What happens at a "placenta scan"@32 weeks?

[FirstTim3Mummy]

Will they also do baby measurements or purely look at placenta position? Just curious how big he is! I'm guessing my placenta will be far enough from cervix by now but they need to check as it was too low at 20 weeks scan

Anyone know exactly what they look at?

In my Trust we would do a 'growth scan' of the baby, which is measuring 3 parts and checking baby is growing as expected. It is occasionally necessary to do an internal scan to check the placenta, depending on baby's position. Hopefully you can see baby's face etc again but again, depending on baby's position, it's not always possible.

I had a placenta scan at 32 weeks, 4 weeks ago. At my trust they scanned to find the placenta first. Mine had moved away from the cervix, that far away she didn't even bother measuring the distance, it just says 'no longer obstructive' or something like that in my notes. She just got another sonographer to double check, who agreed with her the exit was now clear! Hurrah!

My baby was/is breech so we got a great view of her face. She then measured the baby, the head, stomach and leg length (I think) which she plotted on to a chart and gave an estimated weight from. She asked if we wanted any photos which of course we did! She did all the usual checks too, like looking at amniotic fluid levels, heart beat etc which is all printed out and put in to your notes.

It was lovely to see the baby again. I hope this helps, shout if you have any questions :)

Mine last week (at 35 weeks) was exactly as Hayesdays described although we didn't get asked if we wanted photos. The sonographer did heavily caveat that the weight was not that reliable, which I found helpful given the threads on here where you see people reporting wholly inaccurate estimates!

Mine was the same as Hayesdays too, but I wasn't offered a photo. I was so pleased to see my baby a again but disappointed that I didn't take DH with me too - I'd only expected them to check the placenta so told him he needn't bother coming!

Same for me :) I had mine at 35 weeks and they checked the placenta distance, the fluid levels, the umbilical cord, took measurements to plot on the chart and also checked babys position (had been breech right up until the scan). It took about 10-15 minutes and she also gave us a good look at babys face (as good as you can get on the normal scans)

Oh something I forgot to mention, after the scan I had to wait around a bit to see a consultant who had to review the scan paperwork and sort of "sign me off" to have a low risk birth...which is now pending the baby turning from breech (joy!). I had blood pressure taken and had to give a urine sample at this point too. So be prepared that you may have to hang around a bit afterwards, I think the scan and seeing the consultant took about 2 hours all in all.