Late scan (36 weeks) possible to see face / hands?

[honeyharris]

Hi,

Wondered if anyone had experience of scan this late in pregnancy and what you could see? To give bit of background, was on medication in early pregnancy that I found out could have slightly increased risk of cleft deformities, and have been very anxious about birth defects in general. I also had a horrible dream that the baby had no thumbs when he was born - not good when in this state of mind! Although lip looked fine at 20 week scan, I believe it only picks up 75% of cleft problems, and there was no mention of fingers or thumbs, just that all 4 limbs were present. Was wondering whether it was worth booking in for last minute scan to reassure me that his lip is ok and that he has all fingers and thumbs, but not sure what you can actually see at this stage?

[TheBookofRuth]

Ooh, I had a late scan with DD. I could see her face, and that she had lots of hair and long fingers.

[honeyharris]

How many weeks were you when you had your scan TheBookofRuth?

[theborrower]

Do you mean a 4d scan or regular ultrasound?

[honeyharris]

It would be 4d scan, there's a Babybond near to me

[ToriaPumpkin]

I had one at 34 weeks last time (regular ultrasound) and have had one at 32 weeks this time and we could see the face and nose and fingers and thumbs.

I hope everything's well with your baby OP (I'm sure it will be!)

[noblegiraffe]

Have you spoken to your midwife about your concerns? I'm not sure a commercial outfit is the best place to go if you have medical worries.

What if they did find something wrong? Would it make a difference knowing now as opposed to at the birth when something can actually be done?

[honeyharris]

I'm not due to see the midwife now until 37 weeks and I think if I ring them they will think it's down to my history of anxiety and not take me seriously. I'm fearing the worst now and am scared of giving birth in case I go through all that to find out something is wrong when he is born :( Good question though, not sure how I would cope if they do see something wrong in the scan, I am hoping they won't

[TheBookofRuth]

I think probably around 36-37 weeks, honey, though I'm not certain. It was towards the end, certainly, and was just a regular ultrasound, not a 4d one.

[noblegiraffe]

I think you need to speak to your midwife. It's normal to worry a bit about birth defects but if you have a history of anxiety, then this could definitely be heightening it.

From what I can see of babybond, the only scan they do this late is a presentation scan. So you might end up paying out all that money and still not receiving complete reassurance (the lip could be fine but you start worrying about inside the mouth or fix on something else).

Maybe talking to someone about your worries would be more helpful.