36 week ultrasound...why?

nicolelsmith7 · June 2015

First off, how many of you have to go for a 36 week u/s? Secondly, really what's the point? My doctor said its because my stomach is measuring 1 week bigger than it should so they want to check the size...but didn't elaborate anymore than that.

Lalala2326 · June 2015

I'll have one next week at 34 weeks. It is just standard with my OB. She did it with my daughter also 2 1/2 years ago. She ended up doing several actually with her in the last few weeks to check position cause she was breech right up till her due date (ended up with a c-section). She does them at 34 weeks just to check fluid levels and to a lesser extent size (since this can be so inaccurate). Also just to make sure everything looks okay heading into the final stretch. I'm not complaining. DH and DD are both coming also. Last time to see the baby most likely till he/she is born.

Just cause you are measuring big doesn't mean the baby is actually big. They are probably also checking to make sure your fluid levels aren't too high (can cause other complications). Baby size measurements can be extremely inaccurate mainly, from my understanding, because they go off of length for the most part which doesn't necessarily mean anything about actual weight of the baby. Measuring 1 week ahead though is not much at all, so I really wouldn't worry about it. Just enjoy the chance to see your LO again.

laurasuzanne2006 · June 2015

I would skip it personally. 1-2 weeks bigger or smaller is normal and it's a good way for doctors to come up with a bs reason for interventions

Alyllyra · June 2015

I had one at 32 weeks to check for placental placement and one at 36 weeks to check positioning because they thought baby might be breech. And then one at 41+0 to check fluid levels.
My cousins GF didn't have any 3rd tri u/s and found out at delivery her boy was breech. Ended up with a c section. I think going in for an extra check up is never a bad thing. They will check for other potential problems too.

delujm0 · June 2015

I had one at 36w because at my previous one at 26 weeks the baby was breech so they wanted to check position. She had flipped head down. But if she hadn't I would have scheduled a c section for 38-39 weeks. I'd rather not go into labor when I'm going to need a C if I can help it.

If I make it past my due date I'll have another one to check fluid levels and placental health so that we can schedule a potential induction date around 41 weeks.

nosoup4u · June 2015

If there's no other reason than you measuring a week ahead, I would skip it as well. My MW went into a panic w late u/s and fluid levels w my first (he was fine, I was fine), and I refused them w my second (I only did non-stress tests when I went overdue w him).

oneblessedmess · June 2015

I had one at 34 weeks because my belly was measuring 3 weeks ahead. But my doctor said if it had only been 1 or 2 weeks she wouldn't have bothered with an ultrasound. Baby ended up only measuring 5 days ahead. I think if that's the only reason they gave you are okay to skip it.

SnarkasaurusRex · June 2015

I am having one at 37 weeks to check for position and get an estimate on size, specifically head size. Baby has flipped all over the place this pregnancy and was breech and my first scan and OB thought he was transverse at my appointment this past week. I also had an injury to my hip/pelvis when I was a teenager, and my hips have not spread at all at this point, so we're looking at the possibility of CPD being a real issue. My OB is totally on board with my plan for a natural birth as long as he is head down, but she just wants to get an estimate of how big he's going to be, even though those estimates aren't super accurate.

A lot of OBs do them to try and get you to give in to interventions. You can skip the scan entirely if you think it is unnecessary, but definitely stick to your guns to make sure that you get the birth experience you want.

amberrmariee20 · June 2015

My sister is having an US at 36 weeks but only because she has GD, and she's a risk for having "larger" babies.

laurasuzanne2006 · June 2015

Ummm a good provider should be able to palpate a breech....

PrimRoseMama · June 2015

I think it's very unwise to advise someone to skip a medically ordered ultrasound. That is not for you to say, but her medical provider.

I've used midwives, & OBs together. I'm a little bit tired of folks saying that OB are after interventions all the time. Blanket statements like that are misleading & untrue. My OB respected all my wishes for all my pregnancies.

There could be other reasons she needs an ultrasound. Please don't try to internet doctor vunerable women. It makes you no better than these "evil" OB you hear about with their agendas.

aliciaspinnet · June 2015

PrimRoseMama said:
I think it's very unwise to advise someone to skip a medically ordered ultrasound. That is not for you to say, but her medical provider.

I've used midwives, & OBs together. I'm a little bit tired of folks saying that OB are after interventions all the time. Blanket statements like that are misleading & untrue. My OB respected all my wishes for all my pregnancies.

There could be other reasons she needs an ultrasound. Please don't try to internet doctor vunerable women. It makes you no better than these "evil" OB you hear about with their agendas.

I agree that it's unwise to take medical advice from Internet strangers who know nothing about your medical history. Doctors are not pantomime villains trying to get you to have interventions just for the hell of it. In general they are genuinely trying to ensure a good outcome for you and your baby. Sadly there have been cases where babies have died after people tried to crowdsource medical opinions on the Internet. Discuss the pros and cons of your medical treatment with your doctor, don't take advice from strangers with no qualifications.

acgonzalez22 · June 2015

I have one at 36 weeks to check position and the placenta. I have GD as well. OB wanted to check the baby's weight and see if the placenta was deteriorating. If you are questioning it, just ask your doctor.

Leahauc · June 2015

I had one at my 37 week appt. I assume it was to check for position and size but I'm not exactly sure why since I also had one at 34 weeks for small fundal height and she was head down then. It appears to be standard procedure at my ob's group. She also let me know that if baby isn't here by my 40 week appt, we will have another one then. Fine by me though, I love everyone at my dr's office and enjoy my sneak previews.

Bailey1823A · June 2015

laurasuzanne2006 said:
Ummm a good provider should be able to palpate a breech....

This is not always true. If the baby is oblique or sunny side up sometimes it is hard to determine breech presentation by leopold's maneuvers or palpating for presentation. Am I saying it can't be done no, but it can be hard to determine. Checking for size is typically inaccurate via u/s but it is sometimes necessary to have an u/s to determine presentation. Also it can be hard to determine breech presentation with a cervical exam due to baby's position as well. As an L&D RN I work with many skilled Drs who will use an u/s for determining position when necessary and that does not make them "bad" providers. In fact I would trust 99% of them with my and my baby's life.

OP: if your dr thinks you need an u/s, you should either listen to his/her medical advice or seek a second opinion from another dr. I don't really see the harm in having the scan but if it is solely for measuring ahead with a fundal check, I would take the measurement with a grain of salt since u/s can be inaccurate.

tpally6212 · June 2015

I don't see why you would want to skip it, it's 30 mins max out of your day and any excuse to see my baby and make sure he's doing ok I'll take. My last ultrasound was at 20wks and at my last OB visit I asked when my next one would be and when she said 36wks i thought "that's so far away" maybe it's because I'm a FTM but I love getting them done and unless I thought it would cause harm to me or my baby I would never ever consider skipping an appointment, you never know what could happen during pregnancy and I'd hate to think "what if" when it comes to something so easy to do.

tpally6212 · June 2015

This is all new to me but what are you talking about when you say "OB is after interventions" I've never heard that before?

YogaSandy · June 2015

I had one at 38 weeks. OB said he wanted to see if baby was head down. I live in a very remote community. He was the only OB. We have to be flown out for C-sections and no epidurals administered here.

The U/S this day was just a bedside one - I couldn't see anything on it.

I think the real reason he wanted to do the U/S was because there was an intern (his last day), an OB resident (her last day) and med students (their first day) there. They all came to see. The med students got to feel my belly and learn where different parts of the baby were.

Maybe he liked to be certain and wanted to check fluid too. Either way, I really didn't mind. And it allowed some future doctors to learn.

irenejean · June 2015

My clinic does one at 36 weeks to check on baby and the placenta. A friend had IUGR at 36 weeks and had to be induced early, they suspect placental insufficiency was the cause. I'm all for my OB checking the placenta and making sure it is healthy and will support the baby during that last month.

amp61470 · June 2015

There are many reasons he may want to do and I personally go with what my doctor recommends.
Is there a reason you don't want it?

Lalala2326 · June 2015

laurasuzanne2006 said:

Ummm a good provider should be able to palpate a breech....

Yes, and mine always did that first and is perfectly capable of feeling to see if baby was breech. She just confirmed with an ultrasound cause she had one in room, and it was nice to be absolutely sure and just to get a look at the baby. She also used it during the later weeks to look for cords wrapped around limbs and such that could be preventing the baby was turning and for any other abnormalities. I appreciated it. It took all of 2 minutes for her to do the ultrasounds during my normal visit. If she had to send me to a separate tech to do it, I'm guessing she wouldn't have.

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