what exactly is the 36 week scan for prior to a planned c section?

[Peacenquiet2]

Im due a 36 week scan tomorrow as ile be having a planned c section due to medical reasons concerning myself (not the baby).

This is dc3 but first cs.
However im wondering what the exact reason for this scan is other than setting an exact date and what is the date based on?

I mean, if the baby is measuring very big or too small, would it be carried out before week 39?

For those ladies who had a 36 wk scan for this reason, did dcs weight get estimated and what else was looked at on ultra sound?

[ZingSweetApple]

from memory:

• measuring height, even head circumference and possibly calculating weight if needed

• checking position of placenta

• checking position of baby

• checking previous C-section scars

I'm sure I had other reasons as well at different times with different babies (pg with #7, had ELSC with #4)

good luck!

[arabellarubberplant]

Position of placenta.

They don't want to be slicing that open when they make the CS incision.

That said, I was scanned every day from 38 weeks until I had CS at 40 weeks exactly, so mine was for all sorts of other stuff, too.

They estimated dd1's weight to be 9lb13, could be a pound heavier. (She was 8lb6, so don't believe a word they say, anyway. Scans are notoriously unreliable for weight guessing)

But A single planned scan at 36 weeks is entirely sensible, and will give some general ideas about position etc.

[Peacenquiet2]

Thanks for the replies ladies, my scan is at 2 so ile be finding out soon enough i guess but its nice to have an idea on what to expect.

[ZingSweetApple]

good luck!