Why the extra scan?

[normanpricesucks]

Was called earlier today about booking a 16 week appt with the midwife. The woman didn't do anything on the phone but said she'd put the appt on the badger app so to check there. Phone call was a bit strange as the whole call seemed pointless... anyway I've checked a little while ago and all my midwife appts have been booked up until 38 weeks.

My 12 week scan was already booked in for this week. My 20 week scan has not yet been scheduled as part of these appts that have been booked in but a scan at 36 weeks has?

I have had unexplained bleeding throughout and numerous early scans - the last being at 10+4 where everything was fine. I am also rhesus negative and was previously induced due to reduced movements. I did have a scan around 35 weeks last time due to growth concerns but it was all fine and even at the scan they were confused as to why I was there as nothing suggested the baby was too big/small or changes in growth based on measurements from midwife. So not as if I have particularly big/small babies.
Just wondering what, if anything so far, would have triggered this 36 week scan? Have been really anxious this time round and this has worried me slightly...

I had one automatically booked in for 35 weeks because I'd had a c section for my first pregnancy . Did you have a c section?

36 week scan is standard in a lot of trusts now, it’s likely the same at yours. It’s shown to improve birth outcomes.

Some trusts have introduced a 36 week presentation scan to check that baby is presenting as head down. This is the most likely reason for a one off scan being arranged. The other reason could be a low lying placenta, but you would only pick that up at your 20 week scan, and the scan is done around 32 weeks usually.
So most likely the 36 week scan is a routine presentation scan. Just be aware that babies can turn after 36 weeks even if they are head down on the scan. This is why most trusts aren't doing them as routine.

@Scarletpig1 no c-section. Wouldn't be looking for one this time round either. Know usually women have scans at that point if baby is suspected breech or concerns about size. Obviously I'm months off either of those things being a an issue yet... will keep googling lol.

@Megan2018 and @ThisMustBeMyDream thank you!! Very good to know. Friend just delivered at the same trust a few weeks ago so will ask her if she had similar.

I would phone your midwife team and just ask - esp if they haven't booked your 20wk scan yet. I had a text saying I had my first scan on 25 October but my letter says 25th Nov. I phoned and they confirmed it was an error in the system. I'm also Rhesus negative and it's not an automatic risk marker. They might give you the anti-D injections but there wouldn't automatically be extra scans because of that. My son is also Rhesus negative so I don't think I need the injections because my blood can never have mixed with rhesus positive blood if that makes sense, but I'm awaiting definite confirmation.

I had my first child last year and did get a 36 week scan but only because of a potential issue at the 20 week scan. I'm now expecting my 2nd and have been booked in for a 36 week scan, and was told that three was now standard. It's a different hospital and trust, so don't know if that's the reason.
Ultimately, seeing the baby again and getting more photos is fine with me :).

It's a new thing for all pregnancies booked in after 1st July. As previously said it's meant to check presentation for birth

Not in the majority of Trusts. It isn't NHS wide @Crazydoglady123

I had mine last week. I was told it’s to check presentation of baby and also estimate size

If it's on the badger app it might be an error, I had one pop up a couple of months ago and all it said was ANC (antenatal clinic), didn't say who it was with or what it was for, when I spoke to my community midwives they confirmed they could see it on my app but there was nothing on the hospitals system showing an appointment for me so just to ignore it. Mention it to your midwife at your next appointment, if it's a standard thing your trust have brought in she will know, if not can check what it is for.

My trust does a standard 36 week scan to measure baby's size.

I was also automatically booked a 36 week scan before I'd had my 20 week one, it appeared in Badger Notes without my knowing! Seems to be standard where I am (St Helier hospital in Sutton)

Thanks all. Checked today and it's a new thing introduced to check on size/positioning ahead of labour. @ButFirstTea exact same hospital, thanks!!

Standard position check one

My midwife said the 36wk scan is to check size as at 20wks all babies are the same size, it's only after this that mums lifestyle or other factors can cause bigger or smaller babies and they need to know size issues in case things need to change for the birth e.g. early induction for bigger babies.

@normanpricesucks no way, amazing! Tbh so far I've only had 2 midwife appts and 2 standard scans (plus an early scan because I was panicking!) but everyone seems lovely! If you need to ring to speak to someone you're often on hold for aaaages though so prepare for a wait!

Just to mention that you can’t usually get photos of the late scans, so don’t be disappointed! Once they get to a certain size there’s nothing distinguishable. The scans themselves were still great though.
I had loads of scans after 20 weeks as I took part in a piece of research (I happened to fit a profile they were researching at the time) and there was a cut off for images.

@ButFirstTea yeah I remember them being slow to answer phones when I had my first there a few years ago. They have a bad rep among my friends but they've been fine for me so far

@Megan2018 that's a good point, I remember from last time too from when I had a growth scan you can't see the whole baby like at 12 weeks as they're too big. I've got early scan pictures coming out of my ears though so that's fine by me. Glad it's not something high risk I haven't been told about yet.