Results of Growth Scan

[Loulouhels]

Hi there

I posted last week because I was measuring 42 weeks at 36. I had to go to the Day assessment unit at the hospital last Saturday as I had one + of protein in my urine and my blood pressure was steadily rising. All was ok and I am being regularly checked for signs of pre-eclampisa but I managed to get a growth scan.

I went this morning and the baby is measuring on the 97th Centile with its tummy and slightly smaller with the head. I have been given an estimated fetal weight of 8 and a half pounds and I still have two weeks until my due date. Sonographer commented that the baby had good growth rate.

After the scan I had to go back to the DAU (in the same hospital)to be monitored for pre-eclampsia again - all was fine but the midwife said she wants me to see a consultant next week to discuss delivery options and timings as the baby is measuring quite big and I am only small - 5ft, medium frame. She also took my bloods for gestational diabetes.

It was only when I got back home that I looked at the results of the growth scan and it says the femur length is 37mm!!!!! It was 36mm at the 20 week scan. So in 18 weeks my baby's thigh has only grown 1mm!!! Surely this has to be a typo as she didn't make any comments during the scan and the midwife didn't mention anything to do with its legs. It looked ok on the screen to me but then I am wondering if she zoomed in. And she only measured one. Surely if it was that small she would have compared it to the other leg???

All sorts of thoughts are going through my head. I.E are they getting me to see a consultant because there is something wrong with my babies legs and using the large baby as an excuse.

I just wish I had looked at the notes before I left the hospital - I tried to call when I got home but as it is a saturday they only work half days. Now I have to wait until Monday.

Sorry to sound a bit neurotic but that measurement is not just a short femur it is virtually non-existant!

I am just praying they have made an error when typing it up.

On a positive note has anyone had experience of a growth scan measuring large and had a lower weight baby. I've heard they are not always very accurate.

[anynamewilldo]

i had to have a scan at 36 weeks because of low lying placenta, at the scan they told me also that the baby was measuring too big, the rough birth weight they gave me was 9 to 10lb at 36 weeks and there was lack of waters around the baby. Went and saw the consultant, he was more concerned as dd2 was 9lb, and ds was 9lb 12, i went into be induced at 38weeks, because of the weight of the baby. I kept telling the mw's and i told the consultant that i felt smaller this time than with the other 3, at birth dd3 was 7lb 4, and loads of water came with her.

I was also tested for gestational diabetes, which came back all clear.

When you go back to see the consultant ask them to do another scan to have the measurements checked before you make any decision on the birth, my consultant was all for having a c section. But i refused i told them i wanted a natural birth.

the femur length is if i remember rightly from the knee to the ankle, i wouldn't really worry to much about that, to be honest i would take scan measurements with a pinch of salt.

hope that helps
sorry didnt mean to ramble on

[mumofk]

Arrghh just lost long reply I'd written!
Femur is thigh bone (upper leg anynamewill do)- and sounds like a typo (look on a number keypad, 3/6 easily done).
If sonographer had been concerned, she'd have done extra measurements ( its normal jus to measure just the one leg, but if problem suspected might measure both and both upper arms- humerus), put it in writing and probably mentioned it to you. Midwife would have definately said something- there is nothing for them to gain by keeping something like that from you- so please don't think its a conspiracy.
EFW- I don't do it as the charts I have are older than me and only based on one measurement. At your hospital they might have better charts, but I thought good estimates took your birthweight or partners height or something into account- a midwife should know more than I do. Anyway, IME they're only a guess, and I've known them be 2 lbs out with scan 2 days prior to delivery.
You've had a scan at 36 weeks, so all that might happen is dr would suggest another scan at 38 weeks to see how baby is growing? Midwife probably has a protocol to refer anyone with measurements over a certain amount just to make sure birth goes as smoothly as possible (i.e they won't leave you pushing for ages now they know baby could be larger).
The pre-eclampsia might end up knocking all these worries on the head TBH. And, if you do end up having gestational diabetes that would raise the possibility of baby growing lots in the next few weeks, so all the information from the tests you've had/are having, a Drs input is going to help interpret all this and help figure out the implications of it all.
Just hope the pre-eclampsia doesn't get scary (did you read the thread with upper tummy pain and dark wee to watch for?), so (haha, like its going to be easy!) try to put your feet up, relax and think positive thoughts.Let us know how you get on,
Good luck,
mumofk

[Loulouhels]

Thanks for your replies! I feel so much better today - just had a mad half an hour yesterday. I've stayed really calm throughout this pregnancy and yesterday it just got a bit on top of me. Must be the hormones I just know it has to be a typo there is no way they wouldn't have mentioned it. Just a shame I couldn't get hold of anyone at the hospital yesterday and I have to wait until tomorrow.

Mumk - sorry didn't make it clear my scan was yesterday at 38 weeks so they are rushing me to see the consultant as I don't have long until my due date and if it is a big baby then they will just want to discuss delivery options with me. I really wanted a natural birth but this morning I think I just want it out so if it has to be by elective C-section then so be it.

Thanks again!!!!

I am sure everything will be fine. sites like this really help.

I'll keep you posted