37 week growth scan - consultant referral

[SMD16]

Hey

Does anyone know what I should expect at a consultant appt? I had a 2nd growth scan today at 37+3 and baby had dropped from 50th to 40th so I've been referred to the consultant- the appt is Friday but I just want to know what the basics of the appt are.

They’ll likely just scan you again and do a general check on your health.
This is standard procedure when growth has either a drop or jump outside of the “average” line they like to see.
It’s Probably absolutely nothing to worry about, you can have quite big variances in growth size between two different people scanning you on the same day, it’s not an exact science by any means!

Thank you @MargaritMargo. Does this mean the consultant could scan me again then?

I must admit my charts are fun ones to look at! Not that I pay much attention to the fundal height - some weeks I'm 50th, some I'm off the charts.

I know my trust (in 2021) wouldn't do another growth scan, they said it was only accurate if done every 2 weeks.

I had a growth scan at 37 weeks and my growth had dropped, I'd also had a few episodes of reduced movements and therefore I was induced a few days later.

I can imagine the talk on induction will come up, but of course that's your choice- best of luck OP.

my trust will only scan every 2 weeks for growth but I see my consultant monthly and just been stepped up to weekly consultant review this week at 36 weeks. They will review your scan and discuss how you are feeling and likely make a plan for possible induction based on your discussion and their assessment of you and baby. I find their review meetings really informative and helpful.

This happened to me but DD had dropped to below 10th centile. The consultant went through my scan results and basically discussed what to do next ie. Induction, watch and wait, etc. I think i was booked in for another scan? I asked lots of questions and agreed to have an induction booked for 39w. But in the end, it didn't matter as DD came of her own accors at 37+5w.

Yes see I thought that too as even bump measurements are 2 weeks as well! Thanks ladies that helps though as gives me an idea of what I could expect x

I had a growth scan just before 36weeks (having them as routine due to being high risk). Growth dropped from 50th to 10th. The Sonographer made quite a big deal out of it, wanted me to be seen by a doctor straight away. Everything else on the scan was fine. No reduced movements etc. I saw a midwife and there wasn’t a doctor available and I was due to be see my consultant (due to being high risk and needing to ask if they would allow me a water birth) a few days later so agreed to just wait until then. I saw the consultant a few days later and she checked the chart. She bought my next growth scan forward from 3 to 2 weeks and said they may induce me as a precaution if growth had dropped again/ not caught up. I was only with her for 5 minutes if that. The midwives took my blood pressure and checked my urine whilst I waited. I had the scan last Thursday and growth was back on track although suspicious the sonographer had taken and plotted an inaccurate measurement at the 36w scan causing the drop. Lots of anxiety for a few weeks over nothing. Have they estimated babies weight on your scan report? Mine was still showing as putting on 1lb between the 33 and 36w scan which made me feel a little more reassured that things were ok.

Oh @OrcaBlondie that sounds like a right ordeal for everything to then actually balance off! I do get they can be wildly in accurate as at the end of the day it's a moving child they are trying to measure.

Yes I've got the EFW on there so 34+4 she was 2454g and yesterday 37+3 she was 2829g EFW.

Just got to get through today then I'll find out tomorrow what they think. I'm just extra anxious now.. the joys 🤣

Just an update on this, we booked an induction for Sunday 29/01 - 39 weeks. Doppler scan on Friday 27/01. Blood pressure was elevated too and I've had reduced movements but I reckon that's because I have been worrying.

I had growth scans from 28 weeks in my first pregnancy. Baby ended up dropping centiles and was eventually diagnosed with growth restriction. I was induced at 36+5 due to dropping growth and preeclampsia and she arrived 37 weeks at 4lbs 6 oz (2000g). She was perfectly healthy and needed no extra care!

Now 35 weeks with baby number 2 so have routine growth scans. As long as baby is following their own growth curve the doctors are usually happy to go with a watch and wait approach :)