Condition
Fetal Growth Restriction (IUGR): Monitoring and Care
Fetal growth restriction, also called IUGR, means your baby is measuring smaller than expected for the gestational age. With close monitoring, many babies do well. This page explains how it is watched and how Materna helps, in Spanish and English. It is educational, not medical advice.
Call now if you notice
- Your baby is moving less than usual (always worth a same-day check after 28 weeks)
- A severe headache, vision changes, or upper-belly pain (possible preeclampsia)
- Any vaginal bleeding or a gush of fluid
Decreased fetal movement always deserves a same-day check. Call your clinician or go to labor and delivery.
What is fetal growth restriction?
It means the baby is smaller than expected, often because the placenta is not delivering as much oxygen and nutrition. It can be linked to high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and other causes, so it is watched closely.
How it is monitored
Monitoring usually includes growth ultrasounds, Doppler studies of blood flow, and tracking your baby's movements with kick counts. The plan and timing of delivery are tailored to keep your baby safe.
How Materna helps
Materna makes kick counting easy in the app, flags decreased movement, and connects you to maternal-fetal medicine, with a bilingual 24/7 nurse line one tap away. Spanish-first and Medicaid-friendly.
Frequently asked questions
- What causes fetal growth restriction?
- Common causes include placenta problems, high blood pressure or preeclampsia, infections, and some genetic factors. Your clinician will look for a cause and monitor closely.
- Will my baby be okay with IUGR?
- Many babies with growth restriction do well, especially with close monitoring and the right timing of delivery. Your care team will guide the plan.
- How do kick counts help?
- Tracking your baby's movements helps catch changes early. Materna makes kick counting simple and alerts your team if movement drops.
Read next
Related conditions