May need referral for a growth scan at 36 weeks (never had one before) is this normal?

[babydavies]

Hi guys,

Im a first time mum, 22. (very worrying by itself!), I had a MW appointment today where they measured my bump.

Last apt at 32 weeks I was over the 95th percentile - Same again at 34 weeks. My MW said she isn't too concerned that its over because the chart is still showing a curve.. HOWEVER did then go onto say she will need to check at my next apt (36 weeks) and may need to refer me for a growth scan.

MW didn't say anything more about this, just said 'just to see how small the baby is that's all' (which is confusing considering its measuring bigger?)

Really starting to get freaked out now as there is soooo many unanswered questions! can anyone help me out :(

1. Does having a growth scan mean there is something wrong?
2. Is it common to be measuring bigger when you were originally overweight before pregnancy?
3. Does this mean I have to go from midwifery-led to consultant led?
4. Does this mean I cant have water birth or use a birthing suite instead of a labour ward?
5. does this put me as a high risk instead of 'low risk'?

Sorry guys- any feedback would be GREAT!!

Just bumping this thread for you, OP - hopefully there'll be some MNers along soon with some advice and support.

@babydavies

I don’t have any answers to your questions unfortunately - I’m 23 weeks with my first so haven’t started having my bump measured yet but I have had a couple of appointments where I’ve gone away worried about a few things and ended up ringing the midwives again just to get some reassurance.

I think the best you can do is to ring your midwife again and just say that you’re a bit worried about the possibility of a growth scan - hopefully she can answer your questions and alleviate your worries. Try not to google though, I’ve fallen into the google trap many times and it never helps me!

Also if your MW was overly concerned, I’d imagine she’d have booked you in for a growth scan straight away so hopefully that’s a good sign!

I had a 36 week growth scan in my first pregnancy because I was losing weight. Ds was six pounds nine ounces at birth and is now a tall skinny 4 year old who runs everywhere.

I remained midwife led, started labour on the MLU and only became high risk when it became obvious that I was indeed correct and he was stuck in my less than optimal pelvis with a giant head (none of which was at all related to the reasons why I was referred for the scan). Obviously if something is picked up, they check the blood flow through the placenta etc as well as measurements for baby and the fluid levels, then your risk level may change but otherwise it won't.

Hi OP growth scans are very common so don’t panic. I had them throughout my first pregnancy as measured small, I am booked in for them from 28 weeks with this one too as my first DC was small. I will have them at 28 / 32 / 36 weeks.

I am high risk and consultant lead but that is because of need internal scans due to previous lletz. My first was also seen as having SGA (small gestational age).

It actually makes no difference as I still see the midwife as planned I just get extra appointments every two weeks with the consultant (soon to be four weeks).

I couldn’t go the birthing unit but I wouldn’t want too as the nearest proper hospital is 15 miles from it so given my labour with my first I wouldn’t risk it.

1. Does having a growth scan mean there is something wrong?

no it doesn’t mean something is wrong, the midwife uses a tape measure to measure the bump, this indicates your bump is bigger, this doesn’t mean your baby is bigger. The growth scan will give you an accurate look at how big / small baby is and what percentile it is on.

1. Is it common to be measuring bigger when you were originally overweight before pregnancy?

the size of the bump doesn’t really have anything to do with weight, it could be the size of placenta, the amount of water etc there are lots of factors.

1. Does this mean I have to go from midwifery-led to consultant led?

Wait and see what the growth scans brings IF you need one after 36 weeks. You might not, you would see a consultant after the scan - this doesn’t mean you are consultant lead

1. Does this mean I cant have water birth or use a birthing suite instead of a labour ward?

as above, just because the baby is bigger doesn’t mean you can’t have a natural birth. I went into labour naturally with my first even though I’d had growth scans from 30 weeks

1. does this put me as a high risk instead of 'low risk'?

no as your not even booked in for a growth scan yet, it might just be a possibility

Also with my first I measured four weeks behind, she rang up and booked me in for a growth scan the same day.... so your midwife IF she had immediate concerns would have done the same

It's standard protocol. If babies deviate from the curve externally they scan for growth and blood flow, if any concerns they will book you in for another scan the following week. It's simply following guidelines not because they have detected anything wrong - babies can tail off growth at this point so it's common without a "bad" reason but they are cautious

I had growth scans for both DS and DD and both were perfectly average at birth. Different midwives measured me slightly differently making growth look slow.

Growth scans are very common, so I wouldn’t worry too much. I had 3 growth scans as I measured bigger all the way through. The scans found that I had a lot of amniotic fluid and measured baby as being on 98th percentile for weight. They tried to induce me early due to potential risk of shoulder dystocia as she was measuring so big (was completely my choice though, consultant just recommended it). However my induction failed twice so I ended up choosing to have a c section (again my choice) and ended up with a large baby (10lb 2oz) but no complications, healthy and happy.

Hi,

I have a 12 week old. At around 32 weeks I was measuring full term. I was MASSIVE. Everyone thought i was going to have a beast of a baby.

I got referred for a growth scan to check for either a) a massive baby or b) excess fluids but there loads of mess ups at the hospital and I didn't get the scan till I was 37 or 38 weeks.

Turns out baby was totally normal sized, and my fluid was normal - I was just massive. He was born at 39 weeks weighing 7lb 14

To answer your questions:

1. Does having a growth scan mean there is something wrong

No - they're just ruling anything out they need to be aware of (for example excess fluid can mean they don't want your waters to break naturally so they'll try to be the ones to do it)

1. Is it common to be measuring bigger when you were originally overweight before pregnancy?

Possibly - I was overweight before pregnancy, I didn't even put that much weight on, it just seemed to shift

The answer to your last 3 is basically - it depends on if anything is found that concerns them - but it doesn't mean it's an absolute definite

1. Does this mean I have to go from midwifery-led to consultant led?
2. Does this mean I cant have water birth or use a birthing suite instead of a labour ward?
3. does this put me as a high risk instead of 'low risk'?

Totally normal dont worry. I was measuring 3 weeks ahead throughout and then had 'static growth' no change in belly but baby was fine. The scans are very inaccurate though I was told she was about 6.8 she was 8.6! And I've heard of many stories where measurements are way off. Dont worry x

Oh also. My scan was absolutely spot on for the size he arrived at

I had a growth scan at 34 weeks as they measured my bump and it wasn't following the curve anymore.
Scan went fine turned put measurement had altered slightly cause he was fully engaged and something about waters to one side.
He was born a healthy 7lb 8oz at 40+2

I’m 32 weeks at present. I saw my midwife on Thursday and she measured my bump. Apparently it’s smaller than the last measurement.

At my next appointment if it’s still smaller I’m going to be sent for a growth scan.

She’s not overly concerned though as said it could be down to the positioning of baby.

Super common. I've been having them every 2 weeks between 25-32 weeks and then every week since then. Now at 38+6. My baby is measuring a small - at around the 14 percentile but lower for abdomen (approx 4-10). Not worried as it's following a curve but it's good to get measured. Also remember there's a 10-20% error margin in growth scan measurements. My baby's femur shrank last measurement. Haha. Baby just wasn't at the right angle to get decent measurements. Don't worry. I'm sure it's fine.