Hypothyroidism and low birth weight

[a584393]

Not sure if there are any experts on this here but I can't afford the fee in the "doctors forums" right now. I was diagnosed with Graves disease ten years ago. I have been under constant treatment and monitoring for my thyroid which is now hypo. I am 30 weeks pregnant and just found out this week that my baby is in the 5th percentile for birth weight, she is dangerously low at 2.5lbs. I now have to undergo twice weekly stress fetal stress tests as well as weekly ultrasounds until my due date. I have been keeping my thyroid under close watch this whole pregnancy with regular blood tests, I eat healty, no bad habits. Is there anything else I can do at this point to save my child?

[a584393]

Thanks for your response, both her father and I were average sized babies, I'm a relatively tiny person at 5'2" but he's rather tall. The past ultrasounds came back that she was small also, but in the 10-15th percentile so it wasn't a cause for concern until now I guess. I'm just scared of what's going to happen, they really didn't give me too much information on what's happening except that the amniotic fluid amount was fine as well as blood flow and as far as they can tell through ultrasound the baby's heart rate is fine. They believe it has to do with my thyroid but my levels were fine on the last blood test. Now I just have to fit in all these extra tests while working full time, with the advise to "relax" more, : ( Not sure how ones suppose to relax under this added stress.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

It sounds like you are doing everything you should and can be doing as far as your baby goes.  

One thing to let you know is that the ultrasounds can be quite far off as far as predicting birth weight.  I had 2 ultrasounds 3 weeks ago - 1 dr. said my baby was small at about 10%ile and the other said she was large at 90%ile.  That is a difference of 80% within just a couple of days and with 2 different doctors.  Sure gives me a lot of confidence about accurance!  NOT.  And I have heard this story about inaccurate ultrasounds many times over.

What they should be looking for is that your baby is growing consistently rather than simply where she is on the percentile.  Remember - 5 percentile means that 5% of babies are same size as her or smaller.  That is still within what is considered 'normal' range.

Are you and/or your husband small?  How big were you as babies?  This can also have an effect.  People of asian descent can also have smaller babies than europeans. Many factors play a role.

Keep eating really healthy.  

If they think there is growth restriction due to placenta problems they may end up delivering her a little early.

Best wishes to you and your baby.