Baby Stomach Size in Ultrasound Smaller Than It Should Be

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Intrauterine Growth Restriction: When Your Baby Stops Growing Earlier Birth

Am Fam Physician. 1998 Aug 1;58(2):466-467.

Run into related article on intrauterine growth restriction.

What is intrauterine growth restriction?

Intrauterine growth restriction ("IUGR," for short) is a term for a babe who is smaller than normal during pregnancy. The baby is not growing inside the uterus at the normal rate. These babies usually have a depression weight at birth.

What causes IUGR?

IUGR has various causes. The near common cause is a trouble in the placenta (the tissue that carries food and blood to the baby). Birth defects and genetic disorders tin cause IUGR. If the mother has an infection, loftier claret pressure, is smoking, or drinking too much alcohol or abusing drugs, her babe might have IUGR. Sometimes a prescribed medicine that the female parent is taking causes IUGR.

Did I crusade this trouble?

Most of the causes of IUGR are beyond your control. Normally, nothing the female parent did causes IUGR in her baby. But if you smoke cigarettes, drinkable alcohol or abuse drugs, you can crusade IUGR in your baby.

Do all pocket-size babies take IUGR?

No. About one third of the babies who are small at birth have IUGR. The rest of them don't have IUGR—they're just smaller than normal. Just like there are dissimilar sizes of infants, children and adults, there are also different sizes of babies in the uterus. Small babies tend to run in families. The parents or other children in the family may have been pocket-size when they were born, too.

How volition I know if my babe is just small or has IUGR?

During your pregnancy, your doctor will do tests to observe out if your baby is growing normally. The main examination for checking a baby's growth in the uterus is an ultrasound. The ultrasound exam lets your dr. see your baby in your uterus with an instrument that is moved beyond your abdomen (abdomen).

When the ultrasound exam is done, your physician will measure the size of your baby's head, abdomen and legs. These measurements will tell you lot and your doctor if your baby is growing normally. Your dr. will as well find out the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus. In some babies with growth restriction, the corporeality of amniotic fluid is depression. If your baby is small, ultrasound exams may exist done more than frequently than usual to cheque your baby'south health.

Are there other tests I might have?

I test is fetal monitoring. It'south a way to bank check your babe's wellness inside your womb. Straps are put over your uterus as you prevarication downward for nigh 30 minutes. You will hear your baby'southward heart beat out equally information technology is recorded. Your doctor tin expect at the heartbeat recording and encounter if your baby's heartbeat is normal.

Yous might also take an amniocentesis. A needle is put through your stomach area into your uterus. A few teaspoons of amniotic fluid are withdrawn in the needle. The fluid is tested to see if it shows the cause of the IUGR. The amniotic fluid might show genetic problems or infection.

If my infant has IUGR, will I have to requite birth early on?

Possibly non. The time of commitment depends on how well your infant is doing. Sometimes, babies with IUGR keep on growing in the uterus. If your baby keeps gaining some weight, an early commitment (before the due appointment) may not be needed. But if your babe is not growing at all or has other problems, your medico may determine that an early delivery could help. In this instance, your md may want to induce labor. Your baby's heart rate and movements will be closely watched to aid you and your physician make this determination.

Will I demand to have a cesarean section?

If there are no signs of problems with your baby during labor, a vaginal commitment is OK. Some babies with IUGR are weak. The stress of labor and delivery may be as well much for a weak baby. If your babe has problems during labor, a cesarean section (as well chosen a C department) may be safer.

If I have some other baby, volition that baby besides have IUGR?

Generally, no. IUGR usually doesn't occur in another pregnancy. But in some women, it does happen once again. Women who have another pregnancy affected by IUGR usually take an illness, such every bit hypertension, that causes IUGR. Good control of illnesses earlier and during pregnancy lowers the take a chance of having another babe with IUGR.

Will my baby need to stay in the hospital longer than usual?

Probably, specially if your baby was born early. Babies who are small at birth demand to stay in the hospital until they can breathe and feed commonly. After your infant is born, the doctor will check your baby'due south weight to brand sure the baby is growing. Generally, babies stay in the hospital until they weigh about v pounds.

Will my baby grow up to be normal in height?

Yes. Your babe will probably catch up in size and have a normal height past about ii years of age.

What can I practise to assistance my baby while I'chiliad significant?

The best style to help your baby is to pay attending to your babe'south movements. Make sure your infant is moving every day. A baby who moves around often is usually healthy. A infant who doesn't move very oft or who stops moving may be sick. If you notice your infant isn't moving as much, call your physician.

Another way y'all can assistance your baby is to become a lot of rest. Rest may help you feel amend. Information technology may even help your baby grow. Try to become eight hours of sleep (or more) each night. An hour or two of rest in the afternoon is also expert for you lot. Your doctor may fifty-fifty desire you to become to the hospital to brand certain you balance. The infirmary staff will keep a close eye on you and your baby.

Finally, if y'all smoke, drink alcohol or utilise drugs, stop now. These things can hurt your baby. This may be all that is needed to amend your baby'southward wellness, likewise every bit your own.

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This data provides a general overview and may not employ to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more than information on this subject.

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