1. Maternal Treatment Options
Although it is the fetus that is not
growing properly with intrauterine growth testriction (IUGR), most
treatment options focus on maternal care. The first strategy is usually
to suggest bed rest because it helps improve blood flow to the uterus,
thereby improving the condition of the fetus. Your doctor will probably
not require you to be hospitalized--bed rest is just as effective at
home as in the hospital.
If your condition does not improve, your doctor might discuss more controversial treatments. Therapeutic doses of aspirin are sometimes used to treat intrauterine growth restriction, but it is questionable whether it is of any benefit. The use of fish oil and zinc supplementation has also been studied, but there is only limited evidence for these therapies.
More traditional strategies focus on improving the mother's diet and removing any risk factors for IUGR such as smoking and alcohol use. If there are health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or anemia that are causing your baby's growth problems, your doctor will want to focus on treating these conditions.
If your condition does not improve, your doctor might discuss more controversial treatments. Therapeutic doses of aspirin are sometimes used to treat intrauterine growth restriction, but it is questionable whether it is of any benefit. The use of fish oil and zinc supplementation has also been studied, but there is only limited evidence for these therapies.
More traditional strategies focus on improving the mother's diet and removing any risk factors for IUGR such as smoking and alcohol use. If there are health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or anemia that are causing your baby's growth problems, your doctor will want to focus on treating these conditions.
2. Monitoring the Baby's Growth
Aside from these limited maternal
treatment options, most of the treatment for IUGR revolves around
monitoring the pregnancy. Your baby is generally better off inside the
womb, and your doctor will aim to keep him there as long as possible. At
the same time, your doctor will want to make sure that your baby is
continuing to grow and stay healthy. Toward this end, your doctor will
use various diagnostic tools to monitor your baby's condition.
Ultrasound, Doppler flow, non-stress tests and biophysical profiles are
all common tests that will likely be used. It is also possible that your
doctor will want to measure your amniotic fluid. A decrease in the
amount of amniotic fluid could have negative consequences for the fetus.
As long as your baby is continuing to grow and show signs of health, your pregnancy will be allowed to continue to term. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the more likely it is that your doctor will want to consider the benefits of an early delivery.
As long as your baby is continuing to grow and show signs of health, your pregnancy will be allowed to continue to term. The further along you are in your pregnancy, the more likely it is that your doctor will want to consider the benefits of an early delivery.
3. When an Early Delivery Is Necessary
The purpose of all these diagnostic tools
is to determine whether an early delivery is necessary. If your doctor
has determined that the fetus is not growing or seems to have other
problems, an early delivery will likely be recommended. Generally, a
vaginal delivery is okay and labor will be induced.
Babies with intrauterine growth restriction are typically small. This is a result of both their poor growth in the womb and being delivered early. Your baby may have to stay in the hospital longer than normal while he catches up in size. You and your baby will probably be released once he reaches around 5 lbs. and can breathe and feed well on his own.
Babies with intrauterine growth restriction are typically small. This is a result of both their poor growth in the womb and being delivered early. Your baby may have to stay in the hospital longer than normal while he catches up in size. You and your baby will probably be released once he reaches around 5 lbs. and can breathe and feed well on his own.
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