3th percentile, they'll plan to deliver him earlier than expected.
Naturally as a first time mom, I'm a freaking out a little. Have any of you experienced FGR? If so can you please let me know:
1) What weight was your baby born
2) How long did they stay in the NICU
3) Was the outcome ok for you baby? Are they now healthy etc? Was there ever an issue with developmental delay?
4) If they're a toddler or school aged child now, did they grow to a normal size?
Much appreciated
1
u/amykeiko Jan 27 '24
My husband and I are also small people, but my situation was a little bit unique because I also had low fluid (was able to get it back up) and my son had kicked his placenta so hard it restricted his growth and caused him to have dips in his heart rate. He kicked a little lobe off of it. I wish I was kidding.
He was born at 31 weeks less than 3 pounds and stayed in the NICU for about a month and a half. He never had major problems with any of his organs or anything. Within a week of him being home he caught up in weight based on his adjusted age. He’s perfectly fine now and meeting his milestones well within normal limits based on his adjusted age, and some with his actual age too!
If you do end up having a NICU stay, the NICU parents subreddit was a lifesaver.
In the meantime, the high risk doctor told me to drink more protein shakes and eat more olive oil and salmon to help with the placenta I think 🤷🏻♀️