Surprise growth scans? Not been told...

rach971 · 2023-04-15T18:42:20+00:00

Has anyone else been given growth scan appointments without being told why? I had 4 NHS letters come through the post today, all for growth scans. One in May, two in June and one on my due date in July (28th). Nobody has informed me I need growth scans so it was a bit of a shock. I've recently been diagnosed with some heart problems which thankfully at the moment are mild, so I can only assume it's that. I do wish someone would have told me though. I'm going to phone up on Monday and enquire but I have such an over active mind that I'll be worrying myself until I get a definite answer 🙈 No issues were present at the 20 week scan so I can't see any other reason.

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shieldmaiden7 · 15/04/2023 20:08

I had a second 20 scan as they though baby had a club foot, another scan at 28 weeks which showed baby was just breech and his feet were perfects. After that I had fortnightly growth scans because he was apparently measuring to small, they estimated 5/6lb. He was 8lb 13oz at birth so not really small. I'm expecting again and will be saying no to extra scans unless there's a reason for concern as growth scan are pretty inaccurate.

snapple21 · 15/04/2023 20:10

What's your bmi?

Moni81 · 15/04/2023 20:21

@rach971 there are many reasons you may need extra scans, most are just pure precautions like being over 40. I'm 42 and scheduled for 3 additional growth scans, which are also to monitor how placenta is doing. In your pregnancy folder there is graph with different levels of risk, it will tell you where you are and if extra appointments, tests are needed.

Original poster

rach971 · 15/04/2023 20:22

shieldmaiden7 · 15/04/2023 20:08

I had a second 20 scan as they though baby had a club foot, another scan at 28 weeks which showed baby was just breech and his feet were perfects. After that I had fortnightly growth scans because he was apparently measuring to small, they estimated 5/6lb. He was 8lb 13oz at birth so not really small. I'm expecting again and will be saying no to extra scans unless there's a reason for concern as growth scan are pretty inaccurate.

Thank you. I have read a lot of things saying they can be wildly inaccurate and I don't want to end up unnecessarily worried 😫 I'll definitely go for the first one and see what's said though, plus it's a nice surprise to be able to see baby again as I wasn't expecting anymore scans

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Original poster

rach971 · 15/04/2023 20:22

snapple21 · 15/04/2023 20:10

What's your bmi?

I can't remember exactly now but I know it's just into the 'normal' range, so around 19 or 20

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SarahLHs · 15/04/2023 20:30

Does it say on your last scan report what percentile their weight was? If it's 10 or below then they want to monitor. My daughter was 11% and they gave me a heads up that I may be contacted for further scans as she was close to the low weight threshold, apparently they don't usually warn people in advance!

Original poster

rach971 · 15/04/2023 20:48

Moni81 · 15/04/2023 20:21

@rach971 there are many reasons you may need extra scans, most are just pure precautions like being over 40. I'm 42 and scheduled for 3 additional growth scans, which are also to monitor how placenta is doing. In your pregnancy folder there is graph with different levels of risk, it will tell you where you are and if extra appointments, tests are needed.

Thank you. Absolutely nothing in my folder unfortunately :( Must be different at different hospitals

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Original poster

rach971 · 15/04/2023 20:50

SarahLHs · 15/04/2023 20:30

Does it say on your last scan report what percentile their weight was? If it's 10 or below then they want to monitor. My daughter was 11% and they gave me a heads up that I may be contacted for further scans as she was close to the low weight threshold, apparently they don't usually warn people in advance!

No it doesn't, just some measurements on a chart and all those seem to be where they need to be, none are in the 'red zone'. I did ask if everything looked okay and they said yes all absolutely fine. The midwife after the scan did mention something about growth scans but didn't specifically say I'd be given them or mention why or anything so I was surprised when 4 letters turned up today 😂

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Skyeheather · 15/04/2023 20:51

I had extra scans in my second pregnancy because I was 42, I was told this was standard for all women over 40. I then had an extra two scans booked because I went in for reduced movement at around 30 weeks. Baby and pregnancy were fine. Better to be safe than sorry.