Is this a bad thing?(re: growth ultrasound)

manbearpig31610 · August 2011

One thing I love about the OB practice I am using for this pregnancy is that they typically only do one ultrasound (at 20 weeks). I love seeing my LO just as much as anyone but my last OB did monthly ultrasounds and when DD started measuring a bit big he started talking csection right away (I was only around 28 weeks). She was born weighing 8lb 2oz, not huge at all! Anyway, today I had a regular checkup and my doctor ordered a growth scan for my next appt (33 weeks) because my fundal height is "just a tiny bit above average." The entire practice has been very supportive of my vbac and she continued to show support at my appt today. The whole growth scan thing just makes me a bit nervous because of my experience with my old OB. WDYT? Would this make you nervous as well or am I overreacting to this because of past experiences?

chicsub · August 2011

I would call and ask for clarification on how much "above average" they are talking and ask for some specifics. I had a growth u/s this time, but it was totally optional even though I ended up with GD. Of course then I was kicking myself b/c the baby was measuring 4 weeks ahead. I asked to see the chart b/c I had a feeling our big-headed gene was skewing the results and indeed it was!

I did it out of curiosity b/c it was never offered last time and I wish I didn't do it. Not that it affected anything, but it messed with my head a little.

lkf041 · August 2011

IMO, growth u/s's aren't accurate. I say go just so you can see your LO again but if they start talking csection due to her size kindly remind them that a growth u/s is only an estimate. Use your previous birth as an example! *lbs 2oz is by no means big!

taurus424 · August 2011

only from what i have read on this site not from personal experiance....but some docs use the growth scan to say that the baby is too big and to have a c sectionl. i remember another poster saying that she refused a growth scan bc she didnt want them to have that to pressure her with.

not sure of that helps...but it is just what i have read on here.

iris427 · August 2011

How much over are you measuring? I think there is a margin of error of 2 or 3 cm and I wouldn't want a growth ultrasound unless I was measuring off by more than the margin of error. But you should do what you feel most comfortable with.

nosoup4u · August 2011

manbearpig31610:
Anyway, today I had a regular checkup and my doctor ordered a growth scan for my next appt (33 weeks) because my fundal height is "just a tiny bit above average."

Hmm, go with your gut if you're nervous about having an u/s. It's totally reasonable to say no, or that you want to wait and see what your fundal height is the next few appointments. I think it's suggested practice that providers don't order growth u/s based on one fundal height measurement, but only after a few that are higher or lower than expected, which totally makes sense.

There's also at least one study that shows a higher rate of c-sections when providers suspect macrosomia (even though the prediction of macrosomia isn't accurate with u/s).

I refused an u/s when I had a non-stress test for my DS2 (I was past 41 weeks at that point). I had a lot of late u/s with DS1, and it freaked me out too much to go through those hoops again. (And FWIW, DS2 came the day after the NST at 10 lb 10 oz. Big babies are VBAC-able!)

honkytonk_kid · August 2011

Ditto pps- how much is a "tiny bit above average"? Plus or minus 2cm is average, so if you're 33 weeks are you measuring 34-35, or 36-37? If it's less than 3cm above average I probably would decline the growth u/s.

You might also ask what will be done with the information. "Big" babies are VBAC'd all the time, so if knowing LO *might* be on the bigger side won't change your plans to VBAC, why bother? Inductions based on size are not recommended, and for a VBAC inductions are generally a moot point anyway. It would just mess with my head, honestly.

If you and your OB start to get really concerned about size (3-4+ weeks ahead, IMO) then I might consider a growth ultrasound to rule out polyhydramnios or a truly abnormally large baby. But, a growth u/s would make me more nervous than just measuring a week or two ahead.

Good luck!

Erica92 · August 2011

Ditto everyone else..... first off unless you are measuring ALOT big (i,e more than 3cm bigger than the week you're in) I would Definitely decline it.

As you know u/s late in pregnancy are very inaccurate and I wouldn't want anyone to start threatening me with inductions due to a "big baby"

I truly believe that women we don't grow babies that our body's aren't capable of birthing. I have seen women have (unneccesary c-sections) for 5lb babies and naturally/vaginally birth 10lb babies.

Personally unless they think there is a fluid or health problem that requires an u/s I would just decline it if it's only for estimating the babies weight.

llamakins · August 2011

Here's my take on this...I had a 10.5 lb baby born with scheduled c/s the first time. This time I am not measuring ahead (and I don't think I did last time either.) My doc is fine with my doing a TOL or RCS. I asked for a growth u/s to check on baby and he said the best time would be 36 weeks, with the caveat that they are really not that accurate and I (the mother) would know my baby's size best (or even he could "feel" the baby's size better than the u/s.

I feel like it will help me make a more informed decision re: VBAC or RCS. (I am happy to RCS with another 10 lber.)

33 weeks seems like it may not matter--if this is something you want, you could wait longer. I don't think you are overreacting. I think your doc may be to do a growth u/s so early.

craig10 · September 2011

If the estimated weight of the baby is not going to affect your decision I would go ahead and have the u/s. One thing I will say is that growth ultrasounds can sometimes be incorrect, but they can also be right on the money. I was measuring large and at my last growth u/s they were estimating her to be over 9lbs. They recommended I schedule a c-section and I ended up having a 9lb 9oz baby girl via c-section. I went back and forth about choosing a c-section, the weight estimation does scare you into it. In the end I listened to the doctors recommendation. You just have to decided if they estimate you are having a large baby will this change your mind. Good luck with everything.

llamakins · September 2011

bbcraig:
One thing I will say is that growth ultrasounds can sometimes be incorrect, but they can also be right on the money.

This for me as well--it was correct.

Ceefome · September 2011

The doctor I saw at my 35 week appt had me schedule one for 37 weeks. After thinking about it and talking about it on this board, I decided I didn't want it for several reasons. It could be flat out wrong. Even if it was right, having a big baby didn't mean I couldn't deliver vaginally, since I feel my first c/s was due to postion, not true CPD. And I didn't want to put doubt in anyone's mind about my chances to VBAC, and the growth u/s could do just that.

I spoke to a different doctor at my 36 week appointment about how I didn't want it. She said it wasn't necessary, so I cancelled it and it was no big deal. 3 weeks later I had my VBAC. And my DD#2 was 10oz smaller than DD#1 who was born 3 weeks earlier.

If you don't want it, you don't have to have it. It's not medically necessary. I would avoid it if possible, if it's making you nervous.

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