Growth Scan advice?

[Dvh149]

Hello, I am 36 + 4 today with my first pregnancy and at my midwife appointment last week my bump was measuring 1 cm bigger than it should be (37cm instead of 36 cm) My midwife booked me for a growth scan on Thursday this week to check the size of the baby and mentioned that if the baby is measuring big then I might need to hang around and see a consultant regarding an induction. This all seems a bit sudden/extreme to me. I have been very lucky to have had a straightforward pregnancy and this is the first time I have measured big. Does any one have any experience of anything similar as I have been worrying about it for the last few days.

I had a growth scan around the same time for opposite, my measurements hadn't changed over a few weeks.

They measured and estimated all grand and 7lb 4oz, but the sonographer said it was pointless as there was no scan between that and 20 weeks to plot size. They tried to get me to induce but we questioned if there was any medical need which there wasn't! The lovely midwife who was there also told us she didn't know why the consultants said this.

Anyway DD arrived at 39+6, weighing 6lbs so they were totally off mark! She's a healthy wee thing and will be 1 in a few weeks.

I'm a FTM too, follow your EBRAN and advocate for yourselves.

You don’t need to accept the scan or induction.
NICE guidelines are suspected large baby is not a reason to induce. Look up Dr Sarah wickhams research (she’s on Instagram too).
I went for a scan for a different reason and was told 9 pound 13 and given the option of section or induction. I did neither but had a sweep (which I wouldn’t have again!) and had my 8 pound 4 daughter no issues 5 days later!

I got sent for CONSTANT scans from being about 34 weeks on, as did most of my friends. We realised after about the fourth scan that the sonographers had a new machine they wanted to test out, so were calling all the women in for scans at all stages to see how the machine worked!
It's nothing to worry about - the whole measuring tape method is fairly hit and miss and they just send you in to double check everything is ok.
You don't have to agree to an induction (I personally wouldn't but it depends on circumstance) and also you don't have to agree to anything on the spot - you can go away with your partner/friend/birthing partner and have a coffee or sleep on it and decide what's best for you

Oh and to add I was sent to scans as my baby was measuring small and I gave birth at 40+1 to an 8lbs baby so I don't think they have the faintest clue what they're talking about with the measurements lol

I'm not sure why your being sent for a scan being 1cm bigger, I'm sure 2cm either way I'd 'normal' so it seems a bit of an unnecessary stress for you?
Never the less, I got sent for a growth scan on DD1 for measuring 'large" they told me at 36 weeks she was already 7lb, she was born at 41 weeks 7lb 15oz...
I'm pregnant with DS1 now and have had a series of growth scans because he's consistently big

@Dvh149 I agree with @Loulou1712 - I also thought it was 2cm either way before they raised an issue 🤷

Thank you for all the advice. I have heard as well they don't usually send you for a growth scan unless you are 2cm over or under, so it does seem strange. I don't mind going, I have just been panicking a bit, as they mentioned induction and I don't want to be induced unless really necessary. I feel more informed about it now so thank you. I will update with what they say on Thursday. Thank you 😊

I really wouldn’t worry. I have my 3rd growth scan tomorrow .. after speaking to friends/family about it they have all said they got sent for a growth scan at some point (or multiple like me!!)
even the growth scans aren’t that accurate.. (and the tape measurements definitely are not - I have been told my baby has SHRUNK which is obviously not true. )
anyway all my friends have said they got told the babies estimated weight and they were not very accurate when the baby was born so really take it with a pinch of salt I know I am.

Please don't worry! They have to err on the side of caution with these things. I had loads of growth scans in both of my pregnancies. Too big, too small, fine but got from too small to fine too quickly... you name it, I had it! In my last pregnancy I had a total of 5 growth scans I think. I have 2 perfect and healthy children. Everything was ok. Growth scans are very common.

In my area I was told they didn't scan if measuring big, only if it looked like growth was slowing. This was because they wouldn't recommend inducing/doing anything about it. I'm in England.

The tape measure is very inaccurate. I got sent for a growth scan as was measuring on 2nd centile and had dropped from 10th so they were worried about baby being small. Growth scan measurements were 90th centile!

It’s 4cm either way here before they send you in for a growth scan and again, only if it’s not consistent.

I’ve measured 3cm bigger the whole way along and they are very much not bothered. No way on Earth would I accept an induction anyway.

Hi, sorry to jump on this thread. Hello 👋
Does anyone have experience with growth scans? My bump measured too big at 31 weeks so I was sent for a growth scan to be told I had increased fluid but the baby was measuring small. On the 10th centile. The head circumference was on the 5th centile. I've had 2 more scans since and the baby is following the curve on the 10th centile but the head is now under the 5th. The estimated weight at 36 weeks was 5lb 8. I had viral blood screens done which showed I've had CMV infection but not recent apparently. The consultant didn't seem overly concerned but Google (I know I shouldn't look) brings up some terrifying stuff.
I'm being induced a few days before my due date because of the fluid but I'm terrified there's something wrong. Should I be concerned with the head size? Or the baby measuring small? I never had any of this with my first child. Thanks