Preterm labor, low blood pressure and IUGR?

[globalsara]

I am 27 weeks pregnant with our third son. I have experienced preterm labor in all of my pregnancies and my second son was born prematurely. In this pregnancy, I began having contractions that were changing my cervix at 19 weeks. I have been seeing a perinatologist weekly, in and out of the hospital, and on medication (ibuprofen, nifedepine, terb, as well as antibiotics to treat infection) since then.

This week, we discovered that the baby has gone from the 50th percentile to below the 25th in the last few weeks. I'm wondering if this could be caused my low-blood pressure?

I was on nifedepine for the last 6 weeks and every time I gook the medication, my blood pressure was getting lower. We stopped the medicaiton this week when my bp was about 65 over 45 and my hr was 130. I cannot find much research about this, but I wonder if low-blood pressure could restrict blood flow to the placenta and therefore oxygen and nutriets to the baby? I know IUGR is more often associate with hypertension, but I've seen some research that indicates a link between low birthweight and low bp.

Any thoughts?

[Bill Cusick MD]

Wouldn't make any significance out of the difference in percentiles between exams

Pregnancy is associated with a reduction in BP, it is allows for increased blood flow to the uterus/placenta-

Your are correct high blood pressure, not low BP, is associated with an increased risk for small babies

wc

[globalsara]

After we discontinued using nifedepine, my blood pressure returned to normal and baby's growth rate increased. This may be coincidence, but I think it would be an interesting question for additional research.

Our son Zephan was born at 31 weeks. He was 3 pounds 13 ounces and while little, very healthy. He spent 4 weeks in the NICU and has now been home for two. He's the equivalent of 37 weeks and weighs about 6 pounds.

[Bill Cusick MD]

Congratulations- glad to hear all has turned out well

Happy New Year to your family

wc