Growth Scan at 38 weeks?

[YummyMummy247]

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted your opinion on this, as even tho not overly worried it's made me over a think a little.
So attended my 38 week appointment last Thursday. (Wasn't my usual midwife) she seemed to say everything was ok. Done the usual checks and said I was 3/5.
When measuring me and then plotting it on the growth chart she said that baby looked a little small so wanted me to go for a growth scan just to check baby. I questioned this slightly to her, which she responded as the head is far down its hard to get the correct measurements. When I got home I noticed on the chart that basically instead of following the curved line she had dipped only slightly. She was measuring 38 weeks and I say her weight approx was 7lb 14oz where as if it had followed the line she would of been around 8lb 2oz.

I suppose I will find out on Wednesday what's going on. But another thing that bothered me slightly and like I said didn't realise till I got home. I've gone from being 'low risk' to now 'high risk' but unsure why?

The only thing i could think of was due to going for a growth scan but unsure why that would make me high risk. Also I mentioned that my hands/feet had swelled slightly but not overly. Think it was due to the warm weather.
Just feeling confused with it all.
Can anyone share any light on this.
Would be appreciated.
Many thanks in advance xx

Hi, I'm a midwife and even I'm slightly confused as to why to be honest. Without seeing your growth chart, I can't give you a definite answer why you need a scan but, ignoring the preprinted lines on your chart, if you joined up the crosses (or dot or whatever they've used to mark measurements) of your measurements they should follow a curve. If the last measurement and this measurement meet in a straight line or near enough, there is a worry that the baby hasn't grown in that period.
As for why you are now high risk- you can't just suddenly be completely deemed high risk and have to go to a delivery suite etc. Look at it as being temporarily high risk until your scan- it'll either all be fine and you'll be back to low risk or you will require more investigation and you will continue on a higher risk path. A big issue here seems to be rubbish communication from this midwife who should have explained things much better than she did.
Easy for me to say but try not to worry. Even if the baby hasn't grown, it's not necessarily anything to be massively concerned about. The scan will tell all :). (The same thing happened to me with my baby 8 weeks ago and all was well xxx)

I had growth scans every 4 weeks after my 20 week scan. My midwife explained that it was just easier to get scanned as bump measurements can be hard to go by. Try not to worry about them changing the risk factor, if it was something to worry about she would have explained it and the scan would be done immediately. If you're concerned you could call the community midwives contact number in your notes. Good luck!

I had a growth scan at 37 weeks as my FHM was showing at the 95th centile and they needed to check for excess water. I told them it was just fat (I'm unintentionally carb loading ) and scan confirmed I was right. Baby fine.

I never went up to high risk as far as I know. I'm hoping for homebirth again and mw also wanted to check I wasn't having a ginormous baby. DC1 was 9lb and a homebirth so I'm not overly concerned. Certainly not high risk due to needing another scan.

Sure it will all be fine!

I’ve had to have 2 growth scans this pregnancy, 32 and 36 weeks. Bump measurement at 32 dipped below the line and 34 weeks & 36 weeks was the same so referred for static growth. Both times babies weight from the scan showed him plotting normal so was the put back to midwife led care straight after the scan, no consultant necessary.

Yes it's really strange I have a pic of my growth chart @LS83 so could post if easier.

But basically I was following the 90th centile from week 34 & 36 but this week it's dipped just below that curved 90 centile line. So I'd say it's just above the middle curved line on the chart.

I'm not overly worried as I think from what I have worked out that she should be around 7lb 14 oz this week. So that's still healthy. I think maybe she was worrying as my daughter was 8lb 6oz but I was 40 +6 with her.

I'm not overly worried as long as she is ok, which they will let me know on Wednesday. It's more of the 'high risk' that has baffled me. As I want to give birth in a maternity led unit this time round. And obviously if doctors/midwives see that I'm high risk i doubt that will happen.
xx

Hi, if you feel happy to post it, please do. It could be she is being overcautious which is never a bad thing (though may be a pain getting to an extra appt!). I was being scanned every two weeks which was a nightmare. The weight wouldn't be the worry, if a baby stops growing we worry about the placental function (again, try not to worry about this as it is just as likely to be nothing).
As for the high risk status, this is as fluid as it comes. Unless they find something on scan, they will put you back to low risk and you can birth in an MLU etc. Just make a point of mentioning it at your appt (all being well) if your consultant doesn't.

Thank you @LS83 feeling a little reassured now. Hoping all ok with baby! I'm sure it is. It's mad I can feel her loads more than I did with my first daughter and placenta has been at the front with both of them. Xx
See post below at growth chart @LS83

Thanks for posting. Yes, I would have referred you too. The curve of the measurements should be a gentle one and this does not follow the pattern of growth up to this point. Could be the head becoming engaged or the fact that it was a different midwife measuring. Keep an eye on movements (they sound fab so far) and the usual things, go for your scan and I'm sure all will be found to be fine :)
All was fine with me thanks. I had an induction and he's currently 7 weeks and in his Moses basket as we speak :) x

Aww thank you again @LS83

Aww how lovely!! Congratulations. Can't wait to meet my little cutie. I feel like It's been the longest 38 weeks of my life!
Hoping not too long left any suggestions on how I can move things along a bit quicker.. Don't fancy waiting another 2 weeks! xx

Aw thank you :). He's a little angel! Just the usual- sex, lots of walking and lots of baths and patience haha. This was my first so it's been an eye opener, every day feels like a week so I do sympathise. Fingers crossed that all goes well and baby comes ASAP xx

Any chance your regular MW could squeeze you in for a fundal height measurement on Tuesday if you call her?

This is one of the reasons the same person is meant to measure you every time.

Hopefully she can give you some reassurance if not

Aww how cute! You just can't imagine your life without them can you! xx
I've actually been really active this pregnancy plus my job as a nursery nurse running around with 2-3 yr olds is not where you can rest for long. Only finished work last Friday but still tried to keep active even tho I'm being told to rest. Easier said than done when you have a 4year old who doesn't keep still! Ha ha. Only thing I have got is softening of the pelvis and possibly a touch of sciatica as walking on my left leg is hard going. But pushing through the pain and carrying on. Want this little one out ASAP! xx

@Foodylicious

I have been having all different midwives more towards the beginning of pregnancy. My original midwife is about to get married but seems to be off when my appointment is due. I'm with her on Thursday for a sweep so hoping that starts something off!
As for Wednesday I'm not bothered about going for the scan in a way as it will put my mind at rest plus get to see baby again.
Thanks for the advice tho. x