how many scans should I have?

[Jfw82]

had my 20 week scan last week, scan seemed to go fine and was told everything looked good. I was told on the way out to book my next scans on the way out- growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Is it normal to have this many scans? This is my first baby and as far as I'm aware everything is straight forward so don't know whether this is something to be concerned about? Any advice welcome- I'm not seeing the midwife again til 25 weeks so thought I'd ask here!

No, that's unnecessary for a normal pregnancy. Usually the 20 week scan is the last one.

Ring and ask whats the rationale. Are you private? I know some private consultants are pretty liberal with scans so you feel like you're getting bang for your buck.

I think the standard is just one scan at 12 weeks and one at 20 weeks.

I have some friends who have also had growth scans, usually two (one at 28 and then 34). The reasons for this seem varied, one friend is very petite, another it's an IVF baby, one is an older mum (42) and she had quite low fluid. I think if you're BMI is high you also get extra scans. Could it be any of these reasons?

Try to relax though, if everything has been fine so far then extra scans are a welcome bonus

Your*

I thought it was just the 12 and 20 week scans normally.

I'm getting growth scans at 28, 32, and 36 weeks this time, but the consultant said this was because my other DC had been on the early side (34 and 37 weeks), so they want to keep an eye on baby's size in case DC3 arrives early too.

I had stacks of growth scans with DC1 - consultant had concerns around abnormal hormone levels and blood flow in uterine arteries, which increase the risk of growth restriction in the unborn baby.

No growth scans with DC2, just one extra scan to check cervix length in case that had something to do with DC1 being premature.

I would be wondering why the extra scans, but I would expect the doctors / midwives to have explained any concerns they may have to you as well. Sounds like something's going a bit wrong with their communications if they're not explaining their reasons for the extra scans to you.

In a normal low risk pregnancy scans are only needed at 12ish weeks and 20ish weeks. Unless there's a clinical need for growth scans you shouldn't need to have any others. Is your bmi raised?

Increased blood flow resistance in placenta, high BMi, low BMI, any medical conditions?

That's unusual through the NHS unless you have some risk factors for example gestational diabetes to monitor growth or like me - I have an extra booked in at 32w weeks because of a low lying placenta at 20w scan. Can you check your anomaly scan report to see whether it says anything? My report mentions why an extra scan is required.

Private antenatal care on the other hand will do scans more often and usually the ob will do it themselves.

If your NHS then growth scans suggest a complication of some kind.

Depends on the trust - I get that many cos it's an IVF baby. Check with them