IUGR

I had my growth scan yesterday and my baby girl is measuring about a week behind at only 2.5lbs at 29w5d. That’s less than the 4th percentile, and we have officially been diagnosed with IUGR. Other than the low weight, everything else looks normal. 

I have been incredibly sad about this, even after talking to my OB, who seems fairly confident that everything will be ok. She wants me to have twice weekly non-stress tests where they will measure the baby’s heart rate and check my amniotic fluid levels. I start this on Monday as I am currently on a plane to Colorado for one of my husbands best friends weddings.

As of my scan yesterday, my fluid levels are normal and the blood flow from the placenta through the cord to the baby looks normal. So the most likely cause of the IUGR is my unicornuate uterus. I wonder if my uterus will continue to grow or if we have reached our maximum size. I will also have a more detailed growth scan this upcoming Wednesday with a maternal-fetal medicine Doctor to double check the baby. Then I think I get followed up there in addition to my OB. I will have more answers on Wednesday.

My husband is my rock, he is so optimistic that everything will be fine, and she’ll just be small. I’m so lucky that he thinks that way. On the other hand, I am trying to stay calm and positive, as I know what IUGR looks like in premature and term babies. I am really hoping to avoid a NICU stay, but even if we can make it close to term, we may be stuck in the NICU anyway so she can gain weight, we know she can maintain her temperature and breathe correctly. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, and my job can be a curse. But at least I’m prepared for what the NICU entails (although it’ll be so strange to be on the patient/parent side).

I am so sad that my body can’t grow my baby correctly. While I know I did nothing to cause this, it’s still hard not to feel incredibly guilty. My poor baby did nothing to deserve this and I am so sorry to be putting her through this. I really hope she continues to grow and develop inside me and there are no lasting long term problems from the IUGR.

She is always moving and reminding me she’s there and I am so grateful for that. I never thought I would get the opportunity to be pregnant and now I am almost 30 weeks. It’s amazing how you can love something so much that you haven’t ever met.

On the ultrasound you could see little tufts of hair on the back of her head. She was also super stubborn like her Daddy and wouldn’t move into a position where we could get a full profile shot. She’s super deep in my pelvis (head down) and my hip was in the way. But we got a cute picture of her. She seems to have a small nose and big lips (those are probably from me). I can’t wait to meet her, and I hope I have the opportunity to be her Mommy for a long time.