Join Our Community!
Share
Pregnancy Forum > Second Trimester of Pregnancy Forum > growth retardation and low amniotic fluid
Flu basics - what is the flu? what causes the flu? Get started here to learn how to protect yourself....
We answer your questions on flu symptoms here. How are cold and flu symptoms different? When should you seek medical help for flu? Plus more....
Avatar
Q: growth retardation and low amniotic fluid
asked by: PeteW1 on May 31st, 2008
New User
I accompanied my wife to an ultrasound to discover our pregnancy is in serious jeopardy. At 19 weeks, our baby is equivalent in size to one at 16 weeks. The ultrasound ruled out any physical birth defects and we passed the genetic screening without any cause for concern. Our perinotologist believes a placental problem is the root cause of the growth retardation and doesn’t believe the baby will survive. Factors that led her to this conclusion are: an enlarged placenta, low amniotic fluid level (5.9 and 5.6 AFI over the past 2 weeks), and a 2 vessel umbilical cord.

The doctor has a “wait and see” attitude but my wife and I would like to be proactive. We're in the process of getting a second opinion, but in the mean time, is there anything we can do that might help increase our odds in rescuing this pregnancy?
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(8)
User Profile
Idony
replied on May 31st, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
i dont know much about this but i know nothing is for sure when it comes to babies, they are incredably resiliant and have a way of healing themselves

now im not saying it wont happen and im not saying dont fight like hell to get a second opinion and get something ddone, i am a huge believer in second (nd third and forth) opinion

i hope everything works out, good luck
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
monkeygirl22
replied on May 31st, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
There's always a chance that your baby will survive. Most umbilical cords have more than 2 vessels. When the cord only has two vessels, it causes a intra-uterine growth restriction. It is not certain that your baby will die. Your wife does need very close monitoring though and more ultrasounds than a normal pregnancy would. I would defitely seek out a second and possibly third opinion if it were me.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
eeyore46
replied on May 31st, 2008
Experienced User
Wait and see attitude is unacceptable, when it comes to this sort of situation. I would find a different doctor ASAP! I knew a couple that had this sort of issue and had a healthy baby girl. Yes, it might be true, but find a doctor that you have trust in and feel comfortable with. If it is indeed in jeopardy, time will tell! But, for your peace of mind, get a second, third, etc. opinion! I have no faith in doctors and the medical profession at athis point. There are some good/bad just like everyone else in the world. Please, get some different opinions. I hope they are more positive than what you have received. I know this was traumatic for your wife and you, just know that people care, and don't give up hope just yet.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
Xalleah08
replied on June 1st, 2008
Experienced User
Always get a second opinion
Definatly see another doctor about it, and don't give up hope. My older sister was told by a doctor once that she had a miscarriage becasue he couldn't find a heartbeat. It ended up being the doctors mistake and the baby was fine.

Also remember that ultrasounds don't always measure size accuratly, and your baby could indeed actually be growing quite normaly.

I hope that you get better news!
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
justforfun
replied on June 6th, 2008
Experienced User
Re: growth retardation and low amniotic fluid
PeteW1 wrote:
I accompanied my wife to an ultrasound to discover our pregnancy is in serious jeopardy. At 19 weeks, our baby is equivalent in size to one at 16 weeks. The ultrasound ruled out any physical birth defects and we passed the genetic screening without any cause for concern. Our perinotologist believes a placental problem is the root cause of the growth retardation and doesn’t believe the baby will survive. Factors that led her to this conclusion are: an enlarged placenta, low amniotic fluid level (5.9 and 5.6 AFI over the past 2 weeks), and a 2 vessel umbilical cord.

The doctor has a “wait and see” attitude but my wife and I would like to be proactive. We're in the process of getting a second opinion, but in the mean time, is there anything we can do that might help increase our odds in rescuing this pregnancy?



This sounds exactly what I went through with my daughter. I had very low fluid and a 2 vessel cord. My daughter measured behind starting at my 18 week u/s. Then at 18 weeks she measured 16 weeks and it just got futher and futher behind from there. By time I was 28 weeks she was only measuring 22 weeks by her head measurement and 19 weeks by her body measurements. I also had a problem with my placenta. She was delivered by an emergancy c-section at my 28 week u/s. My daughter did pass away at 4 months of age but it was NOT NOT NOT due to being born early!!!!! Babies born early and small DO survive. The medical equipment and knowledge they have now days gives premature babies a bigger fighting chance at survival. My daughter passed due to a heart defect, but did have other defects.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
x0x011
replied on June 29th, 2008
Experienced User
Justforfun - so sorry about loosing your daughter. But you are right. Small and premature babies do survive! it is when they have other defects that make the outcome more worrisome.

The doctor has a wait and see attitude because there isn't a lot you can do to be proactive in this case. Many babies develop IUGR due to placental insufficiency, and end up being delieved prematurely. YOu can't do anything to "fix" the placenta, or put more fluid into the uterus..it's just impossible. You can always see another doctor, i'm unsure if there are maybe medications or other treatments you can take to help the placenta, but i'm doubtful. Mom will need close monitoring using weekly ultrasounds if not more, and perhaps bedrest. It is VERY important to keep her bloodpressure down as well as this could cause more damage to the placenta. Keep your hopes up. I've seen healthy babies delivered as early as 25 weeks, and have scanned babies that make it to 30 weeks with IUGR and low AF.
Good luck
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
llegalmom
replied on March 1st, 2009
New User
Total Placenta Previa, Trisomy 18 & 21 and Choroid Plexus Cy
Is there anyone who can shed some light from a personal experience. My AFP came back low. At 33, w/this baby my DS's chance is 1/95 but it should be 1/700. The u/s showed 2 choroid plexus cyts and the potential for Trisomy 18. Help...I have had 3 previous pregnancies with NO COMPLICATIONS from start to finish!
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
sammyarea
replied on July 21st, 2009
New User
low AF
Hi PeteW1, how's your bb goes?

Can you update here as my sister in law is having a very similar case as you.

Hope to hear from you soon.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search