Growth Scans

I’m glad you’ve asked this as I have been told I might need them, so commenting for future reference xx

Normally this is because they are concerned about the baby’s size (big or small) and why that might be (something going on with you or the baby.)

You probably had a resent scan or midwife appointment where they were concerned about growth as the baby is bigger or smaller than expected. You should have been told this at the appointment. They really should have explained why exactly they want to do a growth scan. It’s pretty bad care for them not be clear about why they’ve ordered a growth scan!

For example my hospital will be doing extra growth scans as I have two risk factors for small babies at term and a history of premie sized baby at term.

I would definitely be prepared to ask a lot of questions. What are they concerned about? What do they think is the cause? Will this impact the type of birth you will have?

No these appointments got given to me due to high risk because it's a first time pregnancy and my BMI is higher than 35. I was given these appointments when I was just 12 weeks back on 24th December. They did explain why due to my BMI being a bit higher, I was just asking what I can expect to happen during the scan.

Glad they explained. Sorry, bad care gets me easily ranty! 😅

During the scan they will measure a million things to work out the baby’s size - legs, arms, stomach, head. Then a computer program works out the estimated weight of the baby and how that relates to population percentages - this is done straight away. It’s very similar to the 20 week scan.

I hope your scan goes well! 💗

don't be silly! 😅 me too! Luckily I haven't experienced bad care but I've heard so many stories!
Thank you!! I've never understood the percentile thing either so will definitely be sure to ask about that! 💗

Percentile thing is pretty straightforward. A big baby is any baby 90% or above. A small baby is any 10% or below.

As it’s based of population stats there are of course many non-concerning reasons a baby might be big or small - example short or tall parents. Generally they are mostly concerned about tracking the bottom and top 10%, in case there’s something else going on.

thank you for explaining this! Yes! My partner is tall so I will bare this in mind when speaking about this! Thank you so much! Put my mind at ease a lot! X

I just got given the growth scans do they not just book you growth scans anyways? X

unless there is risk factors they don't! You only have the 12 week and 20 week scans on the NHS, only if there is risk factors such as high bmi or first time pregnancy or you smoke etc x

normally, it’s for a specific reason if it’s called a growth scan or fetal medicine scan. Ask your midwife if you’ve been given one of these.

On the NHS some hospitals do more scans than other hospitals. 2-3 ultrasounds are normal but shouldn’t be called “growth” or “fetal medicine” scans, just “ultrasound”.

okay because I’ve been given 3 growth scans will ask this when I see my midwife next week

I have been scheduled in for 3 growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 weeks because I have slightly low PAPP-A.

I had my first consultant appointment last week (at 22 weeks) to talk about the results of my 20 week scan. Everything was fine and average so they just confirmed that there were no issues, and reviewed the notes the radiologist had made. They also said that they would keep monitoring to be on the safe side.

They basically said the risk is later in the pregnancy the baby might start to slow down growth wise at that stage we might need to talk about early delivery but for now, no worries so no need to talk about it.

It’s literally just to check everything’s ok and the consultant reviews what the radiologist has said because at the end of the day they are the one ultimately responsible for your care.

They also do all the usual blood pressure and urine tests at the same time, and I got to listen to the baby’s heartbeat on the Doppler again.

thank you X

I jave something similair which I am confused about.
On the same day. 2 different appointments.
130pm us obstetric fetal growth. 220pm us obstetric placenta.
My last scan I had a low lieing placenta so was aware of another scan. But confused why I have 2.

I had to have growth scans with my 1st as he was measuring big, he arrived of his own accord at 36+3 at 7lb2. At my 21 week scan I was told this one is measuring 86th percentile and I will have growth scans again 😂 my son is just very tall (definitely didn't get that from me!)

Nothing has been said about the size of baby girl

I had 2 appointments too! They did the scan then I had to speak to a consultant to just to discuss anything or ask any questions, he's measuring absolutely fine he's measuring 37th percentile so perfectly x

@Paige Hi Paige, so because of your bmi, if they measure your bump, it won't give an accurate reading of your baby's size so they need to scan to check the size, that's all. I'm a bit jealous that you get to see your baby again. I've been told that my bump looks small, but they won't measure it until my next appointment and then if it is small, I will get a scan to see if the bump is small because baby is small or if my bump is just small and baby is normal size. Hope this helps xx

I did think this!! I've got 2 more growth scans booked I had one yesterday, the midwife will start to measure in 2 weeks but I'll go more off what the scans say than the midwife measuring the bump! Thank you! It helps a lot x