WHAT TO EXPECT IF YOUR BABY IS IUGR...

NONSTRESS TEST

If your baby has a diagnosis with IUGR your doctor may prescribe for you to have 2-3 nonstress tests (NST) per week. A NST is a test to listen to the baby’s heart rate. The nurse will schedule an appointment with you. When you arrive for your test you will lie down on a bed. The nurse will put some belts around your abdomen and attach 2 monitors to your tummy. She will listen to the baby for 20-45 minutes. This test is not painful.

ULTRA SOUND

The doctor will send you to a specialist to have ultra sounds done. The doctor can look at the baby with the ultra sound machine. The doctor will measure the baby’s head, tummy, leg length, amount of water around the baby and the baby’s blood flowing through the vessels. The specialist will check the baby with the ultra sound every 1-2 weeks.

LABOUR AND DELIVERY

If your baby has a diagnosis of IUGR your doctor may want you to have the baby before your due date. He/She may want to induce you. This is when you are given some medication called oxytocin into an IV. Oxytocin is a synthetic form of the hormone your body makes to make you go into labour. The nurse will attach a monitor to your abdomen to listen to the baby’s heart rate and to watch the contractions (pains) you are having.

Sometimes when you are in labor the baby does not tolerate the labour and shows the nurses and doctors signs of distress on the monitor. Some of the signs of distress can be the baby’s heart rate dropping or your water can be green instead of clear. If your water is green this means the baby has had a bowel movement(gone potty)inside you. This is called Meconium. If these signs continue you have to have a Cesarean Section (operation) to deliver the baby. If this happens you will have to stay in the hospital for 3 days.

NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

If your baby has a diagnosis of IUGR he may have to go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This is a special nursery for sick babies. In the NICU babies are kept in an incubator or isolette. If they need oxygen it will be given into the incubator. The baby may have an intravenous (IV). The baby’s vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will be monitored by the nurses and doctors. You and your family will be able to visit your baby. You may even start breastfeeding the baby if the Pediatrician (baby doctor) says it is okay. The baby will stay in the NICU for usually 2-10 days, sometimes longer.

CHRONIC ADULT DISEASES

If your baby has a diagnosis of IUGR because of malnutrition (not eating properly) he will be born with low birth weight. Too Small and too skinny. Scientists have found that babies born too small sometimes grow up to have certain diseases. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obesity are some of the problems these babies can have when they become adults.