20 week scan….no more scans?!

[Waitandsee86]

I had my 20 week scan (well over 2 scans as baby wasn’t on right place), it was all fine and nothing untoward, which is fantastic. However, I was shocked when the sonographer said I’ll next see him when I’ve popped him out!! I thought there would be more growth scans? I mean how do they decide if someone needs a caesarean etc?!
Obviously this is normal and he wasn’t making it up but I really thought there was a scan towards the end? Any input welcomed 🤣🤣🤣

I find this strange but I have had both of my babies abroad, with private health care. I had a scan every month, and then towards the end every 2 weeks and then weekly in the last month. I don’t think 2 is enough at all, so if you feel uneasy and can afford it go private and book some more.

I thought that but ended up with loads more. I had planned to book private ones. The good thing is they start kicking and you don’t feel you need to scans as much for reassurance as you did earlier on. I had two growth scans due to my bump measuring small then had a low placenta so had 3 scans for it!

Once the anomaly scan is concluded then there really isn't more need to scan. It would be a complete waste of nhs resources.

Your baby won't develop more anomalies, that's why it's done at 20 weeks. It's the optimal time.

If, however, the anomaly scan picks something up you normally need further scans.

I think people forget that pregnancy, although it's monitored within a hospital setting, isn't an illness. So once the risk has been minimised at the 20 week scan the midwife is the best person to carry forward monitoring.

An anxious mother to be will always be reassured by her baby's heartbeat. You don't need a scan to check this. Midwives check the heartbeat this every time. Years ago only they could hear it, now it's audible so the mother can also hear it.

I am suffering from anxiety but also have low papp a so was offer extra growth scans. I feel extremely lucky to have these extra scans. Although it may not for some it does ease my anxiety. I also think there is an argument for everyone to have at least on more scan whether that be 34 or 36 weeks. Due to having extra scans it was discovered my baby has an issue with her left kidney. This only developed later after the 20 weeks scan. Unfortunately the NHS is as we all know overstretched so the likelihood of an extra scan an every trust is slim.

They don't provide reassurance, there's often some kind of measurement that causes concern that turns out to be dodgy when baby comes out totally average.

I ended up with 4 more scans because the midwife was worried about the size / whether I was carrying excess fluid 3 times and then they couldn’t figure out the babies position another time

the midwife appointments you have in between pick up things too and will hook you a scan if they feel it’s needed

Because I was having growth scans the midwives never measured my bump once!

I disagree. As someone who is having extra scans it is reassuring for me. I don’t think you can make a blanket statement that they are not. It’s up to the individual.

No worries! And thank you, I now have a healthy baby boy of 9 weeks ❤️Incidentally I did have geststional diabetes so had extra scans and had a caesarean. A scary time as he hd cord wrapped twice round his neck but was right as rain after a spell in NICU!

Certainly not true.

There are serious conditions that cannot possibly show up before 20 weeks. That's why most other countries offer monthly scans.

I think the UK should offer monthly scans as a matter of course.

My daughter measured correctly at her 28 wk midwife check and was falsely reassured.

At 30 wks she happened to pay for a 3D scan and was sent straight to her local hospital.

There she was told that the baby had duodenal atresia (which cannot be picked up until 28 wks) and was small for dates, she also had polyhydramnios. With these findings the baby was given a 40% chance of Downs Syndrome. She was eventually sent home with lots of leaflets and DVD information on this syndrome. She was devastated.

She had an amniocentesis the same day and had to wait an agonising 16 days to have it confirmed that the baby did not have chromosomal abnormalities, although she had, by that time, come to terms with having a Downs baby.

The amniocentesis collapsed the membranes around the baby and she struggled with contractions for another 4 weeks before the baby was born. They were trying to stop the contractions and get her to 36 wks as the baby was very small due to the atresia.

Luckily, because she 'accidentally' found out about the atresia, a surgical team was arranged well in advance and her baby had surgery within 12 hrs of birth. There followed a long 6 wks in NICU (was told to expect two weeks in NICU) as there were serious complications as a result of the surgery.

The surgeon told her that it's known that some babies are born with this condition without prior knowledge and it can lead to tragic consequences as the babies are fed, inhale the contents of their stomachs into their lungs (due to complete blockage) which has led to some deaths.

So we thank god that she decided to have a 'frivolous' private 3D scan.

So there is a very good reason to be scanned monthly during pregnancy.