What Does It Mean For A Baby To Be Small For Gestational Age?

During pregnancy, you can have several complications that you might need to face. Knowing about them beforehand can help you get it treated while you have time. An Early Pregnancy Scan can let you know about various complications of pregnancy and the baby. One such complication is a small baby according to its gestational age. A small baby for gestational age means that your baby has low fetal weight than the normal standard weight. 



Causes

Other than the fact that a baby can be small due to heredity, there are various other reasons for it. The most common reason is intrauterine growth restriction. When the baby is unable to get enough oxygen and nutrition, it leads to improper growth and development of the baby. A baby scan offers to find out the actual reason for this problem and if there is any complication with the placenta. It usually can happen at any time during the pregnancy. 


Risk of being small for gestational age

If the baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrition, the baby won’t be developing as it should. The organs like the heart and lungs might have problems too due to this. It can become risky for the baby to survive, especially during the delivery. There can be several problems for both the mother and the baby. 



Problems faced by the mother

High blood pressure

Chronic kidney disease

Diabetes

Heart disease or respiratory disease

Malnutrition or anemia

Infection

The placenta detaches from the uterus


Problems with the developing baby 

Multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets

Infection

Birth defects

Chromosome problems



Treatment

The various situation leads to different kinds of treatment. It also depends on how much strength is there in the mother and the baby. The doctor will determine the baby’s symptoms, health, and age. Depending on the severity of the problem and whether it’s solvable during pregnancy, the doctor will accordingly. In most times, these babies are born prematurely, and then the doctor plan out the treatment. If it is easily treatable during pregnancy, the doctor will act accordingly. There are some ways to treat the baby:

Temperature-controlled beds or incubators

Tube feedings if the baby does not have a strong suck

Watching oxygen levels

Depending on the severity, putting them in a ventilator


It is hard to see a baby go through all these right after being born or before being born. This is why a Private Ultrasound Scan in Cardiff shows you the real condition of your pregnancy so that you can take the right step beforehand.


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