Brief Answer:
Assessment where the baby is safer - in the uterus or ouside

Detailed Answer:
Hi Dear,

At 8 moths 1500 gms is a low weight no doubt. However, it is not hopeless situation if you can continue your pregnancy till full term. It is not clear from your questions what is the amount of the fluid around the foetus (or you may ask the doctor about the amniotic fluid index). This is a very important, rather vital parameter for the well being of the baby.
You mention the baby's growth is slow and fluid is slow. Will you please ask your obstetrician and let me know precise situation and condition about the amniotic fluid. Also, if possible try to get the reports of Manning's Score to me.
Also please let me know whether she has any other medical condition like high blood pressure or diabetes or any other. Please inform me her blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This will pinpoint the cause for slow growth of the baby and the further risk involved in continuing the pregnancy - for both mother and the baby.

These reports will tell us whether your baby is safer inside the uterus or outside the uterus. If these reports indicate that the baby has got more risk inside the uterus, and better chances outside the uterus the doctors will opt for the premature delivery.

Now a days, with Neonatal Intensive Care units, the premature babies can be managed successfully.
No doubt, prematurely born low birth weight baby will have more risk than other babies, however that can be managed by a paediatrician's advice.

Regards

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Brief Answer:
Optimistic Situation

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I am indeed happy to learn that the blood pressure and sugar is normal.
The amniotic fluid also looks to be fair.
Normal scan and normal NST mean that there is no immediate endangering situation for the baby.
Yes, if she starts getting pain, she is going into premature labour. In such situation, if the doctor feels that due to low weight and low development baby may not sustain the stress of vaginal delivery, she may be advised to undergo Caesarean Section. So please keep a watch on the uterine contractions. Please remember that throughout the pregnancy, the uterus is continuously contracting and relaxing. You need not worry about these contractions. If the contractions start becoming painful, then you have to report to your obstetrician at the earliest.
Watching the movements of the baby is a very good tool to know about the baby's wellbeing. When there is impending risk to the baby, the movements of the baby become less. Usually, the baby moves once an hour. Note it. Even if the baby moves 10 times in 12 hours, the baby is safe. I would urge you to keep the written record of the baby's movements. When they are less than 10 in 12 hours, please report to your obstetrician.
During this conservative period, please ask her to take full bed rest. She should not rest on her back. Let her lye down on left side. By lying on the back, the blood supply to the uterus becomes less because of drop in blood pressure due to the pressure of pregnant uterus. When she lies on the left side, the uterine and thus foetal blood supply is well maintained.
Also please increase 300 calories in her diet by sheer carbohydrates. This you can do by giving her in addition to her regular food, a fistful of riceflakes (pohe or avalakki or पोहे) with jaggery (गूळ) in a cup of milk. This helps the growth and weight putting of the baby.
I hope I have answered your questions to your satisfaction and have minimized your stress. Please remember, stress never gives you any solution, on the contrary under stress a man makes mistakes. Be calm so that you can take correct decisions for your baby and wife. Be a good responsible father XXXXXXX
All the best.

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