What are the treatment options for fetal growth restriction?

Fetal growth restriction means the baby is smaller than expected or is not growing as anticipated. The care team looks at growth measurements, blood flow through the placenta and umbilical cord, fluid around the baby, and fetal movements. A small measurement alone does not decide the plan; the pattern over time and the pregnancy stage matter.

A Growth Scan can track size and fluid, while Fetal Heart Monitoring helps assess the baby's wellbeing. These checks may be repeated at intervals chosen for your findings.

Attend every scan and monitoring appointment, and follow the instructions for noticing your baby's usual movements. There is no home treatment that reliably makes restricted growth catch up, so do not start medicines or supplements without the maternity team.

If monitoring remains reassuring, the team may continue the pregnancy with surveillance. If results suggest the placenta or baby is under strain, birth may be advised. Induction of Labour may be suitable when vaginal birth is considered safe; a caesarean birth may be discussed when the baby needs faster delivery or labour is not advisable.

Contact your maternity unit promptly if your baby's movements are reduced or noticeably different, or if you have vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular painful contractions, severe headache, visual changes or sudden swelling. Do not wait for the next scheduled scan when these symptoms occur.

Ask which measurement is causing concern, how often growth and fetal wellbeing will be checked, what movement changes should prompt a call, and which findings would lead to planned birth. Clarify whether induction or caesarean birth is more appropriate for your baby's current position and monitoring results.