Hi NellNell,

As far as "can our bodies grow babies well" I have asked my OB this (of course) and she thinks that there is a 50/50 chance of me having the same IUGR issues. So a 50/50 chance I will have a healthy sized baby.

Yes, my DS was very small and unfortunately also very sick. His heart did not form properly in the womb and so he needed open heart surgery at birth. Found this out at 20wks, went into pre-term labor at 24 wks with the development of an irritable uterus (then on home/hospt rest and drugs for rest of pg) then at 28 weeks found he wasnt growing well, then at 30 weeks found reversal of flow along umbilical cord resulting in decrease in growth. So...delivered by emerg non-laboring c-section at 36wks as he had lost wt and was showing distress at my continuing contractions (had them every day from 24 wks).

Then the stress and hard work started with trying to keep him alive!

So the fall out from all that is that the heart condition was completely unrelated to any of the pregnancy complications - luck of the draw!! So my OB and our sons cardiologist have both said that without the pg complications of IUGR and irritable uterus they would have expected him to be born full term and a good size. BUT as we dont know why that all happened and this was my first child I have a 50/50 chance of IUGR again and also a 50/50 chance of irritable uterus and pre-term labor issues. YAY for me!

So what this means for you is that there could still be just a 50/50 chance of IUGR for your next bub and that bubs 1 & 2 just fell on the side of coping the IUGR but that doesnt mean it will happen for #3.

Hope that helps and didnt freak you out - freaks me out sometimes; especially as I lead a very healthy and active life and dont fall into any of the risk groups!

Rachel