Uterine artery doppler scans

[mimmymouse]

Hello,

I had one along with my 20wk anomaly scan. I had an amnio at 15wks due to extremely high HcG levels. Amnio was all clear. (Full results.)

Sonographer said my numbers were: 0.625 which apparently put me on the cusp.... the cusp of what?! After the JR Oxford Hospital being totally wonderful in during the whole need for CVS then amnio etc they are now being utterly rubbish and I'm unable to get either our community midwife or the fetal medicine folk on the phone. I understand they are looking for "growth" problems, but they're not able to tell me (or not willing, perhaps) what sort of growth problems and what they could do about them should "growth" problems be detected.

I understand that these scans measure the flow of blood into the placenta and thus to the baby. But I don't know if mine was too slow, too fast? What can I do? Do I need to improve my circulation? My diet? More sleep? Put feet up? I'm fed up with this whole business and am rather keen to enjoy my pregnancy and get excited about having this baby, rather than just feeling I need to be worried the whole time. Every single test they've given me has come back with the answer: the baby is fine. So, stop bothering me?!!

I'm supposed to go for another one of these uterine artery scans next week but they've not yet given me an appointment. I have, however, already been given an appointment for the 34 wk growth scan.

I'd love to hear from others who have had some experience with this - even more so if it was at the JR!

Thank you all.

I had a uterine artery doppler scan when pregnant with DS, which showed 'notching' in the blood flow.

Can't remember any numbers used, so not sure how relevant this is to you, but in my case, the notching meant that the blood flow to the placenta wasn't as good as it should have been. This put DS at higher risk of intrauterine growth restriction (i.e. growing too slowly within the womb).

Unborn babies who are growing very slowly have a higher risk of neonatal complications and are more likely to be stillborn, so I was put on low dose aspirin to help the blood flow, and got growth scans every 3 weeks after the notching was spotted.

I was told that if DS stopped growing, DS might be delivered early, as if he wasn't getting enough oxygen, nutrients etc inside the womb, he would stand a better chance in a neo-natal unit. (DS fortunately continued to grow at a normal rate)

Hope all goes well for you x

Thank you for your response! This is the most useful explanation I've heard. Sadly, neither the midwives at the unit or our family midwife has deemed my request suitable to respond to.

I'm delighted to hear things turned out well for your DS.

Many thanks x