Growth scan at 36 weeks. What could happen?

[lyd4165]

Hi, currently 34 weeks with baby number 3 and have been referred for a growth scan in two weeks time as I am measuring big. Does anyone have any experience of what will happen or what the reason for this could be. Has anyone turned out to be further along than first thought and had their due date brought forward? Thanks in advance!

Hey ive had two now and im 29 weeks. My bump measurements are measuring 4 weeks ahead and baby is over top line but still following his own line hes technically measuring at 31 week (but this doesnt mean alot) your Due Date wont change no matter what. They will just measure baby and check whats going on. You may just be like me and others and genuinally having a big baby x

Your due date won't be changed at this stage. Fundal height measurements don't always match baby's growth either but can give an indication.

Just chatting to a friend about this as her cousin is measuring big and is getting induced tomorrow approx 2weeks early. This is because they are part of a trial, inducing big babies early in the hope of preventing shoulder issues later.

I had loads of growth scans because the midwife was rubbish at measuring (she got 3 different measurements in one appointment).

On the last one (38 weeks) I was told baby hadn't grown enough so got sent to triage in the maternity ward to see the consultant.
Basically the consultant had to make the decision to induce or not. He chose not and I had another scan 2 weeks later and all was fine.

DD arrived 10 days after that at a healthy 8lb 5oz

Measuring a bump is quite subjective, it may be the scan shows no concerns at all.

If baby has gone up in centiles they may look at getting you to do some blood sugar monitoring and rule out gestational diabetes.

If fluid levels are raised they may do some further tests.

If there's no indicators of diabetes or any other concerns baby may just be big. Occasionally you may get a doctor pushing for you to consider an earlier induction or possibly c-section. Would recommend you really question their rationale for this as it isn't strictly necessary.

Hi, thanks for all the responses ladies! That’s put my mind at ease! My appointment yesterday was the first time anyone’s taken a fundal height measurement of baby. Apparently I’ve “slipped through the net a bit” which wasn’t very reassuring to hear. So it was just a bit concerning as I don’t know whether this is just this baby following his own line or whether this is a sudden growth change as I have no previous measurements to go on. That’s really interesting about the trial @IggyAce as id love nothing more than for my date to be brought forward. Currently due to have a c section at 39+2 on the 23rd December and I am so worried about missing Christmas with my other two little boys. :’( x

Measuring the bumps not always accurate. I was huge, looking like ds was going to be 8lb9.. the midwifes own words “definitely over 8lb”. He was born 6lb 1oz. I didn’t have my bump measured often or started measuring early on either but because he was measuring as a normal/decent size they never sent me for anything more. This time round it’s growth scans because he was small.

I'm 38+5 and have just been for a growth scan this morning because he apparently hasn't grown for 2 weeks. The sonographer said he's fine, measuring neither too big or small and estimate weight is already 8lbs. But they are notoriously inaccurate so I honestly wouldn't worry.

Yeah I’ve heard even the scans can be very inaccurate at predicting weight. I’m guessing this baby will be on the large side as my first was born at 41 weeks - 8lb and my second was 38 weeks- 8.5lbs so who knows how big he’d have got if he’d had the extra 3 weeks his brother did!

Whoops pressed enter too early!!
I then had to have another growth scan at 35 weeks because my bump was suddenly measuring way too small, but again baby size was nothing to worry about. I think bump measurements are very inaccurate, they told me my bump hadn't grown in 3 weeks but I couldn't fit into the same clothes anymore so I'm sure it had! I just didnt worry too much about the scans, it was nice to have the extra check and see the wee baby again though!