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

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?
Kayzr · 18/12/2009 10:31

WoTmania, she has previously suggested sedating DS2 to get him to sleep. Luckily we ignored her and at 11 months he finally decided to sleep, drug free.

OP posts:
WoTmania · 18/12/2009 12:24

Good grief! Can you complain? She sounds like a health hazard.

Kayzr · 18/12/2009 12:30

I am thinking about complaining. I'd hate for someone to actually listen to her and then have something bad happen.

OP posts:
tackyChristmastreedelivery · 18/12/2009 12:44

Hello.

Growth scans do exist, there are a whole load of fetal medicine consultants to prove this!

They look at bone length [the femur], the abdominal circumfrence, and the head measurements [depending on gestation] to get a feel for the way the baby is growing. If the measurements are in proportion, maintaining velocity along a centile and so on.

None of this can give a true weight indication, but can give a best guess. They can be inaccurate. The weight thing is often a bit of a red herring though. The wellbeing of the baby is determined by how sustained groth is, weather there are huge surges in growth that might point to a diabetes in the mother, if there is asymetric growth that might point to placental issues. Loads of clues as to how the pregnancy is functioning.

In your case, perhaps your consultant is worried about shoulder dystocia. It is very encouraging that you have birthed one large baby before, so perhaps the consultant can give you more info and what worried him/her. Babies do tend to get larger [not always] and previous baby over a certain weight is a known risk factor for a shoulder dystocia. A shoulder dystocia does sometimes throw out vauge clues in the latter stages of labour, but can also only be obvious when it is in progress. So it is classes as one of the obstetric emergencies. A growth scan in late pregnancy might help to give an indication of the size of the baby, and provide information for you all to make a decision with,

I am totally ignorant on MS so will not try to offer any comment on that.

Yes, midwives do have to support you in any care path you decide. They also need to try and inform you of the potential risks you take on by following any given path. If you take on making that decision yourself it is vital your decision is informed. I would urge you to discuss what specific concerns the consultant has and look for ways of informing the decision you make once you know what the risks you might be facing are.

Also talk to the midwife as much as possible, and get her take on it. As the lead clinician who books your home birth, she will be the one putting her name to the decision. She will be able to say how she feels about supporting your choices. If you can get the same one again, so much the better!

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

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