I am 27 weeks pregnant, after my 21 week ultrasound I was called back to to another at 26 wk 5 days and review both the same day. The doc. Said the 21 wk us showed that the baby looked " shriveled up to nothing" (his exact words) the 26 week us showed the baby was doing better but not as good as he wants, he want another at 29 wks, I feel like he is sugar coating everything, if the baby continues to stay small will I need to deliver early.. I am due Feb. 13th I also had unexplained bleeding at about 18 weeks
Hi S.,
I think you should find a new OB. For him to say it looked "shriveled up to nothing" without a further explanation is very alarming. Find a new doctor as soon as possible and figure out what's going on with this baby.
S.,
Welcome to mamapedia!!
I'm sorry your doctor lacks bedside manners. It doesn't sound like he's sugarcoating anything. It sounds like he is lacking in bedside manners.
Is this your first pregnancy?
Do you have low amniotic fluid?
Have you been able to get a second opinion? Maybe from an OB/GYN OUTSIDE your current doctor's practice? that's what I would do!
None of us here are doctors. None of us have examined you nor your unborn baby. I'm sorry your doctor couldn't give you more information that you could understand and work with.
You need to ask questions from your doctor....
* is this a viable pregnancy?
* is my amniotic fluid within normal range?
* is it possible my due date is incorrect?
You need to go in with a list of questions.
You need to ask your doctor. If you don't like the answers or can't understand them? You might have to seek a second opinion.
I wish you luck.
S., I'm so sorry you're going through this. I really think you need to sit down and talk turkey with your doctor. You need to know what the diagnosis is and what the prognosis of the baby is so that you have a clue what is coming down the pike.
Ask for real medical terms and a website link to read to help you understand. (Don't go looking for it yourself - make him give you the one he wants you to read.)
Knowledge is important at this stage.
Sending you strength~
You really need to sit ne talk to your doctor. Who was telling you this? The ultrasound tech or your OB. If it was your OB I would go get a second opinion somewhere. If it was the tech, meet with your doc to discuss U/S tech statement.
You should DEFINITELY find a new OB ASAP. Do not let yourself be treated like this. Intrauterine growth retardation can be very SERIOUS. It can be a sign of chromosomal anomalies that are incompatible with life or a sign that your placenta is not working properly.
If your baby is indeed very small for gestational age you should see a maternal fetal specialist instead of a regular OB. The standard of care is to refer you to a maternal/fetal specialist for further diagnostic workup (Ultrasound, Doppler measuring blood flow through the placenta and umbilical and you may be offered an amnio as well).
If the IUGR is caused by placental insufficiency it may be time for your baby to be born sooner rather than later... checking every 2.5 weeks is NOT often enough! I don't want to make you panic, but if it is as severe as your post describes ("shriveled up to nothing") you should be monitored much more closely.
Good luck!
Talk to your doc. Get his/her explanation in clear terms you can understand.
Call him/her tomorrow.
Only your doctor can answer specific questions about your test results.
Good luck!
