Foetal Growth Scans??

[Court28]

Hi all!

I've recently received three appointments for foetal growth scans. I originally queried it with reception who had no notes as to what it was for other than it saying I'm a smoker, however I haven't smoked since I found out I was pregnant, currently 24+5 weeks and I found out I was pregnant roughly at four weeks so quite early! Everyone seems a tad bit confused as to why I've got these scans and keep going off the basis of me being a smoker however my notes also state that I'm not a smoker?
I'm slightly worried as we had a private scan at 21 weeks and the sonographer was amazed that I was 20 weeks and kept asking if I definitely had my 20 week scan as baby was tiny.
Am I missing something? Does this sound right? I've heard ex smokers have one growth scan at most but I've not heard three being booked in?

Thanks in advance xox

Did you have any other risk factors at booking? The form should be in your notes as well as anything else that's been written. When I saw my consultant she always wrote in what she was booking and why (eg. Growth scans at 28,32 and 36 for X risk factor).

Sometimes they do prefer to cover all bases for high risk pregnancies, although the scans have a massive margin for error.

Is your bmi low or any low iron in the past?

Smoking even that early can cause growth issues that’s why it’s recommended to give it up before trying to conceive. View them as a positive. Judging by the last scan the baby is small so it won’t harm to get the baby and you checked over. 20 weeks is the time when stuff like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes can be discovered too and both can cause growth restriction

Hi @majesticallyawkward - I have been referred to a consultant but nobody can tell me why either. I have been investigated for heart conditions previously and I do have PCOS but I’m not overly sure if that’s the cause?Everything isn’t clear to be honest, nothing is in my notes and even reception couldn’t find a clear reason as to why I’ve been referred for these scans. Just feels like nobody is sure what’s going on and I feel a bit left in the dark x
@Anon000 - I was anaemic, however last blood test (2 years ago) they investigated my anaemia and said I no longer have it. Don’t think there’s any issues with my BMI either x
@GrumpyHoonMain - thank you! Unfortunately, we weren’t TTC otherwise I would of stopped as soon as! I’m trying to look at the scans as a positive as I know I should be grateful but I feel so in the dark as to what’s going on and worried I’m not being told something x

Thanks ladies for your help

I'm having growth scans too because I had GD in my previous pregnancy, though not this one, and they booked me in for three (28, 32 and 36 weeks). I asked the sonographer the reason and she looked on the computer notes and told me.

Maybe at your 20 week NHS scan they noted baby was a bit small - it should say on the scan report in your notes estimated age by dates vs scan - and they just want to keep an eye. Although it's not that clear, if there was something to worry about they would have told you.

Have a good look through your notes and the reasons might become clearer but if not, ring your midwife and ask her. If she doesn't know then ask her to find out xx

Hi @SerBrienneOfHouseTarth

It was reception who looked at my notes but said there was nothing in there to say why I had been referred. My 20 week scan they said everything was fine and is still in line with an average size when plotted on the graph just in between small and average. It was a private gender scan who sounded concerned with the baby’s size but whether he followed it up I don’t know.
I dropped my midwife a text and she came back within seconds and basically reiterated what I put in the text to her; saying it was to do with me smoking but I keep reading that people have none/ maximum one growth scan for smoking not three however as nice as I can say this, my midwife did tell me that I had been referred to a consultant for one reason and that wasn’t actually the case when I asked the consultant. I feel a bit passed from pillar to post and nobody can give me an accurate answer which is very frustrating. Xx

That does sound quite frustrating! I think your best bet might be to press the consultant for a detailed explanation if you're comfortable with doing that.

I understand the frustration. I've felt that communication hasn't been the best from my midwife either, she's lovely but there's been no discussion of options or reasons for xy or z just saying you need to do this and do that.... I feel like it's just expected that I go along with everything, and while I don't disagree with any aspect of my care, I would like to have an informed discussion about it! x

Hi @SerBrienneOfHouseTarth Thanks so much for your advice! I think I will have to press my consultant and see what his reasonings are.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels somewhat annoyed with communication. Thanks for your advice, you have been truly great and I hope you have a lovely pregnancy and birth!! Xxx

Aww thanks! Same to you too xx