Baby's growth

[pam]

My daughter is 32 weeks pregnant and has been in the hospital for 3 weeks with preclampsia. her blood pressure is controled with medication and is on bedrest kidney and liver test are within normal limits. The baby is measuring small for its gestinonal age. The doctors say this is normal. His vital organs are at a 32 week gestation however is body is lagging behind. His weight is 2lbs and 15 oz. They said they will be doing another u/s next week. They will deliver the baby at 34 weeks only if he continues to grow. My question is when is the right time to deliver him. Do you wait until he stops growing or a decline in growth. My concern is how would they know if he is receiving enought blood supply to the placenta for him to continue to grow. In the last 3 weeks he has only gained a 1/4 of a pound.

pamela Gray

[expert on call]

Growth restriction is a common problem associated with preeclampsia. Often the fetus does not continue to grow even though the gestation progresses. The exact time of delivery is still a controversial matter. Many physicians feel that as long as the fetal heart rate testing is reassuring the pregnancy should continue. If the pregnancy reaches 34-35 weeks, the benefits for continuing the pregnancy may be less than the risks, so delivery is considered at that point. Other physicians feel that the fetus would do better growing outside the uterus. Ultimately it is up to her doctor to decide.

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