growth restriction ..what does that mean

[29weeks]

i went to the drs today and they measured me and according to 1 dr i measured at 25 and to the other dr i measured 27.5 im between 30 and 31 weeks and have to go for an ultrasound now because there worried about growth restriction. Can anyone explain what this means? and what are the possible outcomes if that is the diagnosis?

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Growth restriction doesn't necessarily mean premature delivery.  Good luck!  You may just be having a small baby :)

[29weeks]

thank you all. i kinda feel better. i looked it up online and it kind of freaked me out a little bit. my previous child was early as well ..born at 34 weeks and she was 4lbs 14 oz n was 18 inches  she was in the NICU for 9 days ..i hope that the same thing doesnt happen again..

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Growth restriction is where baby has limited room in the uterus to grow, as Sunworshiper said.  It can be caused by many things.  One cause being low amniotic fluid.  This happened with my first child.  She was a full term baby, born via c-section (due to NO fluid), at 40 wks 3 days.  She was 18 1/4" and 4 lbs 15 oz.  She was in NICU for 4 days and released home and had no other issues aside from reflux disease.  

As alaysha said, they really shouldn't use external abdominal measurements to determine the size of the baby.  Depending on your frame, weight, hieight, etc your outside may measure bigger or smaller and baby could still be right on target.  The BEST way to determine babys size is via ultrasound with measurements taken of the head, abdomen and femur.  Even then, it's just an estimate and baby can be slightly bigger or smaller.  

If your baby truly is suffering from growth restriction they will most likely monitor his/her development more closely/frequently.  Once you are further along if they determine other health risks they may decide to take the baby early, otherwise they will just  continue to monitor you until you deliver and you will just most likely have a smaller baby...which may or may not need a little extra help the first few days.

[SunWorshiper_26]

Growth restriction would be when baby has restricted growth within the uterus. If that happens they usually with deliver baby early depending

[alaysha]

They shouldn't even be measuring stomachs anymore to determine the size of the baby. Its almost always incorrect because people carry differently. Some baby's like to hide back closer to the spine and some out by your belly button. Some even choose a side to lean on. Lots of girls on here have been told the same thing as you and then when they got their ultrasound the baby was measuring right on.