What to expect from a growth scan?

[Baby2018]

Hey ladies

Just wondering what to expect from a growth scan and what the implications are for a small baby if any? I had one measurement of my bump a few weeks ago where the baby was 1cm under and the last measurement I had yesterday at 36 weeks baby was 3cm under so Im being sent for a growth scan. If the baby is deemed as small what happens next? the heartbeat was totally normal when they monitored it

Sometimes if the baby is small they will induce a little early. My bump measured small but my growth scans always showed that my DD was growing as expected and her birth weight was good. The bump measuring can be quite inaccurate.

I'm going through this at the moment. Currently 35 weeks and was referred for a growth scan at 33 weeks because the midwife thought I was measuring big (95th centile). At the scan they said I was actually measuring small (5th centile). They only had that measurement to go off, as they deemed the midwife measurements to be inaccurate, so they weren't sure if if was just a small baby or if there was a problem. They said they could only do a second growth scan in 2 weeks time as it wouldn't be accurate to do it any sooner. They talked about the possibility of early delivery and gave me steroid injections to help mature the baby's lungs in case they had to come early. I've just had my second growth scan and although baby is still measuring small there has been some growth in the last two weeks so the plan at the moment is to get me to 37 weeks (as that is considered full term) and induce. Unless at my next scan there has been significant growth in which case they will continue to monitor past 37 weeks. At the moment I'm measuring about 3 weeks behind where I should be. In between growth scans on a weekly basis I am having Doppler scans to check the functionality of the placenta and fluid levels (thankfully these have been fine so far). They have also told me to be extra mindful of movements and call straight away if I think there is a problem (which is bit difficult for me as I have an anterior placenta so don't feel loads). That's just my experience anyway. Hope all goes well for you.

Ok thanks both, I was actually in for reduced movements when they measured and said my bump was small

I didnt realise they could induce for a small baby I thought they'd want to try to keep it in there as long as possible so it had more time to put weight on so thats good to know and prepare for thank you!

The way it was explained to me was that if they are concerned that the baby is small because there is a problem, it is best to get them out so that they can intervene and provide medical care. This will be discussed with you fully though and it seems that they will try and carry on monitoring week by week as long as possible. Measurements (even ultrasound scans) are also notoriously inaccurate so it's a difficult decision to make.

I had 3 in the third trimester due to measuring increasingly behind. By 39 + 3 I measured nearly 9cm behind, but baby was growing fine! I'm petite, so I'm pretty sure that's why my bump was so small! What it did pick up though was raised pressure in the cord (they referred to this as 'raised dopplers') so I was induced at 39+6. It's much harder to see the baby properly in a growth scan, as they are too big by that stage! Also, the estimated weight can be inaccurate, so don't assume the estimated weight is correct. Hope your scan goes well!

I had growth scans with all my 4. I always measured 4-6 weeks small then the scans showed either a normal or slightly small baby.

The baby they were most concerned about, even after scans, predicted a birth weight of only 6lbs ended up being 9lbs! I don't believe what they tell me anymore and tell them I think it's a waste of time and money and I'm only going along with it to appease them! They've said the same things with all 4 of my babies and the smallest was 7lb 15oz

I didnt get my first scan untill i was around 20 weeks n they didnt know how far along i was but baby was measuring small, they just keep an eye on it xx

I'm going through this just now (I have another thread about it somewhere).

I get mine every 2 weeks at the moment, although at 35 weeks they have said it will probably change to weekly ctgs but still fortnightly growth scans - apparently they can only do accurate measurements fortnightly.

I get a can first which checks the measurements, dopplers, and fluid levels. I then go through to a midwife and get a ctg for the baby, which goes on for about an hour.
So far baby has measured below the 10th each time but following that curve.

I am meeting with the consultant at the end of this week, by then I will have had 4 scans. I can't give you any information on what they are suggesting because I still don't know myself! I do find it all very vague and each time we are left feeling in limbo.

Hope all goes well, everyone says don't worry but it's your baby so obviously you will - just don't be afraid to ask your midwives lots of questions, I found that helped a lot x

Thanks guys, I had the scan today and they said the baby's head is very low in my pelvis and that I don't have a lot of amniotic fluid which is why my bump looks small. They've advised me to drink a bit more but I am intrigued that they think the head is very low, I wonder if that might mean the baby might come a bit earlier? they didnt say. If my bump is still small in the next measurement they are going to do another scan.