IUGR and weght estimates?

Hi. My name is Shawna. We were diagnosed with IUGR at about 22 weeks - I'm now just over 27 weeks. Ours, so far, is unexplained. Within the next couple weeks they will start doing stress tests and doppler ultrasounds.
Anyways, just wondering how accurate the ultrasound measurements are? At our 19 week gender ultrasound, our baby girl was measuring 2 weeks behind. Then at our 24.5 week ultrasound, she was an additional 4 days behind. At that same ultrasound, they estimated her weight to be just over a pound. Now, at our, almost, 27 weeks ultrasound, she's about a pound and a half - but hasn't fallen any further behind, for once. To which we were pretty excited about. =)
Also, have many of you made it to term with your wee babies? From what I've read, most don't make it as the baby just stop growing or it's decided that the baby would be better on the outside!?
We feel good that we've made it this far - but pray we make it til the end of March at least - which would put me at 36 weeks <-- Is that just wishful thinking? hehehe

Any info would be GREAT!! We've fought so hard just to get her in the first place; almost 3 years trying, 3 IUI's, 2 IVF's and $25,000 - and now we have to fight IUGR to top it off - when it rains, it pours hehehe

Thanks!!

By EJandMAsMommy
Reply 714662
January 24, 2010 at 7:39 pm
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Hi! My 24-weeker had IUGR, but it was because of my blood-pressure. He was delivered at 24w1d due to HELLP syndrome.

At our 21 week ultrasound, he measured a couple of days behind. When I was in the hospital on bedrest the week I delivered, the ultrasound two days before his birthday put him at 1 lb., 4 ounces. He ended up only being 13.9 ounces.

As far as IUGR babies where the mother has no complications, I understand that most don't go to term because of the risk to baby. But, since my situation involved having to deliver to save BOTH of us, I can't give the best info as far as your chances of making it to term.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, also! Sounds like a long, hard road... but it's so worth it! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts, and good luck!

Heather

By Henrysmom
Reply 714687
January 24, 2010 at 8:03 pm
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From the research I've done, the circumstances and stories behind most IUGR babies differ so much its really hard to compare one to another. Here's our story: our 19wk ultrasound looked good... no issues at all other than I had a low lying placenta. At 30wks we had another ultrasound to check the placement of the placenta. That's when we found out that Henry had a two-vessel cord (instead of 3-vessels) and that he was measuring 5wks behind - so probably about the size of your baby now. Within the wk, I developed pre-eclampsia. They admitted me to the hospital and we delivered at 31wks 3day b/c Henry wasn't getting good bloodflow across the placenta. I can't remember exactly what they estimated his weight to be, but I do remember they were very close. He actually weighted 730g (1lb 10oz).

Have they told you whether or not they believe she is asymetrical, or "head sparing?" That is good b/c it means that she is using most of her nutrients for head growth, which is the most important. Also remember, when she is delivered, she should "act" more like her gestational age instead of her size b/c her development should have continued despite her size. However, I believe most people whose stories I've read, their IUGR babies usually act their gestational age for most things but there always seems to be something where they act more their size.

Hope this helps! I'll be praying that your little girl makes it a few more weeks!

By Angel13008
Reply 714693
January 24, 2010 at 8:08 pm
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Congrats on your baby girl . I m sorry you had so a long journey just to get this far. First would like to stay ultrasounds can be off . My first daughter at 27 wks mearused 2 lbs 8 oz and then delivered at 29 wks she seighted 2 lbs 13 oz that one was accurate . Day before I deliverd my 33 weeker she was measured to be 5 lbs 5 oz but actually was 4 lbs 9.5 oz . hopefully in your case the measurement are wrong and you have big healthy baby cooking inside . Keep us updated !!!!

By SpeasHill
Reply 714702
January 24, 2010 at 8:11 pm
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Hi there!

My daughter was born at 27.6, weighing 13 ounces (370 grams). Her last ultrasound put her at 400 grams, so it was a little generous.

Initially, my IUGR was unexplained, too (except that it must have something to do with the placenta, which I think is the assessment for just about all IUGR, whether there is an underlying explanation for the placental issues or not). We were first diagnosed with IUGR at 17 weeks (2 weeks behind), though our initial 8-week ultra moved our due date back 4 days, so my hunch is that she was already having trouble then. Eventually, we saw reversed-end diastolic flow through the umbilical cord (think that's what it's called - it was the worst kind) in the Doppler ultrasounds, but they decided she was too small to chance delivery. A week later, I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and hospitalized (with new doctors - we moved to a new state in the process); a week after that, I developed HELLP syndrome. We delivered immediately. Looking back, the doctors attribute it all to the pre-eclampsia, which they say began very early on, affecting her before it affected me. These are docs at a major research university who are studying pre-e, so while my old doctors never mentioned it, I think these new doctors are probably right. Might be worth mentioning to your OB.

The good news is that Becca is doing great (trying to steal my computer, in fact!). She spent 4 months in the NICU and came home without oxygen or monitors. IUGR babies do have more challenges than their full-size counterparts, but they also tend to have an easier road than the younger babies who are the same size; gestational age is a much better predictor of outcome than size. Keep hoping and rest assured that your little one's organs are maturing even if she does stop growing! Good luck!

By oquinn27
Reply 714707
January 24, 2010 at 8:15 pm
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My son's ultrasound the day before delivery showed him to weigh 1 lb 3 oz. When he was born, he weighed 1 lb 7oz. That doesn't seem like a big difference, but when their that small every ounce counts.

By Florizels_Mom (Inactive)
Reply 714735
January 24, 2010 at 8:37 pm
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At our ultrasounds we were told it could be off by 10% in either direction. After delivery we found it was off by 25% and NOT in the direction we had hoped. 26 weeks, 370 grams. Like SpeasHill we delivered after they saw reversed flow. Once flow is reversed, the baby can die quickly:
http://csfinnerty.wordpress.com/

By Florizels_Mom (Inactive)
Reply 714748 · In reply to 714702 by SpeasHill
January 24, 2010 at 8:47 pm
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Have you heard the theory that the preeclampsia was caused by distress signals from the baby- who had not been growing for some time - rather than the other way around? I know it's just one theory out of many but this one made more sense to me for our case...

By Bella16
Reply 714773
January 24, 2010 at 9:05 pm
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Wow, thanks for all the stories n comments.

Our daughter is actually symmetrical in her growth - but without any signs of chromosomal abnormalities or anything. They keep commenting that if it weren't for the fact that we absolutely can't be wrong on my dates (as we did IVF with ICSI) they'd just say that she was tiny for no reason. =)

Frustrating - at our last ultrasound/specialist appt on Thursday, because the baby hadn't lost anymore days and seemed to be growing fine (for now) the Dr was pleased and was not worried about her. Must be nice to be her - I worry about her daily.

Not much we can do but hope she continues to grow and stay in there as long as possible...

By stephgonea
Reply 716263
January 25, 2010 at 8:33 pm
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I had twins and delivered at 26/6 because one of mine had IUGR and reversed-end diastolic flow as well. I had trouble from 13 weeks on and most doctors didn't think I would see either of my babies alive.
I checked into a hospital at 24 weeks because my twins were in the same sac and I was high risk. I got ultrasounds every day and the size was pretty accurate for both my babies. One thing I will mention- I contacted Dr. DeLia, a doctor who has a tremendous amount of experience in twin to twin transfusion (some doctors thought I had this initially but later found out one baby was IUGR). He said to lay on my left side because the babies will receive better blood flow and to sip BOOST drinks (these can be purchased in the grocery store) throughout the day so the baby gets a constant supply of protein.
Many doctors told me I wouldn't make it to 24 weeks but I stayed on bedrest as much as possible.
My girls are three now and small for their age.
Good luck and hang in there

By tantaj23
Reply 716377
January 25, 2010 at 9:37 pm
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Hi, Everyone here has done a pretty good job filling you in. I had Noah at 29 weeks, he was 490 grams/ 1lb 1oz. He was in the NICU for 3 months but he came home without o2, feeding well. He's a year old in 5 weeks and just about caught up to average wt ht and head circumfurence for his adjusted age. He's is meeting all his milestones ahead of time and is a pleasure to be around. If you have to deliver early, please be brave and have faith. That is what it took to get Noah home safe. IUGR babies are small but because they are in distress in the womb they mature quickly in there. They are little fighters. Good Luck, I'm saying a little prayer for you.

By nightshadegirl
Reply 716425
January 25, 2010 at 10:12 pm
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I am virtually living the same story. We went thru 3ivf cycles to get pregnant. My quad screening came baack with 3 of 4 hormones not correct. We had the amnio to make sure it wasn't a chromosomal thing but were told IUGR could bcome an issue since our son was measuring at 10%.
We watched to make sure as growing. Two months later at his 26 week ultasound, he fell to 3%. plus we did a heart ecko on him for being an ICSI baby. No heart problems but noticed problems with how my placenta was working. Our little guy was starting to starve in there. The high risk doc admitted me into the hopsital Asap and I was on bed rest for another weeks trying to allow his lungs to mature with steroid shots and 24 hour monitoring. We got an extra week which made him 27.5 weeks ga. The docs didn't want to stress him out more and felt he'd be safer out side since his heart started decelerating a few time a day.
We scheduled the c- sec for latr that day so they could carefully take him out. he was 1lbs. 10 oz. And 12 inches long. Poor guy wasn't growig anymore inside me.
We are now 4 days later in the NICU andstable. He's on an oscillator to not be too harsh on his lungs. He's tiny and definitely not out of the woods. Were glad we took the cautious route and didn't push it. He would have gotten weaker.
I know it feels unfair but we are thrilled to have met him and touch him and talk to him. He has a chance now. I can't be selfish about wanting him in me. He has allowed us to forever become members of the parenthood club. I can't imagine what I'd feel if we went to an appt and heard no heartbeat. I have no regrets.
I pray for all little babies that need help.

By Bella16
Reply 718064
January 26, 2010 at 10:24 pm
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Ladies, thanks so much again for all your stories and words of advice. They mean a lot - especially coming from people who have 'been there, done that'.

Has anyone heard of anyone being diagnosed with IUGR, only for the baby to stop falling behind and continue growing as they should? I only ask because we were diagnosed a couple weeks before Christmas, and as of our last appt, she hadn't fallen any further behind - she was growing just fine. As of now, she's about 2 weeks and 4 days behind, weighing in at 1.5 pounds at week 27 (which is almost a pound less than an average baby at that gestation).

I don't mind having a small baby - I just don't want to have her too early - that terrifies me!! =)

nightshadegirl - sorry you went through so much, then to be diagnosed with IUGR too - what a bummer - I totally understand though.

16 sleeps til we get to see her again - NOT that I'm counting hehehe

I've also decided that if she's any further behind at our next appt, that that will be my last day of work, I'll go on medical EI, then mat leave. =)

PS - Ever since we were diagnosed, we've given her a nickname: Tinkerbell!!

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