Signs of the fetus not developing in the womb that need to be watched out for

Since it is still an embryo, the future baby in the womb will continue to develop over time. However, there are conditions where the baby suddenly stops developing. This condition is called IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction). If IUGR continues, miscarriage or the baby can die in the womb. What are the signs of a fetus not developing in the womb?

Signs of an underdeveloped fetus (IUGR)

Reporting from WebMD, generally, signs of an underdeveloped fetus in the womb can be detected at the age of one to three months through ultrasound and other additional tests. From the ultrasound, you will know the approximate weight of the baby and the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus.

Then, the doctor will use doppler flow (Doppler flow) to measure the velocity of blood flow in the umbilical cord and baby's brain.

Fetal monitoring with electrodes placed on the mother's stomach aims to measure the rate and pattern of the baby's heartbeat.

From all these procedures, you can find out how the baby is developing and the likelihood of IUGR. The following are signs that the fetus is not developing in the womb:

1. The baby in the womb does not move

Normally, the mother will feel movement in her stomach in the second trimester. If the mother initially feels the baby is moving regularly but is no longer showing these signs, it is possible that the baby has IUGR.

2. Abnormal ultrasound results

An ultrasound or ultrasound will show the size, position and overall development of the baby. This method can also pinpoint birth defects so that it can help the doctor estimate the date of birth.

However, in the case of IUGR which indicated that the fetus was not developing, the first and second trimester ultrasound results showed no progress.

3. Decreased HCG levels

hCG (human gonadoptropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. Your hCG levels will continue to rise from 9 to 16 weeks of age. This indicates that the mother's pregnancy is developing normally.

However, when the fetus is not developing, the hCG level will be lower than it should be. If this continues, this could be a sign the fetus is not developing in the womb.

4. The baby's heart does not beat, so a sign the fetus is not developing

From the procedure doppler flow, The baby's heartbeat will be heard around the 9th or 10th week when the baby changes from embryo to fetus.

If the heartbeat is less audible on the first test and no more heartbeat is heard on the next test, this is a sign the fetus is not developing.

However, there are other causes that can lead to this sign, namely the position of the baby or placement of the placenta.

In some cases, the baby may not completely stop developing, it's just that it develops too late.

In particular, babies are estimated to be under the 10th percentile, which is less than 90 percent of babies of the same age.

The baby will have thinner, paler, looser, and drier skin. Its umbilical cord also looks thin and dull, not thick like a normal umbilical cord.

Signs of an underdeveloped fetus that are felt by pregnant women

This condition is felt and has an impact on pregnant women. There are several things that you will experience, namely:

1. Fever

This condition occurs naturally when the body fights off infection, but fever during pregnancy can also be a problem, one of which is a sign of miscarriage.

2. Breasts are not sensitive

In the first few months of pregnancy, the breasts will become sensitive as is the case with PMS (premenstrual syndrome).

However, in mothers who have signs of an underdeveloped fetus, the breasts become insensitive and shrink in size. This is because the hormones that support the baby's growth have stopped.

3. Symptoms morning sickness reduced

Condition morning sickness or nausea and vomiting are normal during the first trimester. However, if the symptoms stop before the end of the trimester, the mother should not feel relieved just yet. The reason is, this could be a sign that the fetus is not developing in the womb which causes the HCG level to decrease.

4. Out of the amniotic fluid

Premature discharge of the amniotic fluid is one sign of an underdeveloped fetus. Because a healthy baby will be surrounded by amniotic fluid in the uterus. When the amniotic fluid comes out, it means that the sac holding amniotic fluid has burst.

5. Feeling cramps can be a sign the fetus is not developing

Cramps may be normal in pregnant women. However, if the cramps continue to increase or do not go away over time, this could indicate a problem with the fetus and should be removed from the uterus.

If the mother or the baby has a condition as previously mentioned, it is advisable to have her womb checked by a doctor immediately to get proper treatment related to IUGR.

What to do if you feel signs of an underdeveloped fetus?

Delayed fetal growth is at risk of experiencing certain problems during pregnancy, childbirth, and later after birth.

Generally, signs of an underdeveloped fetus can be detected at one to three months of age. If left alone for more than three months, this condition can lead to miscarriage or the baby dies in the womb.

Even so, in some cases, babies who are diagnosed late developing can still be born with normal weight.

Therefore, all pregnant women should be checked for risk factors for IUGR. Especially if you have several conditions with signs of an underdeveloped fetus as mentioned above, it is advisable to immediately consult a gynecologist who treats you.

Pay attention to the symptoms so that when you are pregnant, you can continue to monitor the development of the fetus.

The goal is to anticipate if the fetus does not develop, you can immediately consult a doctor to determine a solution.

Cause the fetus does not develop

The prospective baby is said to have signs of an underdeveloped fetus, if the growth is not in accordance with the gestational age.

This slow growth and development of the fetus indicates the size of the baby is smaller than the average size at that gestational age.

For example, you are 12 weeks pregnant, but the development and weight of the fetus is still under 12 weeks of age. As an overview, you can monitor the development of the fetus from weeks 1 to 40 on the Hello Sehat page.

Your baby may not thrive if they don't get the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive. Here are the most common causes of an underdeveloped fetus according to Mom Junction:

Maternal medical condition

Your future baby may get IUGR if you have heart, kidney, lung disease, blood clotting disorders, sickle cell anemia, or diabetes.

In addition, IUGR can occur in the fetus if you have preeclampsia during the second trimester of pregnancy, chronic hypertension, or both at the same time.

Placental disorders

The placenta is an organ that functions to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the fetus in the womb. If the shape of the placenta is not perfect or the size is too small, then this organ cannot perform its function properly.

This condition allows the fetus to become undeveloped due to a deficiency of nutrients or oxygen.

Another factor

• Occurs in twins or more pregnancies
• Take drugs, smoke
• Certain infections you have such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, syphilis, or cytomegalovirus (CMV)

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