Location:
Call: 040 7123 7123
[email protected]

27 December, 2018

Diagnosis and Causes of Slow Fetal Growth

Slow fetal growth is also known as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which refers to a condition signifying the slow growth of a baby during pregnancy. Even after taking proper care, your fetus may grow slowly. In this case, the baby is smaller than the average size at that stage of your pregnancy. Here’s what you should know about slow fetal growth:

Types of Intrauterine Growth Restrictions

There are mainly two types of intrauterine growth restrictions occurring during pregnancy.

  1. Symmetrical or primary IUGR: The baby has a symmetrical body in proportion with the internal organs, but is smaller than the size of a normal baby at that age.
  2. Asymmetrical or secondary IUGR: The baby has a normal head and brain, but a smaller body for that gestational age. This is usually not evident until the third trimester.

Causes of Slow Fetal Growth

Various factors such as maternal, fetal and placental can be the reason behind slow fetal growth. These are some of the issues that can cause IUGR:

  1. Preeclampsia: Increase in blood pressure can compress the veins, which restrict the flow of blood to the placenta. This cuts down the supply of oxygen and supplements to the fetus, leading to slow fetal growth.
  2. Multiple Pregnancies: In certain cases of multiple pregnancies, slow fetal development is caused due to the inefficiency of the placenta to meet the nutritional demands of multiple babies.
  3. Infections: Any infection transferred from the mother during pregnancy can lead to slow fetal growth.
  4. Low level of amniotic fluid: Less than sufficient amniotic fluid in the sac can lead to fetal growth restrictions.

Your doctor will measure the fetal growth regularly during your check-ups in order to take timely action in case the growth is slow.

Diagnosis

The fetal size can be estimated by measuring the fundal height. However, other procedures can also be used. These include:

  1. Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the baby’s structure, and also measures its head and abdomen.
  2. Doppler flow: This technique is used to measure the speed and amount of blood flow into the blood vessels of the fetal brain and the umbilical cord, using sound waves.
  3. Weight check: This also helps to estimate the fetal growth. Doctors will check and record the mother’s weight during prenatal visits. If the weight gain is not appropriate, it may indicate slow fetal growth.

Slow fetal growth can be managed through regular checkups and adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Ways to Prevent Slow Fetal Growth

You can reduce the risk of IUGR in the following ways:

  • Eat healthy foods that provide the right nourishment to your baby.
  • Limit your caffeine intake.
  • Check with your doctor about medications that you are taking that can cause IUGR.
  • Get enough rest and keep stress at bay.
  • Try to get at least eight hours of sleep every day.
  • Stay fit by exercising.

You may not always be in control of slow fetal growth. However, certain things and lifestyle habits can help prevent IUGR. Our doctors at KIMS Cuddles can help you follow the right treatment to ensure your baby is growing well.

*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.

SIMILAR ARTICLES

blog featured image

20 November, 2021

5 easy ways to reduce stress during pregnancy

No matter how happy you are about your pregnancy, stress during the pregnancy phase is unavoidable. Most of the time, it is because of the hormones that play around. But there are a lot of other factors that account to stress. Managing stress during pregnancy is an efficient way to enjoy your pregnancy period.  Knowing the changes and accepting them happening to your body will help you best during this phase. However, know more efficient ways to reduce stress during pregnancy.  Here are the 5 easy ways to reduce stress during pregnancy.  Eat well and sleep well must be a routine  Nothing can replace the best benefits of proper food and sound sleep. Ensure that you follow a balanced diet with all the necessary supplements that your body needs and take enough rest. A night of proper sleep will make your day brighter and keep you comparatively in a cheerful mood. Rest when you are tired. Do not overdo during pregnancy. A perfect routine for food and sleep will ease up your hormones.  Surround yourself with positive energy. Talk to your friends and family. Pregnancy can put you through a lot of thoughts. It will make you think about the least possible negativity. Well, these are the instincts of the mother to safeguard her child. So
Read More
blog featured image

10 November, 2023

5 best ways to avoid premature labour

The average length of a human gestation is 280 days or 40 weeks. The gestation period is usually counted from the first day of woman’s last menstrual period. It’s good and healthier for babies not to be born before they’re due. If the labour starts before 37 weeks of pregnancy, then it is usually called as premature labour. In this case, the baby is not fully grown and is not entirely ready to come into the outside world.In premature labour, the mother is unable to carry her baby for the full 9-month term. There are a number of reasons behind the preterm labour, including traumas, accidents and unpredictable diseases. Although the reasons are not clear, here are the common and best advisable ways to avoid premature labour.Learn what you can do to prevent early labour!  See your health care provider early and regularly during your pregnancy. Prenatal care is designed over the years to minimise the risk and complications of pregnancy. A good health care provider can ensure and plan your pregnancy. Attend all prenatal appointments with your doctor and have all the screening tests to check your health and your baby’s health. Understand the common problems of the pregnancy and check the root causes in case of complications. Understanding the root causes will help you and
Read More
blog featured image

25 October, 2021

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic Pain Pelvic pain is pain in the lower part of the abdomen and pelvis. It can stem from multiple causes. Pelvic pain arises from the conditions associated with reproductive, urinary or digestive systems, or from muscles and ligaments in the pelvis. Pelvic pain can be due to irritation of nerves in the pelvis. Chronic pelvic pain is constant or intermittent pelvic pain for six months or more. Pelvic pain may spread to lower back, buttocks or thighs. Pelvic pain can also be situational, such as while using the bathroom or have sex. Causes More than one condition can lead to Pelvic pain. Common causes of acute pelvic pain Ovarian cyst– it is fluid-filled bubble arising from an ovary and causes pelvic pain when it ruptures or becomes twisted Acute pelvic inflammatory disease– a bacterial infection of the reproductive organs, which often follows a chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection and needs immediate treatment with Antibiotics. Ectopic Pregnancy (or other pregnancy-related conditions) Miscarriage or intrauterine fetal death Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea) Mittelschmerz (ovulation pain) Appendicitis â€“ a painful swelling of the appendix which usually causes pain on the lower right-hand side of your abdomen Peritonitis– inflammation of the peritoneum; it causes sudden abdominal pain that gradually becomes more severe and requires emergency treatment Urinary tract infection – it will cause pain or a burning sensation while urination Kidney stones Constipation or
Read More
Loading booking..