by Shirley Rozankowski

Created on: June 05, 2009   Last Updated: June 09, 2009

Looking at your husband, wife, neighbor, teacher, and friends every one is different. Not all babies born smaller than usual are that way from intrauterine growth restriction. Some babies are small. It could be genetic, if the babies parents are small in stature or were small at birth. Only about 1/3 of smaller babies are small due to IUGR. Reasons for IUGR are plenty. Many women may feel that they could cause IUGR, but most likely you cannot do anything to control this except for being as healthy as possible. If you smoke, drink alcohol, or abuse drugs it could cause IUGR. Your doctor will perform ultrasounds and measure your unborn baby's legs, abdomen, and head do determine the size of your baby. If the fetus is small the doctor may perform ultrasounds more often than normal.

Other things out of the woman's control could be placenta previa, multiple births, birth defects or infections. Babies born early may have some problems including low apgar scores, low oxygen levels, hypoglycemia, or difficulty maintaining body temperatures.

Many women may feel as though they would have to give birth early due to IUGR however if your baby is growing and gaining weight with no other problems this may not be necessary. Other ways to help the fetus and women besides delivering the baby early include better nutrition and bed rest.

Women put a lot of faith in their ob gyn that they have the proper education and experience to deliver their child. As the pregnancy progresses women with concerns should present this to their doctor. Either the doctor will do tests to assure the new mother or they will let them know nothing is wrong from prior experience. Although the babies resulting from IUGR may be born small they should catch up in height and weight by age 2. If a baby is born out of IUGR they may have to stay in the hospital longer as do all smaller babies. Usually babies born very small will have to stay in the hospital until they are 5lbs, as well as eating and breathing normally.

As some women may realize that everyone is different in shape, size and color they may have natural concerns of IUGR if thier baby is smaller in size. If women have these concerns they may need to consult thier doctors privately and as soon as possible. If a women has diabetes, kidney disaese, anemia, heart or respiratory disease they should consult thier physician before trying to concieve. If any pregnant woman with any type of concerns needs assistance or any advice, they could always call the maternity ward at thier local hospital if they don't yet have their own doctor.

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