1. Getting Early and Regular Prenatal Care
Regular monitoring of you and your baby is the best way of preventing intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), or at least catching it early on. Intrauterine growth restriction cannot always be prevented. However, there are some risk factors that can be addressed at the beginning of your pregnancy, thereby reducing your chances of developing this condition. For example, high blood pressure can be treated early on with the proper medications. Another example is poor nutrition, a risk factor that can be corrected with the help of a dietician.
In the event that you develop IUGR despite early medical care, regular prenatal monitoring can help prevent the condition from deteriorating further. It is also important in situations where early delivery of the baby is required.
2. Avoiding Risk Factors
Some of the risk factors for intrauterine growth restriction are easily avoidable. Smoking, alcohol use and drug use should be avoided during pregnancy for many reasons. Poor fetal growth is just one negative consequence of using these substances while pregnant.
3. Eating Well During Pregnancy
Growing a baby places great demands on your body and requires increased nutrients throughout your pregnancy. During the first trimester, morning sickness often leads to poor appetite and eating habits. This is normal and should not affect your baby's growth in any way. However, by the second trimester, your ability to keep down food should improve, and your body will begin to require extra calories. Despite the temptation to eat for two, pregnant women really only need an additional 500 calories a day. Most women do not have a problem consuming those extra calories. Some women, though, have small appetites and do not eat enough. Also, keep in mind that pregnancy is not the time to diet. Weight gain is very healthy during pregnancy and, unless you are very overweight, it is necessary for your baby's growth.
But nutrition during pregnancy isn't only about getting more calories. Your daily requirements for protein, iron, calcium, zinc and folic acid all increase during pregnancy. A prenatal vitamin can help you meet some of these nutritional requirements. However, a good diet is still an essential part of preventing IUGR.
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