New third NHS scan?

[authenticallyclara]

Hey there!

Just a quick q - has anyone else been offered a third routine scan with the NHS? I was told by my midwife at my booking appointment that it was a new routine growth scan that the NHS were rolling out around 36 weeks. However I'm confused because my sister-in-law (who is also pregnant, has the same due date as me and is registered at the same hospital as me) has not been offered this scan. Should I be concerned that they're offering me another scan? My first pregnancy was completely normal so just a bit confused.

Thanks in advance!

It varies between trusts. When I had DD1 I was under Kings and three scans was the norm, at 12, 22 and 32 weeks. Some trusts do a routine 36 week scan as it can help to pick up issues which might affect the birth. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.

They may be rolling out a pilot to see if it's worth it and your number was selected. If you're a couple years older than your SIL it could be that.

My dd is 6 and I wasn't offered a 36 week scan. I'm 36 weeks now and just had my 36 week scan.

Sounds brilliant to me.

It depends on the trust. Some offer an additional scan at 36 weeks.

If it wasn’t routine then they would tell you the reason. Like others say it could be a pilot or just for women of certain ages etc. It’d be weird to hide something from you. People get extra scans all the time and they’re informed of the reason, so they wouldn’t keep something from you.

I had 3 because of my age (at 16). Not sure if it's common though. I'd imagine if there's risks they might offer an extra

Not done in my area, only 2 as standard.
When I saw my consultant earlier this week I asked if I would have growth scans later on as I have a history of very big babies but she said not unless I measure ahead on fundal height. My last pregnancy was twins so I had scans every 4 weeks, hard to go back to few scans with a singleton.

I've heard quite a few trusts are trialling this now.
I think it's a great idea!

No, you shouldn't be concerned.
Just feel grateful you're getting an extra

They don't do it in my area but sounds like a great idea, baby was average sized at my 29 week scan, if they d had done one at 36 weeks I would have known he was going to be a big baby

That’s great OP that they are trialing it in your area. It’s standard in some trusts but not others so hopefully it will be expanded.

I read up about this is few years ago as the UK has a high stillbirth rate compared to other developed countries and an extra scan could identify issues that could reduce the risk.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29367001.amp

It’s about time they finally introduced a routine third trimester scan. Our stillbirth rate is a disgrace. Glad you’re getting this OP.

It’s routine in my trust to have 3 scans. I’ve had my 12 and 20 weeks scans and my next one is at 35 weeks

Yep, my trust has been doing this for a while. I had my last baby two and a half years ago and I was scanned routinely at 36 weeks. It's something they've brought in (I think they were trialing it in 2018 when I had it) to help reduce the risk of still births. Idea being that if there was a problem at 36 weeks they could pick it up and get baby delivered early/quickly if needs be.

Routine here in Oxfordshire to have 12, 20 and 36 weeks. I think it's really positive.

If it wasn't routine they would tell you. Maybe it's just done by your postcode at the moment even though you and your sister-in-law doesn't fall in that area?

Thank you for all your lovely and helpful replies! I also thinks it's a great idea and a way of checking for any possible problems right before hitting full-term. I'm very grateful to have been offered it, just curious!

Yes I had one. It comes from a study showing the stillbirth risk is decreased by an extra scan at that gestation.

With my trust i recieve 3 additional growth scans after the 20 week scan