3rd Trimester Scans

No, I'm not in the 3rd tri yet but I have a question about scans in the 3rd tri...

I've just had my 20 week scan, at which my little bub was measuring two weeks ahead. So, the possibility of a growth scan in the 3rd tri was mentioned again by the sonographer. It has already come up at one of my antenatal checks and I'm not surprised that it has come up again today.

So now I'm debating whether I actually want this scan. I know I can simply nod and smile and take the referral and then never have the scan. I know that and I am quite willing to do so if I believe there is no reason for the scan.

I am just wanting to make sure I don't disregard it without considering the possibilities.

As I see it:

Cons:
- Inaccurate (from my own experience with my two other kids)
- Costly
- Won't change the labour/birth (they will not induce or c/s based on the scan - my choice)
- Yet another scan, which I'd like to avoid if not necessary

Pros:
- Get to see the baby again
- ??

On the face of that list, I shouldn't do it. Are there any reasons I should?? (And yes, I will discuss this with the MWs and ask these questions before deciding...)

IME, no. They are inaccurate for what you are trying to achieve, no results can come of it, so why put yourself and your baby through another scan?

The only out come is that baby is labelled "too big", you are pestered and bullied with fear and doubt and that overrides your birth and confidence. How is that helpful?

So, does it make a difference to you what size baby is? Is there a MEDICAL reason you need to know the size of the baby (or a stab in the dark at guessing it)? Is there some complication you have that you need to be in control of? If you have refused an induction/cs based on baby size anyway, why do they still want to do it? If they are respecting your choices, then they wouldn't be mentioning it.

You will see the baby soon enough, just my two cents! :)

As far as cost - can't you get third tri scans done through the hossy? I had a growth scan done at 32 weeks and biweekly scans since then and all have been done at the hossy with no cost to me. I will continue to get them until the birth.

Obviously I have reason to get them done, but surely if I can get them at no cost you would be able to get one at no cost too.

I totally agree with LS. If it were me, I'd decline it :)

i'd decline as well. i think you've outlined the pros & cons pretty well.



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I had a scan at 32/33 weeks with DD1 checking up on a previously low lying placenta and was told then that she was enormous and had a particularly large head. Being my first baby, I stressed a bit until my OB told me its all nonsense, and then spent the next few weeks joking about my baby about to be born with a 6.5kg head. She was born spot on average for weight, length and head circ.

SIL was told she needed an induction because her baby was apparently tiny, and there was concerns of him not getting enough from the placenta. He was born 2 weeks early at 4kgs.

So, as far as I'm concerned, they're not worth it in terms of diagnostic benefit. Maybe you just have the penthouse of all uteruses and your baby can stretch out a bit more than others, thus making him/her measure bigger. Who knows.

I would have the scan if you want to see bub again, or if you want to take the opportunity for your kids to see a scan. Otherwise, no.

My understanding was that at your 20w scan bub can be 2 weeks either way in size because they're so little anyway....

Based on that theory, I'd say no. I had heaps of 3rd Tri scans with DD and sizing IS NOT ACCURATE. DD was severely growth restricted and had stopped growing and I had a final growth scan 2 days before she was born and it predicted that she would be 2lb 10oz. She popped out 2 days later at 3lb 12oz. I know alot of people who have scans before delivery and there can be 2+ pounds difference in actual birth weight.

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As far as cost - can't you get third tri scans done through the hossy? I had a growth scan done at 32 weeks and biweekly scans since then and all have been done at the hossy with no cost to me. I will continue to get them until the birth.

Obviously I have reason to get them done, but surely if I can get them at no cost you would be able to get one at no cost too.

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Possibly it would be free... but I've only had one scan at the hospital I'm going through and it was a horrible, horrible experience, so I will not go back there. For my own sanity, I need to see the same sonographer who has seen me through most of my issues and is wonderful. So I gotta pay.

Lu - I think I do have the penthouse of uteruses (uteri?) but no amount of stretching can make the head any bigger ;)

I'm really not at all concerned with my body's ability to birth this baby. Nor am I going to be threatened or bullied into an induction or c/s against my will.

I was just trying to deduce if there was any other reason for getting it done...

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I'm really not at all concerned with my body's ability to birth this baby. Nor am I going to be threatened or bullied into an induction or c/s against my will.

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Going on the above paragraph, don't have it. You sound confident and comfortable with how everything is going.

As a side note, you are 20 weeks already?? Man, that went so fast!!!

You're right Nic, I probably don't need it :)

And yep - half way already ;)

Id do it, just to see my bub and not really worry about the result, some places flick on the 3d for funzies in the 3rd tri, its so fun!

If you want to see baby again, then I'd book into a 3D place and go for that only.

Based on your list, I wouldn't have another scan.

Sounds like you had a good scan today! What did DD think?

Yep, the scan went very well today. My babies are very well behaved during scans - once they are out, another story ;)

DD was intrigued - she watched intently at first and loved seeing things she could recognize like the hands and feet, face, but got a bit bored when he started checking the chambers of the heart, blood flow, cord blood and the like. So Nanna got out her iPhone with Dora :lol:

We got a 3D shot at the end too, which was a bit freaky! Never had that before!!

I'll have a chat with my student MW and the MW at my next appt and see what the verdict is. I'm pretty sure they will be supportive of opting out - that's why I'm going through the birth centre after all.