For the last three months of my last pregnancy, it was noted that she was not growing well. They suspected IUGR. My baby was not thriving as expected. My body was failing her. I was failing her. And as much as I grasped onto every tiny increase at every painful growth scan, I knew that it wasn’t enough.
She wasn’t growing enough.
They sliced my belly at 37 weeks and 5 days. They plucked her from the warmth and swept her away. They did their tests with dad watching on and they concluded. Yes, IUGR. Yes, she hadn’t been growing well.
They don’t know why. My placenta could have been sent for testing in the hope of some answers for future pregnancies… But this was the last one. The last time my belly would swell with life. The last time little feet would poke out from within. The last time I give myself over to the making of a new person.
And so my placenta was sent on for a different kind of testing. So that the research team could identify markers that might show them why IUGR occurs, and so that they could work on figuring out better ways to prevent it, and treat it. And save babies.
And so although she wasn’t growing, we any have helped someone.
And into the world she came. Tiny but fierce. And though she lost a lot of weight initially, eventually she got the hang of this strange world and we in turn got used to her. And she kept on growing.
Slowly
But surely
And steadily.
And while being in the 2nd centile meant that if you put Elsie in a room of 100 babies, 98 of them would be bigger than her, she has never let that stop her.
That smile.
That determination.
That strength.
Growing.
And knowing now that she has made it to the 9th centile is an amazing feeling. Now only 91 babies ahead of her.
Everything was so bleak for so long. But she is growing. Her world is growing. And, oh my goodness is our love growing too. Every. Single. Day.
There is still time to vote for me as best pregnancy blog in the MAD blog awards. I want to raise more awareness of IUGR and your vote could help me to do that. Please click here to vote, thank you x
She’s always looked so perfect to me, a lovely cute little bundle with personality that shines through all your photos, especially her very cute smile. These posts are really teaching me so much and have really made me aware this pregnancy and its made me a lot more confident at asking questions without feeling like I might not be knowing what I’m talking about, so thank you. You’re definitely helping me x
Ah thanks lovely. She does have such a strong personality and is so happy too x x
She looks perfect in every way and I’m so happy that everything turned out well in the end. Well done for sending the placenta for testing – here’s hoping they can find markers for the condition and put this information to good use for future treatments and prevention.
Ah thank you, yes I hope they can one day find answers for other families x
My 2nd (and last) baby was IUGR. She was “plucked” at 38weeks a diddy dot at 4lb 2oz. (strangely enough the exact same weight has her prem elder brother). As far as I know my placenta wasn’t sent anywhere. They told me it in itself was very small.
She’s five now. Hugely competitive, eats for England, bang on 50th centile for height and weight (they measure them in reception class). She’s doing great and I’m sure your beautiful baby will too.
#BrilliantBlogPost
Oh thank you so much for your comment, its such a comfort to hear stories like yours. When you’re pregnant its so hard to know what’s going on but now that she’s here I know Elsie is going to be just fine x x
Aww look at her cute little face. She’s always smiling and such a fighter 🙂 It’s good to hear that your placenta could be sent away for testing to hopefully help someone else in the future, great job.
I’ve given you a little vote, love your blog.
She’s such a wee beauty – that smile!
When I was pregnant with my eldest, he had growth issues and my placenta was ‘grey and grainy’ apparently… I had lots of monitoring but he’s a great big strapping man now and that’s all just a memory 🙂 #sharefriday
She is so lovely – That smile sparkles! May she continue growing well and fill every day with joy x
My baby was born at 35 weeks – she wanted to get out, and that determination still shines through every day. She just didn’t have enough room. I really don’t care about the whole centile thing, I understand why they are measured that way, but even if she wasn’t premature, my husband and I are not tall so it would be obvious that our baby will also be no giant! Your baby is a perfect little bundle x