Maybe a stupid question...

[bubbles82]

...but how do they actually know baby is still developing on track after your 20 week scan? After 20 weeks I just feel like I've got midwife appointments every few weeks where I'm not there longer than 5 minutes, they check my blood pressure and urine sample and that's it, sometimes listen to baby's heartbeat. Seems like they do stuff to check on me but not actually specifically check on baby. Do they just assume baby is still growing and developing ok as long as there's no reason to suggest otherwise from me? I read posts from people saying baby is measuring ahead etc but they don't seem to actually measure baby at all after the 20 week scan?

 

[fairsinger]

Does the midwife measure your uterus (with a tape measurer) and feel your belly? That's how my OB keeps track of growth, although she starts doing that sometime after 20 weeks (can't remember when). I do get more scans later in the pregnancy, but that is due to past pregnancy issues and a chronic medical condition.

 

[maybebaby3]

Yeah mw should measure your uterus with a tape measure to check baby is growing well xx

 

[bubbles82]

No I've not had any bump measuring yet, but I wouldn't have thought that was that accurate compared to scan measurements?

 

[babybloo]

The last appointment I had at 21 weeks, my bump had definitely gotten bigger and my ob measured my uterus. At my appointment before this, at 17 weeks, the nurse said I didn't have much to measure. Maybe because it was pre- 20 week scan and not alot of bump just yet at that point?

I've read too that after first tri most babies begin growing at their own pace and that they are all different while before that they all pretty much follow the same growth pattern. So I think that makes it so measuring uterus growth is a more accurate indicator.

 

[Noo]

Your bump won't be measured until 24 weeks onwards.

 

[Dream.dream]

Most midwives don't start measuring your until 28 weeks your fundal hieght before then can be inaccurate . As long as you don't have issues and are gaining wieght there's no reason to assume baby isn't growing

 

[CastawayBride]

I go once a month for growth scans, but I believe it is b/c I have a 2 Artery umbilical cord and they want to ensure baby keeps getting the nutrients he needs!

 

[mrs_park]

Babies grow at different rates so regular scans wouldn't really achieve much. The 20 week scan is very extensive so I guess they know if everything is as it should be, there's no reason to keep scanning or assume something is wrong

They will start measuring your fundal height soon I would imagine (here's its done at every appointment), listen to the heartbeat and ask about movement.

 

[Jessica0907]

Most vital organs and baby parts are well developed by the 20 week scan. After 20 weeks, its lungs continuing to develop, senses becoming more keen, baby intestines and kidneys begin to function (although the organs are already there), and baby fattens up. Hence why a baby, with a lot of medical intervention, can survive outside of the womb at 23+ weeks. The most vital stages of development have been completed.

 

[bubbles82]

I don't think I've even been weighed since my 10 week appointment so they don't seem to be keeping track of how much weight I'm putting on.

 

[e11etee]

I was weighed at my booking appointment with midwife but not since then. In my last pregnancy I was never weighed so that is not something they routinely do here. Like other posters have said the midwife will measure your bump from week 24 and feel bump. Mine listens to heartbeat at every appointment. I would say as long as you feel ok in your self and feel baby moving when you start feeling it then it's ok. If you have any doubts or concerns just have a chat with your midwife even if it's for reassurance.

 

[Noo]

I don't think I've even been weighed since my 10 week appointment so they don't seem to be keeping track of how much weight I'm putting on.

You should be weight at booking and then so long as your BMI is within "normal" range you'll not be weighed again unless you look like you've gained masses of weight until either your 36 or 38 week appt. If you google NICE antenatal care guidelines then most of the info should be in there. My antenatal notes contain an overview of what happens at each appt so check to see if yours does - If not, I'm sure you can find it on google.