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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Growth Scans.

29 replies

Kayzr · 16/12/2009 08:19

I am just wondering about growth scans. We are planning to TTC DC3 next year. DS2 was 10lb 5oz at birth and was born at home.

I see a consultant during pregnancy because my DH has Muscular Dystrophy. Though I am not really sure why as none of our children can have it. He was very very reluctant to let me have a home birth as I might need a CS etc etc. After I had DS2 my consultant had complained to my MW that she supported my request for a HB because of how large DS2 was.

I've read on here and other places that you can have growth scans if there is a history of large babies. But my HV says that there is no such thing as a growth scan and they don't exist. So I am a little confused.

Apparently there is no way I can have another HB because of DS2's size which is holding me back from really commiting to another as the nearest hospital is an hour away and is always in the news for dirty wards, pests and poor service. I had a terrible time there with DS1 and I am terrified about going back.

So after all that ramble do growth scans exist?

Thanks.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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oopsandbabyJesusinacoconut · 16/12/2009 08:35

I have to have growth scan becausethe medication I am on could effect how the baby grows so I will have scans at 28 and 34 weeks. These will then be compared to the 20week scan and each other to ensure the baby is growing properly. I have been told there is a 10 to 15% margin of error on sizing during these scans and basing weight on measurements can often way out. We are not concerned about our baby's weight but more her growth IYSWIM.

sleepwhenidie · 16/12/2009 09:03

sounds to me like it is just a matter of terminology - they may call scans (other than the 12 and 20 week ones) "wellbeing scans" or something similar, rather than "growth scans", but as part of them they will measure the baby and estimate its weight. You can certainly get these done privately if you are battling to get NHS to do it, maybe just one or two towards the end of pg to help you decide if HB is a good idea? There is of course the margin for error to consider too though. Good luck

Original poster

Kayzr · 16/12/2009 09:06

Thanks.

My HV says it is impossible to look at a baby's growth etc while you are still pregnant so obviousky she doesn't know about them or is just mad.

OP posts:

graciem · 16/12/2009 09:07

i have had 3 growth scans due to medication i take and my sister has had a home birth after havin a 10lb 2oz girl, her son was born at home weighing 11lb. if you want a home birth that is your choice and professionals should support your choice.

flybynight · 16/12/2009 09:30

My sister is having the 28 and 34 week growth scans, as she takes thyroid replacement medication. Hers are referred to as TRAb scans. Her partner also has muscular dystrophy (Becker) running rife in his family but as you say, its nothing to do with that.

The baby's size, based on scans, sounds pretty spurious. I'm planning a homebirth and I lurk on the Yahoo homebirth discussion group - there a lot of really well informed ladies there who will give you every argument you need to get your wish.

Here's the link

JuliaGulia · 16/12/2009 21:46

I'm expecting twins and had a growth scan at 28 weeks and I'm scheduled for follow up scans at 32 and 36 weeks.

For us they measured the length of the legs, head width/circ. and tummy to make sure they were growing well. It only took 10 minutes but it reassured us that both babies are on track. Our ob plotted the figures on a graph to show us that the babies were within the normal parameters.

Our hospital calls them growth scans but I guess they could be called anything. It was the same procedure as our 12 week/20 scan so I'm surprised that you're being told they're not available.

Hope this helps.

EldonAve · 16/12/2009 21:50

they can and will scan for growth and give an estimated size
with a previous large baby they will want to monitor you a bit more closely and check for gestational diabetes

butterscotch · 16/12/2009 21:53

I had growth scans, sometimes they are called development scans as others have said!

Mine was due to SUV and happened at 34 weeks!

Wasn't Basildon hospital that is nearest to you is it? Just thats where I had my DD and where I plan to have this one, it was the A&E wards that they complained about mostly. The Mat services are good or where 2.5 yrs ago when I had my DD.

Chaotica · 16/12/2009 22:05

I had growth scans due to a first big baby. They are known to be wildly inaccurate (maybe the reason for the mixup) - the last one for DS was 2.5lb out (done the day before his birth). But it could be a guide.

Original poster

Kayzr · 17/12/2009 06:18

Thanks everyone. It has reassured me that they are available.

Butterscotch, it's Scarborough hospital that I went too. It was in the local paper just yesterday that a woman saw a mouse while in the labour room. It wasn't dirty when I went but the staff were just nasty and I dread having to go there.

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duchesse · 17/12/2009 06:27

Growth scans are notoriously unreliable. The margin of error is something huge like a pound each way. So you could be told you're having a 9.5 pounder, and actually end up with an 8.5 or 10.5 er. Which might make all the difference. Scans are so reliant on the skill of the person carrying them out. Child 3 was estmiated at 5 lbs by one sonographer at our local hospital, 7 lbs at the specialist unit at Kings in London. (Kings were right btw).

heth1980 · 17/12/2009 10:32

They exisit but in my experience aren't accurate. I was sent for one after measuring too big, was told DD would be 10lb and she was 7lb 12oz......that's a bit of a difference!

Bunnyjo · 17/12/2009 10:35

I had developmental scans with DD as I developed PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension) and was admitted to hospital at 22wks as I was showing signs of pre-eclampsia.

I had extra scans at 24wk, 28wk, 32wk and 35wk (with placental blood flow), just to make sure DD didn't have IUGR.

I think the term 'growth scan' is a little inaccurate and the scan is more an indication of development, by measuring key areas (head circ, tummy, femur etc) and although they can give you an estimated birth weight, it is only an estimate and can be widly wrong.

Original poster

Kayzr · 17/12/2009 10:37

Yeah that is a bit of difference. My MW estimated that DS2 would be about 8lb, not 10lb 5oz.

I suppose I will just have to go with the flow. I just do not want to be told I am not allowed a HB.

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WoTmania · 17/12/2009 10:40

Growth scans do exist but as Duchesse says are notoriously ureliable.
If DS2 was 10lb 5oz and you had a complication free home delivery I don't really get why you have another homebirth is a problem?

Original poster

Kayzr · 17/12/2009 10:52

I have just been told that it is because he was so big I shouldn't have had one in the first place, but nobody knew he was going to be so large.

OP posts:

EldonAve · 17/12/2009 12:40

Did you have any complications with your home birth or did it all go smoothly?

Original poster

Kayzr · 17/12/2009 12:45

No it all went smoothly. This is what is bugging me. My HV has said that I wouldn't be allowed one purely on his size despite the fact it was a normal birth.

OP posts:

EldonAve · 17/12/2009 13:02

I would ignore the HV - she is not a MW or Obs

I can see that they would want to keep a check on the possible size of another baby but no reason for you not to have another home birth

Have you tried asking your GP?

MrsCrawf · 17/12/2009 13:11

I was just thinking exactly what EldonAve has said - your HV is trained to know about the children once they have come out - she doesn't have such knowledge of whats going on inside you. Talk to the MW instead (in fact I generally find they are better than the GP who just seems to need to look everything up as they have to know so much about everything and MWs are specially trained just in one thing).

duchesse · 17/12/2009 13:32

Oh, it was your health visitor who said it? Then think no more of her opinion. There are a great many loons in HVing, alas. She's almost certainly not medical. Take only your midwife's and doctors' opinions on the matter.

Original poster

Kayzr · 17/12/2009 13:56

Yeah it was just HV who said it. It was completely out of the blue when DS2 was being weighed the other day. She is well known for being a loon.

I did see my MW with DS2 while shopping this morning and she asked if I would be having another HB if we were planning another baby. She said that I would be able to have another. Yay!!!

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WoTmania · 18/12/2009 09:16

It's crap though that your HV thinks she ca say these things.

mamasunshine · 18/12/2009 09:24

My friend had a 10lb baby and in her following pregnancy was automatically booked in for growth scans to check baby's size.

I also had growth cans due to UGR, the scan sized my ds at 4.4lbs...he was born 2 weeks later at 3.6lbs! so not always very accurate!

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