Would you be worried?

[MrsR1216]

After a growth scan at 37 weeks, it has shown no growth in head circumference since 34 weeks. All other measurements were normal and has shown to follow the growth charts.

Would you be worried?

DH thinks I’m being irrational but I can’t stop thinking about it. Doctors are refusing to give me any additional scans or monitoring so they clearly don’t think it’s a cause for concern either. I’m considering paying for a private scan to try and reassure myself.

I'm surprised your doctors aren't worried. I had a scan at 40 weeks which apparently showed no growth between 36 and 40 weeks and meant baby would be born with a small head. The consultant wanted to book me in for induction. I'm not actually sure what the problem might be but I think there was concern that the placenta wasn't functioning well. As it was I had the baby the next day after a sweep and his head measured around the 50th centile not the 5th as the scan suggested. I think my baby was low down and they were unable to get an accurate measurement but given how keen my consultant was to induce me ASAP I think you need to ask what might be causing no head growth and what the risks and benefits are of waiting and not monitoring.

Their argument was that it is difficult to get an accurate head circumference measurement late on, which I completely understand but think I should have been at least offered additional monitoring or a follow up scan.

I just feel I’ve been left to worry now until labour. All they’ve said is if I have reduced movement to go in for monitoring (like I would normally anyway) but this baby doesn’t really have a set pattern like my others so it’s hard to tell if it is reduced.

I personally would push for another scan or pay for one privately

Yes I think I will have to pay for a private one though as I’ve phoned again today and they’ve said both a registrar and his senior have looked at the graph and don’t think that there’s a cause for concern as her head is still measuring on 9th percentile (even though there has been a drop from 50th). Therefore no further monitoring is required.

I had to have a scan at over 36 weeks a couple of times with my daughter for a different reason. Some of her measurements had dropped centiles but they said as the baby gets bigger and moves further down, things get a little squished so the measurements are often off. They were right in my case

Good luck with this I hope you find reassurance soon.

The doctors had told my mum my sister had a ‘small head’ and it worried her the whole rest of the pregnancy. My sister was born with no problems (and a normal sized head).

In my experience doctors are over cautious when you’re pregnant and don’t take any chances so if they aren’t worried then I would try not to worry too

My niece and nephew both have a 'small head' it just means in comparison to their height and weight it doesn't match up 'on the charts' but you don't look at either of them and think 'there heads look small'

Its all to do with charts graphs and averages! Try not to worry to much xx

Also, there might not be much more growth after 37 weeks so scanning again would just be the same measurements.... I’m sure they would scan again if they felt it would help judge it better or thought it was needed. Speak to your midwife for clarification before paying for a scan.