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.

Nothing is as important. Go.

I do understand , i felt like you and i almost didn't go but had to so they could talk to me about my induction the next day...

When i gave birth she had stopped breathing and they had to resuscitate for ages due to some water level problem in my placenta, i'm glad to say she is alive but if i had waited til natural labour/induction etc then she may not be here with me today and my scan showed there was a problem.

@BethanyGilbert why did you ask for additional sans? Additional scans are only be offered if there’s a medical need, they’re not offered for reassurance.

You go to your scan, baby comes first. There is clearly a medical need for the scan, go see him wriggling, i know your tired but you know they have you best interests at heart.

friend had reduced movement.diddnt go in.turns out baby was moving so much due to stress.then just stopped.lost the baby.GO IN!so sorry,i dont want to put the fear of god in you but she wishes every day she would have gone in.her baby had moved into a further complicated place and couldnt then brethe in the end.
i know your tired and fed up.but you can do this.it will be worth it all in the end.
sorry your aving a tough time but youll be there soon.soon.soon.xx

I would go too I am 38+3 and due to be sectioned tomorrow and struggle with driving but it wouldn’t stop me. Ds2 would probably not be here had the hospital not scanned me at 37 weeks after reduced movements and bleeding. He was induced on that day and rushed to scbu due to complications (aging placenta). He is now a healthy 2 year old.

Absolutely go, just in case. Plus itll be the last time as you will be meeting your baby in 2 days time so you can take a bit of comfort in that. It's frustrating I know but not worth it on the very small chance something is amiss. Good luck!

I'm glad you are going. If I hadn't gone in for an unexpected what would have been seen by you as a waste of time my Ds would not now be in the kitchen baking for his girlfriend. Hope all goes well.

Go. Can someone drive you or come with you?

PLEASE go.

Glad you've gone. One of my routine reduced movement scans showed a major issue with the placenta, baby was fine 3 days earlier, they delivered within an hour.

Trust me, the pain of your baby not coming home with you is something that is with you every day forever, even when you don’t have to live with knowing you could have done something about it. Go.

I would go. They check the placenta and cord as well, which are the main issues with reduced movement.

I'd go, and take a bag with you as they could well keep you in. My daughter would have been stillborn without a late scan.

Glad you are going op. Like pps said may be worth just taking your bag with you to be sure.

Good luck op

Glad you are going. Good luck.

I genuinely don’t understand why you’d refuse to do this. How very odd

Go. As from week 38 they scan because of placenta failure. My baby had the cord twice wrapped round her neck tight. She barely made it. So thank god for scans.

Glad you're going. Good luck.
One of the reasons for this updated advice is experiences like mine where the hospital completely dropped the ball and kept sending me home after repeated episodes of reduced movements at 37 weeks, until it was too late. A long investigation later they said they'd be updating advice and giving MWs more training on dealing with late term reduced movements episodes.

“@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”

This is true however it’s also rare. A pregnancy can’t be constantly monitored, and a women who doesn’t feel movements well (or indeeed, a baby who doesn’t love much) can’t be on a scan every second of the day just in case.

❤️

@SVRT19674 how did they see that on the scans? Both my babies had the same, the second time I was told additional scans were pointless for cords. I went privately and was told the same, that they’d scan me but not comment on cord position.

In my second labour I was scanned during the labour with a mobile units after baby showed signs of cord compression. They still couldn’t confirm by scan that the cord was wrapped round neck, as it could’ve been simply leaning against babies shoulder etc and the scan couldn’t confirm.

Bloody hell

Offered a scan? I’d grab it with both hands