Growth scan on Monday.

[modified]

For suspected IUGR.

What can I expect? I'm nervous as hell

 

[Mrs Eleflump]

I have regular growth scans, not for IUGR, but because I have a pre-existing medical condition and am also at high risk of pre-eclampsia.

When I go for one, they test my blood pressure and a urine sample, same as they would at the midwife, and ask if I'm feeling ok etc, any problems or whatever. Then I go in to see the ob, he asks a couple more questions about movements and whatnot, and then he does the scan. He measures baby's head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length, an then uses those measurements to calculate estimated fetal weight and that gives how far along baby is measuring, so he can tell if baby is ahead or behind or just right.

He also looks at the placenta and the blood flow through the cord.

In my specific case he also checks baby's heart rate and the pattern of the heartbeat, but I'm not sure if that always would get done - for me my medical condition puts the baby at risk of damage to the heart, which is why he checks that.

I find the scans ok, very reassuring, and the ob usually prints out a pic or two of baby's face for me, though not everywhere will do that.

I hope all is ok with your little girl and that she is a good size

 

[sethsmummy]

Where i am you go in for your scan first where the tech will take all babies measurements to make sure baby is around the right size and if not then how far behind/ahead they are. They will check the placenta and the blood flow to baby to make sure there is no reverse flow/limited flow etc and then after that we go wait to see the consultant afterwards who says how baby is doing. Im booked in for 3 growth scans at 30/33 and 36 weeks (last time it was 28,32,36).

IF its found baby does have IUGR then a plan will be put in place for whats going to happen try not to worry too much hun. Sometimes they can think theres a problem when theres none. xxx

 

[modified]

Thanks girls! Okay...

At my private scan on the 13th, Pixie's head and thigh bone and my fluid levels, placental blood flow etc etc were all perfect but her stomach was measuring 2 weeks behind. Was sent away with a note for my midwife. Went to my midwife on the 17th - she measured my bump which was 3 weeks behind. You're "allowed" to be 2 weeks behind so it was insta-growth scan!


My first was today at 2pm. Mum was supposed to be with me but she's still in hospital so I had to go alone. I'd had breakfast at 10:30 and planned on eating lunch with my mum later. So I went in and was scanned. Now, my fluid levels are quite low but still within the normal range. Her stomach is measuring 3 weeks behind though so is now even smaller somehow! I was sent back out into the waiting room whilst the midwife called the hospital - I had to go up to day assessment there and then. Crap. I was meant to be going to see my mum in hospital and had fresh PJ's and clothes for her in my bag. So I jumped on a bus meaning to go to my uncles so he could take them instead - and got on the wrong one. Got off god knows where, had a wee wander for an hour and eventually ended up, somehow, at my uncles. Phew! Handed over mum's stuff and back on the bus for the hour ride to the hospital. I got there at 4:30pm.

I was taken back to be seen at 8pm. I was absolutely knackered, boiling hot and starving. I had a crying fit down the phone to my mum haha. I was hooked up to the heart rate monitor for 30 minutes and the trace was, apparently, really really good. Yay! So then I had to wait for the doctor. Whilst waiting for her, my aunt turned up bless her so I wasn't alone anymore. The doc eventually came round and, despite the good heart trace, I'm to be monitored at the hospital twice a week from now until she's born. I'll be hooked up to the heart monitor and then scanned to keep an eye on my fluid levels. Man... it was an hour on the bus from my uncles - he lives halfway between my house and the hospital so we're looking at at least 1.5-2 hours on the bus there and back twice a week... I love that they're monitoring me so closely but that's going to be a killer!

On the scan, she kept really pouting her bottom lip haha.. cute.

 

[sethsmummy]

I'm glad they are looking after you hun. I would probably say if they scan you again.and she's even.further behind you might be induced so always have a plan in place just in case.

That's sure a long Ass bus ride.. mine is around the same to our hospital 1.5 hours if we have to get the bus that goes the longer route. But it's all worth it xx