I often recall the day when my life changed. My pregnancy was not an easy one. My baby was in a breech presentation for weeks months then. I was due for sonography on my 32nd week. While examining my baby the sonographer started sighing and I started shivering with fear. In the next hour, I realized my fear wasn’t baseless. My baby in the womb was diagnosed as IUGR. My doctor immediately suggested a C-section and left us to decide a muhurat. The anger that flows through my vein remembering the talk of muhurat C-section right now was numb that day.
I ran away from the spot. Not physically but mentally. Soon I started to search for another doctor who can explain to me what is IUGR and why it happened. Google was scaring me with words of stillbirth, disabilities, and the NICU. I was not ready for any of that.
The numbness in my heart started seeping out slowly in the next few days. However, I was falling in another pit. I was constantly cursing myself for puking the entire 32 weeks and not holding nutrition for baby. Crying to sleep upon hearing murmur about had I taken care of myself before conceiving or had I adopted meat in meals all this could have been avoided. Unsolicited advice kept pouring till I was drowning.
All that until I decided enough. Enough of being the target, enough of being a pushover. I accepted my circumstances and it changed me as a person. I knew it would be a long battle and started to prepare before I cross the bridge.
Penguin, my child was an IUGR baby. So, I do understand the pressure a parent undergoes with the term. In this article, I hope to blur confusion around IUGR. And today the 13th of March is the IUGR awareness day. An honor to celebrate those tiny strong humans and remember those who we have lost.
However, I am not a doctor and am sharing information based on my experience. This information should not be taken as medical advice in any way. Always consult a doctor for yours and child’s wellbeing.
What is IUGR?
IUGR stands for Intrauterine growth restriction. It means the baby in the womb has either stopped growing or is growing slowly for some reason. It is not growing in the way it was excepted.
IUGR and SGA
IUGR babies are often confused as SGA babies. SGA, Small for Gestational age, are the babies who are just small. Though the terms are often interchanged. An IUGR baby can be SGA but not the other way around.
What causes IUGR?
Though there are researches that point to lifestyle, stress, the health of the mother and more. It is hard to point what exactly caused the IUGR condition. Around 30% of women can never find reasons why they faced the IUGR condition.
Medical literature and research do point causes as
- Placental abnormalities
- Congenital defects
- Cord issues
- Clotting disorders
- Low amniotic fluid
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Smoking during pregnancy
- Poor nutrition
- Gestational Diabetes
Types of IUGR
There are two types of IUGR.
- asymmetrical
- symmetrical
Asymmetrical IUGR means the head is growing at a normal rate for gestation, while the rest of the body is lagging behind. It is often linked with placental issues. In a way, it is good news.
Symmetrical IUGR is when the baby is growing proportionally and is lagging behind. 20-25% cases are symmetrical IUGR and that makes it rarer. Penguin falls in this category. It is linked with Genetic disorder or infection intrinsic to the fetus. It is often discovered in the early gestational period. However, due to some unknown reason in our case we got a late notification in the sonography report.
Why IUGR is scary?
IUGR babies are smaller than other babies of the same gestational age.
These infants with IUGR have both short-term and long-term complications, which make them high-risk neonates. The short-term problems include perinatal asphyxia, meconium aspiration, persistent pulmonary hypertension, hypothermia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, polycythemia, jaundice, feeding difficulties, feed intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Long-term problems include abnormal physical growth and neurodevelopmental outcome. These infants are more likely to develop the adult-onset disease because of fetal epigenetic changes. You can find more in this research paper.
How to cope with IUGR child?
Every child is different. IUGR babies grow differently right from existence.
Some IUGR babies do an early catch-up, others take time for the same. 3 years old Penguin is yet to catch up with height and weight as compared to his counterparts.
As a parent, you can give them ample love and care. Don’t compare your child with others. There’s no comparison between sun and moon. They shine when it’s their time!
Meanwhile, you should focus on your emotional well being as well. Most people are unaware of IUGR and some might pull off comments – like, don’t you feed the child. Learn to ignore them from start.
Furthermore, it is no one’s fault for facing the IUGR condition. Don’t blame yourself, mamma.
With Penguin we breastfed till 2 years 8 months and offered him high-calorie food. He also enjoys lots of outdoor play that help him practice his gross motor and fine motor skills. Today our Penguin is a beautiful energetic observer. His initial struggles in the womb or outside have almost no lasting effects on him. I am grateful for him, his health and wellbeing. Also, I do feel sorry for parents who don’t share similar survival story.
IUGR babies are different. They are tiny but mighty.
Hi there!
I just found your page, and it was very inspiring.
I wish I had found it when my baby was born.
He was also born premature and could be an IUGR (the doctor didn’t diagnose him that, but by the signs and symptoms I think he could be). He was born 34-35 weeks around 1.300gr.
He is now 19 months and he weighs 8.24 kg and his height is 75cm, which is small for his age. I am hoping if you could share any tips on weight and height.
Other than his small stature, he has met his milestones, which makes me happy!
Hello! Congratulations on your new journey into motherhood! If your baby is reaching milestones on time, don’t fret about size differences. My own child, now seven, has remained smaller than peers, overcoming early IUGR challenges. A balanced diet has been key for us. Trust yourself and enjoy this incredible journey with your little one.
You’re doing great! I’m delighted that my post has inspired and reassured you.
Thank you for having the time to reply also encouraging me.
Can you share his diet? I would like to know. My child loves fruits and veggies, rice etc, but for protein he would only eat a bit sometimes alot. So it kinda makes me worry.
Diet varies as per families and regions. I won’t be the right one to recommend one.
I loved and follow – https://amzn.eu/d/0EOCcya
Read about Penguin today . Glad to hear he is doing well . I can totally relate to your struggle and how strong you had to be and have to be everyday . I too have an IUGR baby born at almost 30 weeks and less than 2 lbs and was in the NICU for a long time . We were notified at 17 weeks after some tests and the whole experience was really harrowing but at least we were prepared for it when the time came for him to see the world. He is growing fine now though he is behind some milestones . I feel so blessed to have him in my life and nothing can ever compare to the joy he brings us . Thanks fully we have great therapists , early start programs and NICU follow ups to work with. I wish more people would know about IUGR and be more emphatetic . Good wishes and happiness to Penguin and hope he continues to be the champ .
Thank you Vidya for sharing your story. I feel happy to know the supportive environment you received. Through my story I want to create an awareness among people and let parents know they aren’t alone. Cheers!
Hi,
I was diagnosed with IUGR after my baby birth. In our week 34 scan the growth was corresponding to week 32 and there was high resistance in artery indicating PIH. But they weren’t very concerned as my elder daughter was born small at 2.4kgs and i was asked to be on high protein diet. My water broke in week 37 and he arrived by c section. He weighed 2.12kgs,i wasn’t very worried about the weight as i knew he would catch up like my daughter. But i was in for a big shock. They tested his sugars and diagnosed him with hypoglycemia and polycythemia. He was in the nicu for 5days .He is currently 3 months and is gaining weight well and met his milestones as of now. I have been so worried about his future and health ,whether he will be a normal child or not? This keeps haunting me each day.
Hi Chithra! Hugs dear. I do understand your fear and concern, prayers. Hugs.
Your post is very informative and also shows how you stood strong for your baby. I also faced similar situation when in 8th month scan suddenly I was informed of having hypertension and IUGR baby. We were not familiar with the terms then.Neither my family nor I didn’t see this coming as my first pregnancy was a smooth normal delivery. My baby girl was born with 1.2kg weight. We stayed in hospital for about 45 days. Now she is one year old and weighs only 7 kg. She is a fussy and choosy eater. Her weight and physical appearance worry me a lot as she look very tiny for her age. Also I am concerned of her health in future. She has touched all her milestones but a little slowly. Now at 13 months she could walk with support. Please give me your thoughts on experience whether she will remain small for her age in future also? Will she catch up on her height snd weight? If so, by when should I expect? What should I feed her to help her catch up? Or shouldn’t I worry at all as long as she is active Nd eats for her wish?
As a mother of IUGR baby, I can give you a warm hug Renuka. In the post, I mentioned the things that work for us. With respect to food, Penguin is a non-fussy eater and he was on a high-calorie diet for a long time. Now, he is smaller in size as compared to other kids of the same age. But he hit milestones around the right time, is quite active, and checks all ticks. IF you are worried about diet, do check with a good pediatrician. Hope this helps.
Hi,
I read ur post about ur little one being born as iugr baby.
Well I am sailing in the same boat,
My baby was too born iugr at 37weeks 5 days with birth weight of just 2.1kg
Now he is nearly 9 months old with just 7kgs of weight
I am really paranoid when it comes to his weight as everyone says is very weak
Though his diet and food intake is pitty good
And milestones are being also achieved on time
It’s just his tiny size worries me a lot and I wonder. When will he start gaining weight like other children
PS I also hav an elder daughter she was non iugr baby and healthy at birthday, I keep on comparing their weights at respective age though my younger one is much active than she was at his age
Pls do reply
Worried mom
Anamika takkar
Hugs. Emailed you my experience and thoughts.
How is Penguin doing now Hope she is fine. I am asking this as even I had a iugr baby a month ago and me being a worried mama would be guided by your experiences as to look after my baby as there are few who even know about the term iugr let alone offer advice.
Penguin is doing well, thanks for asking. I hope your baby is doing good as well. Penguin was exclusively breastfed till 6 months, then was having a high-calorie diet without salt and sugar until 14 months. His immunity is good. All milestones hit at the time. As an almost 4 years old he is a happy healthy child.
Let me your worries, drop me an email at lifewithmypenguin@gmail.com or pragnya.mishra@lifewithmypenguin.com
I shall try to help you with the best of my abilities.
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I am touched by your story. My friend had gone through IUGR during her pregnancy and that phase was so stressful for all of us.
I do understand the stress factor here. Keep visiting us.
God bless Penguin lots of love and Health. Indeed Every parents to be must know about IUGR condition
Thank you for your kind words.
I came across your guest post, it was very informative. Have patience and stay positive and motivated. Penguin is a great child, wish both of you best for the future
Thank you Niharika.
Blessings to your mighty child. This post will be helpful to many mothers and will give them relief that they are not responsible for the outcome.
Thank you for your blessings.
Your article took me back to my days of pregnancy. I too had a high – risk pregnancy and had a c-section at 35weeks but your story speaks a lot about your grit and courage. Strong mothers always have strong children. Your penguin will grow up into a beautiful, compassionate and loving soul. Prayers and hugs dear.
You are kind Debi. I do recall reading your experience. Hugs to all strong mothers.
Very informative and a great way to prepare parents for a condition like IUGR. We never foresee such things but you handled it very well.
Hope the post do help many parents with IUGR condition.
This seems really scary and I am unaware about IUGR.
Yes unprepared it can scary.
Such a heart touching post for we ladies must tell your little ones is a God sent blessed child… It’s a worth reading post for we all who are reading this post…
Thank you for reading Smitha.
People often tend to judge a book by its cover , so on seeing a weak child , we immediately tend to think how it could be the mother’s fault.Thanks for changing perceptions by putting up this informative post !
Thanks for visiting Preeti.
Yeah! Tiny but mighty loved the title and loved the spirit of yours. It is not easy to survive in the odds conditions. But you did it and doing it now also. Best Wishes!
Thank you Deepika. Grateful for your love.
My daughter was in breech position at the time of delivery and the entire pregnancy was very challenging and i had to go through amniocentesis test and all, it was harrowing experience. you have educated me about IUGR and thanks for that, I will spread the awareness too.
Before IUGR diagnosis Penguin was also in the breech position. Please do spread a word. Thanks for your suport Ujjwal.
You are a brave mother Pragnya and hats off to you for fighting with this situation so bravely. As I told you before my elder one is also has same condition.. but god is kind and help us in all odd situations.
Thanks a lot for writing this informative post.
Back then I was a scared mom-to-be. And I truly don’t wish others to suffer the same way. Thanks for all love Surbhi.
Hi, same situation here. My baby is born in 36 week with 1920g, late symmetrical IUGR. She is now 9 weeks and she has 4000g and progressing well… but I am scared because internet says that symmetrical IUGR means infections or chromosomal problems so I am afraid…
So, your baby is normal and he is not different from other children?
Sorry for my bad english
Hello, So far my kid is doing well. He would be 7 soon. Please consult with your doctor for infections or issues. Hope your baby would grow up beautifully and healthy as well.
He is a born fighter. And you are a fighter mamma. I am sure it must have been hard for you to first accept it and then handling it. But as they say “anta bhala to sab bhala”. Best wishes to Penguin. IUGR is a new term for me.
Thank you for your love Alpana. Keep us in your prayers.
Pingu is a miracle child, and I believe, he would be turned out a child prodigy. One day, for sure. My love, respect, best wishes and prayers are always with you two. But one day I would like to say you Pragnya, in these scary days, just try to keep calm yourself, and dedicate yourself completely in prayers and worship. The one above all, the divine grace will response you surely, and always with a miracle. Just have faith on Him. Sending all good vibes to you dear. Love you my bachcha, may you rise high, dear Penguin. 🤗
You are too kind Swarnali. Thanks for all your wishes and blessings. I am grateful to have you dear.
I’m glad fighter penguin is healthy and happy and full of your love and care. I was not aware of IUGR in-depth and thanks as today I got to know a lot about it and its day too. More strength to you as a strong mother.
Thank you Pragun. I guess the intent of this article was met. IUGR do need awareness.
Hi Pragnya,m diagnosed iugr in 20weeks bcs of hypertension, m not understanding what to do,doctor gave 15 days time to wait n watch..
Pls pray for me..
You are in my prayers. Hope things get better for you
I also had an emergency c section at 34 weeks and I can completely understand how you must have felt. My baby was touchwood of decent weight hit of course pre term and was in NICU for a few days. I did not know of this term. Thanks for this post
https://beingathinkaholic.com/the-day-i-delivered/
https://beingathinkaholic.com/baby-in-nicu-is-a-tough-phase/
All mothers are warriors but NICU graduates are champions of life. Hugs Arushi. Thanks for sharing your story.