IUGR and delivering at 36 weeks....either one you can give advice on, please do?

Question

The doctor thinks my baby has IUGR and will deliver at 36 weeks if we do not see a signifigant (sp sorry) change. I am 34 weeks and the baby weighs 4 lbs and 5 oz. Any advice?

Answer 1

It's easy for someone else to say don't worry, but don't let yourself get too worried. The reason I say this is because weeks gestation is more important than weight. The weight your baby is at now is very good for IUGR. My first daughter (IUGR) was born at 36 weeks and only weighed 4lbs 10oz. She was just fine...didn't even need to go to the NICU. My second daughter was born at 37 weeks (considered by some to be full term) and weighed 5lb 15oz but had to be resusitated (sp?), put on a ventilator and spent a week in the NICU because her lungs were not developed enough. Each baby is different but 34 weeks is sort of a magic turning point in a pregnancy. Survival of the baby reaches the highest percentages after 34 weeks. It is likely your baby will get jaundiced because smaller babies have a harder time relying on their own liver. This is no big deal as long as it is treated. Like the previous post said, try to deliver at a level 3 hospital and then no matter what happens, they can take good care of your baby. Part of your consideration should be what is causing the IUGR. If it is preeclampsia, consider your own health and don't wait too long for delivery. Also don't wait too long if it is a clotting factor problem in the placenta. This happened to a friend of mine who had a 2lb 8oz baby at 32 weeks. He is nearly a year now and weighs more than my 17month old and is as bright as they come. Make sure you are eating as much as you can and lying down on your left side as much as possible. The way your blood vessels run in your body causes the best circulation to the placenta when you are on your left side. Another trick to improving circulation to the placent (equals more nutrition to the baby) is hydrotherapy which does not have to be done in the hospital. Immerse yourself in water not over 99 degrees up to the neck for 60 minutes a day or 30 minutes twice a day. This pushes fluid out of the tissues and back into the blood vessels for better circulation. Also you can use epsom salts in a bath. The magnesium is good if you have high blood pressure or swelling. Good luck!

Answer 2

Make sure you deliver at a hospital with at least a level 2 nursery. Level 3 is even better. Get your OB's advice on whether to take Celestone or similar steroid to improve newborn lung maturity.

If you smoke, stop.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

you are in our prayers. Keep faith and think positive.