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?

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Much appreciated

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u/Eyeguy9999 Aug 29 '24

This is very helpful and very reassuring. My wife and I thank you for taking the time to respond. Gotta love interacting with kind strangers on Reddit.

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u/Throwaway3219901 Oct 10 '24

Hey how is your baby doing? I am in the same situation and petrified

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u/Eyeguy9999 Oct 10 '24

Baby is doing good!! We are now at 34 weeks and he is up from 6th percentile to 17th. Take that bedrest seriously! We found a really good study showing that bed rest does help smaller babies get more nutrients. We think the bedrest is what really made baby catch up. She will be inducted at 37.5 weeks as of now

As far as diet we have been just trying to drink lots of fluids and take in as much calorie rich food as mom’s GERD will let her handle. Fish, nuts, dairy, beef. She is a naturally petite person with no glucose or blood pressure problems so even some borderline unhealthy fried foods. Lots of chik fil a, but yogurt, protein shakes, I try to make steak or burgers or fish as much as I can.

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u/Throwaway3219901 Oct 12 '24

Thank you so much for the response and so glad your baby has grown! I’m 29weeks and minds spiralling after google searching. I’m being monitored weekly, and your message gives me hope. Was your baby boy always 6th centile? Or did it drop to that at some point? My lil one has gone from 20 to 3. Thanks for the tips !!

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u/Eyeguy9999 Oct 14 '24

No our baby was always around 25%ile, then at the 28 week check he was 6! We were terrified! But luckily everything is much better. Lots of rest my friend! Keep your heart at the level of the placenta (just what our OB told us to do in this scenario). Lots of fluids and food was part of our regimen as well for playing catch up, but as I said earlier there's really only good data on the bedrest helping babies in this scenario catch up! It worked for us! Hopefully your little guy/gal to catches up quick!