What Kind of Tests for Baby and Womb Measuring Too Small

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Information from Your Family unit Doctor

IUGR—Why Is My Baby Small and What Can Exist Done Nearly It?

Am Fam Dr.. 1998 Oct 15;58(6):1393-1394.

  See related article on intrauterine growth retardation.

What is IUGR?

IUGR stands for intrauterine growth retardation. This means that your baby is growing slowly and doesn't weigh as much as your doctor expected for this stage of pregnancy. If your unborn babe weighs less than about babies at this stage, your babe might have IUGR. IUGR is as well used to depict a baby who weighs less at birth than virtually babies at the same stage. For babies who are born well-nigh their due engagement (significant, they aren't premature), the dangerous weight is annihilation less than v pounds, 8 ounces.

Your medico might suspect IUGR if he or she thinks your baby is growing slightly less than would exist expected. IUGR is commonly diagnosed during an ultrasound examination. Doctors nigh ofttimes find it during the 6th, the 7th or the eighth months of pregnancy.

It's of import to know that IUGR but means slowed growing. These small babies aren't mentally slow or retarded. Virtually pocket-size babies grow up to exist salubrious children and adults.

Why is my babe small?

Doctors know many of the causes of IUGR simply are just able to be sure about the cause in virtually one half of babies who take IUGR. The most common reasons for a baby to be small are the following:

• The mother smoked cigarettes during pregnancy.

• The mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

• The mother had high blood pressure during pregnancy.

• The female parent had infections during pregnancy.

• The baby has chromosomal abnormalities (like Down syndrome).

• The mother used certain medicines during pregnancy.

• The mother is small (less than 5 feet alpine or weighing less than 110 pounds).

Why is my babe'southward size important?

The best predictor of a baby'due south survival and skillful health is its nascence weight. Babies born with low birth weight might have problems well-nigh the fourth dimension of birth. Because of the danger of some of these bug—such as difficulty property a normal body temperature or fighting infection—your doctor will do some tests to notice out if your baby is growing well, both earlier and after nativity.

What tests might exist done on my baby?

Ii tests can detect out if your baby has IUGR and keep track of your baby's growth in the womb. These tests are the ultrasound exam and the nonstress test. The first kind of test, the ultrasound examination, is used to discover out if your baby has IUGR. This examination is done every 3 to four weeks to brand sure your babe is still growing right. The ultrasound exams permit your doctor await at your baby'southward internal organs and measure the amount of fluid around the baby.

Special ultrasound exams are called biophysical profiles. During a biophysical contour, the person who does the exam will also watch your baby's breathing, muscle tone and movements.

The other test is the nonstress examination. This test is usually done in the doctor's office, merely it might be done in a hospital. A nonstress test measures how fast your baby's middle is beating. A healthy baby normally has a heartbeat that gets faster as the infant moves effectually. A nonstress test takes about 20 to 30 minutes to do. It might take longer if your infant is asleep.

Sometimes your medico wants to sentinel your infant'due south heartbeat while your uterus contracts (squeezes together). This is chosen a contraction stress exam. There are 2 means to aid yous have contractions for just a little while. Starting time, your nipples will be warmed upward. Sometimes this makes your uterus commencement contracting for a little while. If that doesn't work, yous could accept a special medicine (either oxytocin or pitocin), to make your uterus contract just for a little while.

What happens if a test isn't normal?

If ane of the tests isn't normal, your doctor may desire to do other tests. Your doctor may likewise try to starting time your labor early on (induce labor) if you might have a problem.

What volition the dr. do to aid my baby?

If your infant is very small when it's born, your doc can requite information technology oxygen through a nose tube, fluids through a tube in a vein and, sometimes, antibiotics.

What can I exercise to assistance my baby?

You can do five important things to help your baby abound big enough earlier information technology's built-in:

1. If you smoke—quit at present. Cigarettes hurt the placenta, which is your baby'southward only style to become "food." Information technology's never too late to quit smoking. Babies gain 1 half of their weight in the last three months earlier beingness born.

2. If you drink alcohol—quit at present. Fifty-fifty ane drinkable a day makes it more likely that y'all will have a modest baby. Yous could even take a baby with brain damage caused by the booze. This tin can happen in all months of pregnancy.

3. If y'all use illegal drugs—quit at present. Almost all illegal drugs brand babies too modest to exist strong and salubrious. Y'all may demand your doctor'due south help to quit then you don't have withdrawal problems.

4. Eat a skilful nutrition. Ask your doctor to tell yous the best foods to eat.

5. Keep all your appointments for doctor visits and tests.

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This handout is provided to you by your family doctor and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Other health-related information is available from the AAFP online at http://familydoctor.org.

This data provides a general overview and may not apply to anybody. Talk to your family unit medico to find out if this data applies to you and to get more than information on this subject.

Copyright © 1998 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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