How common is a growth scan?

MelBell829 · February 2012

Today at my appointment my doctor asked me when I was due (this is the first time I'm seeing this particular dr) and when I told him 3/27, he replied with "We should probably schedule a growth scan sometime soon."

Is it common to have one, or do doctors generally only do these when they think the baby isn't growing enough? At all my other appointments the MW's and docs said everything looked good, so I'm hoping I'm just overreacting.

I don't think the practice I go to makes a habit of them because when I asked last week, the MW told me I wouldn't be having anymore US's unless there was cause for concern.

Abby7 · February 2012

Well, I have had two. One was when I thought the baby wasn't moving enough at around 28 weeks and the other was when my belly measured small around 33 weeks. Both came out as perfectly normal growth based on the u/s.

My thought is that if they're not getting you in with a stat order and just want to have it "sometime soon" then they are really not that concerned and just want to double-check. You probably just had a slightly small belly measurement.

kmhunt11 · February 2012

My current MW practice, the OB I had until I switched at 32 weeks, and the OB that delivered DD all don't do an u/s after the 20week a/s unless there is an issue. Granted the OB who delivered DD was a bit fast and loose with "issue." I think I had at least 2 others. Can't remember why other than everything ended up being totally fine.

manda1129 · February 2012

I get a growth scan every 4 weeks, Im high risk because I have celiac, so maybe thats why?

acbeeman · February 2012

I get one every 3 weeks due to baby measuring big, high BP and GD.

ETA: Just realized Im on the wrong month board. Oops! Sorry ladies

angelaggie · February 2012

My doctor does a 36 week growth scan for everyone. Seems pretty common around my area. It isn't just a growth scan though. He also wants to check fluid levels and baby's position.

med380 · February 2012

My doc doesn't do it routinely - just if there is a medical reason. I had one at 32 weeks because I was measuring a little small.

MelBell829 · February 2012

Thanks, everyone. It didn't occur to me that the whole exchange was sort of weird until after I left, or I would have just asked him. I have my appointment with the same doc next week, so I'll just ask him.

BitsKD13 · February 2012

My OB does them around 34 weeks to see how the baby is doing size wise and check the position.

Babycakes29 · February 2012

angelaggie:
My doctor does a 36 week growth scan for everyone. Seems pretty common around my area. It isn't just a growth scan though. He also wants to check fluid levels and baby's position.

This! I thought everyone gets check for these things in the end...

bandjlloyd · February 2012

I asked my MW about this last week, because I kept hearing about them but wasn't being talked to about one. I wanted one, just so I could see LO again before she's born. My MW's answer was: "We just don't feel that it's necessary. We have many many years of experience and we can usually tell the size and position of the baby by just feeling, so we don't like to do them unless we feel the need to. It's not a science but it's close enough." Fair enough. lol

wildermom · February 2012

sheveen2009:
My doctor doesn't do then unless it is medically necessary. Measuring big or small would be reasons to, but I have been measuring 1cm small for the last 4 appointments and we aren't doing one.

To be honest, they have such a large margin (+/- 2lbs!) of error that I wouldn't put a lot of faith in it anyway!

This exactly. I've basically been on track the whole time so I haven't had an u/s since my anatomy scan. Wouldn't mind seeing the little bugger again though.

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