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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To decline growth scans

122 replies

Orangepen13 · 28/11/2023 19:56

First child born slightly below 5lb 5oz so I have been offered three extra growth scans (28,32,36 weeks) in my current pregnancy

Ive heard so many inaccuracies with growth scans that can sometimes result in lots of panic, so I’m inclined to decline them. AIBU? And what are others experience of growth scans?

for context, I’m petite and my partner is also fairly lean, and first was born at 37+6 so we’re not surprised at all that she was small

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 28/11/2023 19:59

I’d take the scans.

Lammveg · 28/11/2023 20:01

You can decline them of course, no one can force you to have scans.

Or you can have the scans and then if any interventions are suggested you can weigh up the pros and cons of those instead.

Londonscallingme · 28/11/2023 20:04

I’m sure the scans aren’t perfect on predicted birth weight but they also check the amniotic fluid levels and the flow of blood through the placenta. Personally I’d want all the information available to make informed decisions about how best to care for my baby. I can’t see a reason why less information would be better.

OhBeAFineGuyKissMe · 28/11/2023 20:05

Have the scans but remember they aren’t pinpoint accurate so don’t engage in worry/panic.

Nikikk · 28/11/2023 20:07

As others have said you may as well get the information, and then weigh it up from there on in.

As a DOI if I’d declined my growth scans then it is a certainty that I would have had a stillborn baby. Makes me feel a bit ill even though I’m lay next to my thriving toddler!

CuriousMoe · 28/11/2023 20:08

We had additional growth scans due to an expected problem with baby’s heart. He was fine in the end but during the scan they did notice issues with my placenta which they were then prepared for before the birth and could have turned messy if they weren’t. I’d take the scans so that you and the doctors/midwives are fully prepared if necessary but don’t stress about them, we enjoyed the opportunity to see our baby a bit more often ☺️.

wineoclock90 · 28/11/2023 20:09

Definitely get the scans

Ilikeviognier · 28/11/2023 20:10

They aren’t just for growth either - they detect issues in the unlikely event there is a problem. I’d be taking them. I had extra scans in my second pregnancy for reasons I won’t go into- the one at 34 weeks showed that the placenta was starting to fail and he had to be delivered by c section. Had we not had that scan, I’m not sure what would have happened but it’s a scary thought.

Morecladding · 28/11/2023 20:11

If the scans were that unhelpful, they wouldn't offer them. I'd accept them, as a PP said, you don't need to panic about results but use them to make informed decisions.

SoSad44 · 28/11/2023 20:11

Don’t be ridiculous - you have been offered additional health care for a reason. I had additional scans with both my DC for a different reason, never for a second occurred to me to decline.

Venomous · 28/11/2023 20:11

They’re just information. You can choose what to do with the information, but it’s ridiculous to want less information.

BiffandChip1 · 28/11/2023 20:12

Had growth scans with 2 out of 3 children and they were very nearly spot on with projected weight. They were 6lb 13 and 7lb so fairly average.

worriedandworries · 28/11/2023 20:12

I can't comment on the risk of declining a growth scan but just take it as an opportunity to see your baby an extra 3 times whilst in the womb, and take the measurements as a pinch of salt?

Dacadactyl · 28/11/2023 20:13

Can they do anything about it?

I'd be inclined not to have the scans if not. I declined all additional testing when pregnant, although I did have the 2 scans offered.

Crunchymum · 28/11/2023 20:13

That is a fair amount of additional scans.

Are there any current concerns with growth or any other issues with this pregnancy?

Are you under a consultant or the fetal medicine unit? Or just normal Midwife care?

Mrsjayy · 28/11/2023 20:13

why wouldn't you want a sneak peek at your baby? take them see what they say and there is no need to worry/

Starsnspikes · 28/11/2023 20:14

I had them due to my fundal height being small, and initially it turned out baby was measuring bang on average, I was just carrying small. But towards the end of the pregnancy they picked up low amniotic fluid on one scan, and although it had resolved by the next scan, they then picked up that her growth was no longer tracking on the same line. As a result they recommended induction prior to my due date.

No idea how things would have turned out if I didn't have the scans, and it would possibly have been fine. But I'm glad I had them and I'd take them again if offered.

ImAnExcavator · 28/11/2023 20:15

I had growth scans due to a previous SGA baby. All fine and showing 50th centile until my final scan which showed a dip to 30th so they decided to induce. Turns out there was a true knot in the cord. Yes they aren't always accurate, but they can help show dips and other issues.

Onemorestepintheworld · 28/11/2023 20:15

Have the scans. You’re benefitting from additional care and attention.

sparklefresh · 28/11/2023 20:15

They're for the good of your baby, I'd take them

TheHawkisHowling · 28/11/2023 20:16

I'd have them. At the very least, you'll get to see your baby on the ultrasound.

I had a completely unnecessary scan for training purposes to check DS's heart was forming properly. It was just lovely to see my baby on the scan, even if it was jumbled pictures of inscrutable tubes.

PippyLongTits · 28/11/2023 20:17

Medical professionals are giving you medical advice that it would be a good idea for you and/or your unborn child if you have extra growth scans. You don't have to take the advice, but they are giving you this advice for a reason. I'd take the scans.

SquirrelySponges · 28/11/2023 20:21

It's entirely up to you as it's your body and your baby but personally I would have lost my baby if it wasn't for those growth scans. The placenta stopped working correctly and she had stopped growing so was born early, spent 12 weeks in NICU but now is a healthy happy lively 1 year old. I was told if they hadn't done the scans and hadn't realised she wouldn't have made it.

madeleine85 · 28/11/2023 20:24

Take the scans. I had no idea (also 5'2 and petite) that my second had completely stopped growing somewhere after 28 weeks until I had a scan and things really were touch and go, where I could have lost him as the placenta had stopped functioning correctly. You know that you are small, and have small babies, so you can expect lower percentiles. The doctor will not fuss unless your baby is truly tiny i.e. under 10% and falling off the curve. It is worth it.

QWE96 · 28/11/2023 20:25

I had growth scans - they predicted DS would be over 10lb. I'm petite, so this was a concern to them and they had a date set to induce me two weeks early. DS came a day before that date and was just over 7lb. They were, for whatever reason, inaccurate in my case. I personally wouldn't decline them just in case anything urgent does pop up, but your body, your choice.