To refuse a scan at 38 weeks?

[Moggymorn]

I'm booked in for a c-section in two days. I have an anterior placenta and a breech baby, and I have a lot of problems with movements due to both of these factors. I had my last growth scan a week ago today, everything was fine, consultant advised no more scans were needed as although I have problems not feeling movements, baby is moving and weighs an estimated healthy 8lbs and no causes for concern. I went in on Wednesday with reduced movements, after not feeling anything for 12 hours and I went in again on Saturday for the same reason. All day Sunday I could feel the movements, and today he's wiggling away again. It just depends on his position whether I feel anything or not.

They've phoned me this morning to come in for a scan in a couple of hours, which is standard procedure after two episodes of reduced movements. I said that I'm happy with his movements today and yesterday, and my section is in two days so I'm happy to pass on the scan. They said I can reject the appointment but it will be against medical advice.

AIBU to reject it? It's DHs last day at work, he's got so much to do he can't come home and take me, so I'd have to drive myself 50 minutes there and back, at 38+4. I've not driven for a week or so now as I'm so huge and uncomfortable. I really don't think babies at risk, it's just the words 'against medical advice' that has made me doubt myself.

Definitely go OP. I had lots of reduced movement and extra scans. When I went for a scan at 37 weeks, I never left! Had a c section that day. You know it's likely nothing and baby is fine, but I'm sure you know too that you'd never forgive yourself if this was the one time that things weren't fine. Hope it goes well and good luck.

I'm going. You're all right. I'm just so exhausted with it all

Not long now, best wishes for the next few days OP you will be meeting your baby soon

I sympathise with you OP. I have had the same situation and often couldn’t feel movements. People get really aggressive about movements (even though counting kicks etc is no longer recommended) but I don’t think many people realise there are 2 factors to feeling baby movements- whether the baby is moving, and whether the mother can FEEL those movements. You can’t spend all your time getting checked, it’s inconvenient, expensive (£10 a day hospital parking!) and you’re having your baby in 2 days.

You can of course refuse. I refused daily monitoring in my first pregnancy for those reasons and was also booked in for the standard scan (yes it’s just procedure) I actually went into labour the next day so didn’t get it.

I'd go.

"just to be told "he's fine, it's your placenta"

A work colleague had several episodes of reduced movement. Eventually they delivered her baby by emergency c-section at 32 weeks, it was her placenta. It was failing and her beautiful child died a week later. I'm not one for over reacting, but they would not be offering to scan if they didn't think it was necessary. Please go.

Well done for going. Everyone who had problems had normal scans up until when they didn’t.

Good luck @MoggyMorn in a few days you will hopefully be having lovely newborn snuggles and the back and forth you have done will seem a distant annoyance.

The NHS don't put in protocols for fun. The reason why babies are scanned after two episodes of no movement is because this can often lead to issues. So yes you can refuse and yes it's time consuming and uncomfortable and annoying but hey you're more likely to have a healthy baby so I wouldn't consider not going.

@TheLovleyChebbyMcGee OPs placenta issue is she has an anterior placenta so it’s harder to feel movements. That’s why she’s referring to her placenta

Well done for going. I remember that bone-tiredness of late pregnancy, so you have my sympathy, but you don’t have long left now and this is something worth tiring yourself for.
I agree with PP - take your bag with you as you might be kept in and have your section brought forward now even if the scan is normal.

UABU! go for the scan.

I do see where you're coming from but you're doing the right thing by going. Hope everything goes well in the next few days x

I'd go and I'd be so grateful that my hospital offered this service. Too many babies are still born and this is one way of keeping a check on things. You'd never forgive yourself if something was actually wrong. And if all is well then happy days.

I totally get where you’re coming from, but you’ve made the right decision by changing your mind and going.

Ah right, I had an anterior placenta too, but I still stand by my comments about going to get checked.

Glad you're going. It is annoying. And probably a false alarm. But we have all heard of women (or been that woman) who goes in for something routine and it lands up saving her baby's life. If DD hadn't been induced there's a very good chance she would have died or been severely brain damaged. My c-section happened after just 2 contractions because the monitoring showed there was a problem and we were rushed into theatre.

Glad you’re going,OP. I’m as non interventionist as they come in pregnancy, declined to see a Consultant, home births etc. I’d go to this one. If only because of the fact that if anything was less than perfect with your baby, you’d be forever questioning your decision and whether it could have made a difference.

As other have said, please go. Keep us posted

Glad you've decided to go. Echoing pp who said to take your overnight bag - you may not get home. Not long now, and you'll get to meet your baby. The tiredness and discomfort and pissed offedness will all be worth it!

Definitely take your overnight bag.. I wandered into hospital for a scan because I was at 40 weeks, and they booked me in, and I didn't leave until 3 days later with the baby! I didn't have more than my purse and phone on me.

@Passthecherrycoke people get really aggressive about movements there is very good reason why healthcare professionals advise women to get familiar with there babies movements. Up to a half of women who have a stillbirth report that they had noticed reduced movements of their babies in the lead up to it.

Fetal/a baby’s movements are a good indicator of the baby’s wellbeing. Yes an anterior placenta can cushion fetal/baby movements and make it more difficult for the woman to feel her baby’s movements, however they usually do feel something, and OP has advised that she does feel them so the advise is to get them checked out to help increase the chance of a good outcome. Op has advised she has been having regular growth scans this could be for a number of reasons and the baby could have been small for gestational age which puts her at risk. You were well within your right to refuse the scan/be monitored and I’m glad you had a good outcome, however some women who wait don’t have the same outcome.

Glad you’re going. I’d drive you if I could.

@Moggymorn glad you’ve decided to go.

I’m glad you’re going, I think it’s the right thing. Good luck with your c section

You should go. I wish did this at my hospital. Would have stopped me being suicidal the entire pregnancy. I begged and begged for additional scans and was refused.