Complications - high risk

Intra Uterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

There are certain risk factors associated with slower than normal growth, which include:

In the mom

• Smoking
• Excessive drinking of alcohol
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes mellitus (which can effect blood vessels)
• Abnormal blood supply to the fetus
• Infection during pregnancy
• Abnormally shaped uterus
• Certain drug use during pregnancy (like blood thinners, seizure medications or abuse drugs like cocaine)
• Small-framed mother (less than 5 feet and weighing less than 110 pounds)

In the baby

• Multiple gestations (twins or more)
• Certain genetic abnormalities
• Placental problems which restrict oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus
• Umbilical cord defects – decreased blood supply traveling from the placenta to the fetus

Initial treatment for this condition is to adjust the changeable risk factors like poor diet, infection, smoking and alcohol abuse. Bed rest or reduced activity is often recommended so that the baby has the maximum benefit of the mother’s blood supply. Regular check-ups will be done to evaluate the fetus’ growth by ultrasound and fetal monitoring. If the fetus is showing continued signs of growth, then things are going well. When slow growth continues, it may be that the fetus isn’t getting what it needs from the mother’s circulation - further evaluation needs to be done. Sometimes, delivering the baby early is considered.