Growth scan at 26 weeks. Why???

[NoRoomForALittleOne]

I saw the obstetric registrar yesterday at 13 weeks as DC4 had a shoulder dystocia. She didn't want to discuss anything with me and had already written her plan in my notes before I went in to the consulting room. Her plan is GTT at 24 weeks and growth scan at 26 weeks. But why do a growth scan so early? I had a growth scan at 27 weeks with DC4 for totally different reasons and at that point the result was a weight on the 75th centile which was quite different to an actual birth weight on the 98th centile.

Is this odd practice? Do you think they'll want to do a series of growth scans? It just seems a bit strange.

I had a large baby last time and have serious anxiety about potentially another section, and having been having growth scans every four weeks since 24 weeks (which they also compared to the 20 weeks scan).
It's so they can compare them, monitor, and possibly suggest ways to reduce baby size/treat any problems if baby is too small.
Good luck

I had a growth scan at 29 weeks, and am having another at 32 weeks. Expect I'll have another one before the end as well? I suppose it's to compare and see what the rate of growth is like in order to accurately estimate the birth weight.

She wants to make sure that they pick up gestational diabetes early if you develop it as that may have been the cause for your last baby being large.

It is shame to hear that she didn't explain things better to you though. I would be more persistent in asking for them to make things clear at your next appointment.

I had two GTTs last time because I was peeing out so much glucose. Neither indicated GD. She knows that. I think that she is just following a standard plan for previous large baby with shoulder dystocia. But it seems silly to rely on growth scans that are notoriously inaccurate. I've read a number of studies about what should be happening and I'm not convinced that the hospital is into evidence-based medicine (eg, they have already considered early induction).

Although growth scans are notoriously unreliable, the more growth scans you have the more accurate the results are, because they show the pattern of growth too.

Do you want to try for natural birth, with possible early induction (presumably your consultants plan) or do you just wish for elcs. If the latter read nice guidelines because you can request one yourself.

I don't want to do either! I'd rather just go into labour naturally and be allowed to get on with it. Early induction is not recommended nor evidence based. For example, it gives problems of needing constant monitoring and restricting movement (not good for birthing a big baby) and often ends up in EMCS. Also, the pitocin drip is contraindicated for women birthing baby 5 onwards, apparently which is more likely to be needed in an early induction.

As for ELCS, you know how some women have a proper fear of childbirth? I have a totally irrational fear of c-section. I've never had one but I've had two laparoscopies and had LOADS of pain afterwards. I really would rather push.

I guess that I'm going to have to put baby first and choose though I wish that I could convince them to let me build a little nest in their pool room so that I can choose between pool and nest. Oh, and birthing in the dark with a midwife just encouraging me every so often. That would be bliss. Not gonna happen though