Long wait for next growth scan - normal?

[Chai88]

Hey! I’ve been having growth scans since 29 weeks, as baby is measuring small. I’m under the fetal medicine unit. He measured at 1st percentile until 33 weeks when they measured him to be on 3rd percentile. They’ve therefore now said I can wait until 37 weeks for next scan! But to me I feel it’s way too long to go from 33-37 weeks without a scan.

they’ve said they aim for induction at 39 weeks unless his growth goes down by next scan, which means induction at 37 weeks - same week as next scan!

is this normal? I’m fighting the urge to go for a private growth scan, but our nearest clinic says it won’t do growth scans for people who are routinely getting them in the hospital. So I’d have to lie if I do that.

has anyone else experienced this and is it truly safe to wait four weeks for the next scan, when baby is at 3rd percentile?

thanks

My baby was similar, and I think we were scanned fortnightly? She had IUGR and had to be delivered bang on 37 weeks due to risk of stillbirth / placenta not getting enough blood to her. After delivery they noted that the placenta was calcified and she wouldn’t of had much longer if stayed in so in your shoes I’d be pushing for regular growth scans and also the one where they measure the blood getting to the baby via ultrasound. Sorry I can’t remember the name, was a while back!
good news is that baby was born small but strong. Hope the next few weeks go well for you and do not stop advocating for yourself ❤️

Shorter reply - no I can’t see how it’s safe to wait a month and as there’s an option of needing an early delivery then surely the scan needs to be before that, ideally at 35/36 weeks. I found the fetal medicine unit really good and kept an extremely close eye on us, I’m sorry that hasn’t been your experience xx

Have they done a Doppler scan? I would push for more growth scans (every 1/2 weeks would be reasonable) it seems sensible to keep a closer eye on things x