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Fetal Growth Restriction or FGR may be a new term to you, but at least 10% of pregnant women are diagnosed with this condition. Also known as Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), this is a condition where the baby or fetus is not growing at the rate that it should. And this can happen even if the carrier is well nourished, healthy, taking additional vitamins and is young and able bodied. This diagnosis can be overwhelming and scary, especially because FGR has varied causes and outcomes, but it doesn’t mean that your baby isn’t going to be healthy. So, take a deep breath and allow us to guide you through what a fetal growth restriction diagnosis can mean for your pregnancy, and how to deal with it.
What Is Fetal Growth Restriction?
FGR指胎儿不增长the expected rate during the gestation period. This is observed when the fetus has a weight or an abdominal circumference less than the 10th percentile for the gestation period. This may sound alarming but it is relatively common. However, it is a condition that is rarely discussed by society at large. One needs to understand that the problem may not be in having a small baby. Some babies are just naturally smaller than others. About 20% of fetuses that have been diagnosed with FGR are constitutionally smaller fetuses who are healthy at birth and grow up normally. But the condition can point to some issues in the anatomy of some fetuses.
It’s also important to note that this condition can have an early or late onset. It can manifest symmetrically where all the features of the fetus are small in size or asymmetrically where some parts of the fetus are smaller than others. And the degree at which this condition can affect your baby can vary from mild to severe. So, FGR is a complex problem with many cases that vary drastically from one another.
为你的怀孕FGR是什么意思?
When a woman is diagnosed with FGR several risks will be outlined to her. Usually, there is a higher risk of miscarriages happening during these pregnancies. The baby could also be born with several disabilities. Fetal Growth Resistance has also been linked to several other complications like perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is also an increased risk of low birth weight, decreased levels of oxygen in the fetus’s system, complications during labor, a higher risk of infections, breathing problems and low blood sugar.
In addition, some studies suggest that FGR could potentially lead to cognitive developmental issues, or ongoing growth restrictions on the infant. Although this can be disheartening and scary to hear, it is important to remember that the diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean that your baby will experience all of these issues. It can simply be an indicator of what to look out for. Each case of FGR is different and favorable outcomes are possible. Your child may have a disability but they may also be completely healthy and normal. So keep your spirits up and follow the instructions of your obstetrician and Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist to see you through your pregnancy.
FGR Pregnancy Symptoms
Fetal Growth Resistance is generally diagnosed after the 20 week pregnancy scan done by a healthcare provider. It is done by measuring the fundal height, that is, the distance from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. In other words, it is the height measurement of your baby bump! After your 20th week of pregnancy, your fundal height should be the same as your weeks of pregnancy. So, for example, if you were 25 weeks pregnant, then your fundal height must be around 25 centimeters in length. Usually there are no physical symptoms that indicate that you have FGR other than perhaps a smaller bump. But that is not always indicative of the condition. So there’s a good chance that prior to your 20 week scan, you may not have a clue as to the fact that your baby’s growth rate is compromised.
FGR Treatment
Women who carry fetuses diagnosed with FGR will be referred to a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. Their job is to work out what caused the FGR and what impact it might have on the infant or could potentially have on the child in the future. But no matter what the cause may be, your fetus will be carefully observed by health professionals for the reminder of your pregnancy. Prenatal investigations might include fetal monitoring in order to measure the growth as well to track the fetus’s heart rate and blood flow. This is done to determine and rule out genetic causes. Parental tests can also be taken in order to assess the blood pressure of a birthing parent as this can have an affect on the baby. In some cases, even with regular check-ups, specialists will decide an FGR baby will thrive better on the outside, where the environment for the baby will be less hostile.
Getting diagnosed with FGR may be jarring and overwhelming but it doesn’t mean that your infant can’t be just as healthy as any other. So, make sure you are regular to your check ups and rest well!
Sources
- SMFM Consult Series #52: Diagnosis and Management of Fetal Growth Restriction, Society For Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Association of Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Small for Gestational Age Status With Childhood Cognitive Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, NCBI
- Fetal Growth Restriction, NCBI
