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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Baffled - 20 week scan view restricted by BMI?

15 replies

kenobi · 27/10/2011 17:32

Hi all, just had a very positive 20-week scan where apparently everything was present and correct. But in my notes it says the view was restricted by my BMI. Now, I assume that means my tummy fat was in the way?

I'm not skinny by any means but my pre-pregnancy BMI was 23.1 - I'm 5'11 and a size 14. I'm still a size 14 in pregnancy clothes.

I've become a little paranoid...

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Lifeissweet · 27/10/2011 17:49

Well, firstly, you don't sound big and I'm sure you're not.

My sonographer had trouble getting a clear picture at my 20 week scan too and I'm not overweight either. I did ask what the problem was and she said there a lots of reasons that some people are harder to scan than others. She said slimmer women sometimes have dense muscles that make it difficult. In my case, she thought it could be the mass of scar tissue from laparotomy and hernia operations.

I wouldn't be paranoid - it could be for any reason - not sure what your BMI has to do with it unless your fat is internal, which is also possible, but your BMI isn't high.

JambalayaCodfishDIE · 27/10/2011 18:43

Is it possible, in this situation, that BMI means something else, a sonographer-specific abbreviation?

fandango75 · 27/10/2011 20:32

me too - had my 20 weeks can today and all good and healthy. Later read on my notes the view was restricted due to adiposity. Which means animal fat.

I too am not huge but was a little alarmed / offended! If the view is restricted in someone average like me how do they see they babies when people are extremely obese?

Dirtydishesmakemesad · 27/10/2011 20:36

it is odd i am bigger than you my bmi was 30 before pregnany this time and for two of my scans now i have been told how easy the baby is too see and how clear the scans are. Maybe i have very see through fat - perhaps other things play more of a role and they use bmi as a catch all. you are not that large so i find it hard to think that alone would make that much difference!

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 27/10/2011 20:40

My bmi is the biggest on this thread I'd imagine, I'm a size 22. Patient habitus was mentioned on the notes but no comment was made and they seemed to be able to see everything they needed to very easily. I can't imagine they'd have more trouble with you than with me.

MiauMau · 27/10/2011 21:00

kenobi I'm smaller than you and also wear size 14 and there was no mention of bmi restricting view, on either the nuchal or abnormality scans. Maybe your sonographer was just incompetent?

Original poster

kenobi · 28/10/2011 13:05

That's really reassuring - thank you guys.

The sonographer seemed nice enough but was very quiet and gave no indication there were any problems at the time. I guess I'll just have to go on wondering. If I had another scan I'd ask but trying to talk to anyone at my very busy hospital is like one of the Labours Of Sisyphus.

Lifeissweet that's very interesting about different people being harder to scan.

DirtyDishes I love the idea of 'see through fat"!

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spookshowangellovesit · 28/10/2011 13:47

it said that on both my scans but the person doing the scan never said anything had no problems seeing anything and i have lovely pics. i wouldnt worry overly bmi is the new pregnancy buzz word and its a crock of shite

BreeVanDerTramp · 28/10/2011 14:22

I had this too and don't have an abnormally high BMI, also size 14 and quite tall. No problems mentioned during scan, I think sonographers put this on to cover themselves incase they miss anything

DejaWho · 28/10/2011 14:25

I'm fat. Put bluntly and succinctly (I'm less fat than I used to be but the medical profession has trouble giving any credit where wobble's concerned).

Have been having scans since 6 weeks - initially through the vaginal dildo cam and then abominally. Have apologised profusely that "I know it makes your job harder" and been repeatedly told not to worry, it's not really the big deal some make it out to be. The one shitty scan I've had was because my bladder was too bloody full cos we'd got stuck in traffic, the clinic was running late and I was fit to pop by the time we got in!

Original poster

kenobi · 28/10/2011 14:40

It's interesting how many people have had this.

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twogirls1more · 28/10/2011 14:57

I too was a size 14 when fell pregnant and do carry a bit of extra weight on tum from my last 3 pregnancies. My BMI was 27 when fell preg. I was told that at both my scans the view of everything was very good and to be honest, I could see everything clearly as was pointed out. When I got home and read in notes that view was restricted due to BMI I was a bit shocked and think it's really quite rude to be honest!!
Think the reason they do this is quite simply to cover themselves and wriggle out of responsibility if at a later date something is found to be wrong! Very naughty really, especially when they've said at scan that the view was fine and all measurements were taken with no probs etc...!

twogirls1more · 28/10/2011 14:59

.... I too am tall at 5ft 10"

Original poster

kenobi · 28/10/2011 17:21

That makes me feel better Bree and twogirls - but also a bit

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Xmasbaby11 · 28/10/2011 18:23

Yes, being overweight can supposedly restrict the view, as can a million other factors, like the position and stillness of the baby! As long as they can do the measurements there's nothing to worry about.

Wish I was as slim as you!My BMI is 31 and all my scans were very clear, although I had to go back for a second scan with the 20 week one as the baby was so wriggly - nothing to do with my spare tyre.

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