Ultrasound at 36 weeks

[Olivia]

Hi,
I am 36 wks pg. I saw my Ob a couple of days ago who said that the baby seems a bit small (my belly hasn't grown since last visit 3 wks ago) and that I need to get an ultrasound done to make sure everything is OK.

I don't understand why I need an ultrasound just to check the size of the baby considering I've only got 4 weeks to go! Even if the unltrasound confirms that the baby is on the small side, what difference is it going to make? I am not a big fan of non-routine ultrasounds, I think the benefits of getting one done should outweight the risks to the baby. But what risks are there in my situation?...

Has anyone had this type of experience before? Should I cancel the u/s (I'm booked for next week)?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[andrewsmum]

Are you feeling the baby move?

Maybe they want to be on the safe side, and establish that there is nothing wrong with your baby.

I'd have the ultrasound done because if they weren't worried you wouldn't be having one done. Good luck :thumbsup:

[Jamily]

I had an u/s at around 36 weeks for the same reason. I was told that it was not only to check the size of the baby, but also to check the placenta was still functioning properly (some age prematurely) and/or to make sure there was enough amniotic fluid. Personally the risk of a stillbirth (if either the amniotic fluid or placenta were not as they should be) was more of a concern to me than an u/s. I had birth centre midwives for my antenatal appointments throughout my pregnancy, and they persue a very natural and low intervention method of care which is why I was happy to follow their advice. I also went 10 days past my EDD so you may have up to 5 or 6 weeks to go.

I do understand your concern about unnecessary u/s as many Obs do seem to make them more than just routine.

Good luck in your decision and the rest of your pregnancy.

[cheezelkat]

At 37 weeks, I had the same thing with my GP sending me off for a scan for not growing. The ultrasound guy said despite my small tummy, the baby was measuring big at 3.5kg :eek: The biggest problem was my waters were lowish-normal.

I went 5 days past my due date, had spontaneous labour and birthed a 3.1kg bub. So try not too worry to much :)

[Olivia]

Thanks for your replies ladies. I will probably keep the appointment just to be on a safe side. Andrewsmum, yes the baby is moving.

[cassi*girl]

Well I had my son at 36 weeks and I wish someone had made me have an ultrasound prior to that. My tummy was tiny!!!
They told me when I was in labour my bubs would be about 7lb which I thought would be great. He was just over 4lb so not so great!!!
My placenta had stopped functioning and if he hadn't have come when he did the chances of him being still born were HUGE.

I am 25 weeks pregnant and will definately be having ultra sound at about 32 weeks and hopefully again at 36. I am not taking any risks this time!! (mind you I am double the size I was with #1 so I don't think much to worry about :))

Good luck.

[bronny-jane]

id be guessing its to make sure the placenta is still working well:D

i have to get a scan at 28 weeks to check everything, and no doubt will have a few more after that one

[~Emmylou~]

I would have the scan as well.
If there is any concern about how the baby is growing or placental function I would want to know about it. The risk of a problem from that would outweigh any potential (and still unproven) risk of an ultrasound. Good luck :)

[GIZMOE]

I had one done at 38 weeks!!! due to them thinking the baby was really small and the heart rate was low. Also she wasn't engaged

Anyway to cut along story short the ultrasound people stuffed up big time. They measured that Poppy would be low 5 pounds area.

They convinced me that I should have a C-section so I didn't put the baby at any danger.

Poppy turned out to be a healthy 8 pond 3 ounces who basically just had low blood pressure like her Mum!!!! The only thing they did get right was that she was face presentation and the wrong way around.

To be honest with you I wouldn't trust the measurements at all but you go with your instincts.

I would have the ultrasound to check your placenta though.

Best of luck with it all.


Amy

[Olivia]

Thanks everyone. I had u/s done on Tuesday and it showed that the baby is actually slightly bigger than normal! Shows how wrong the doctors can sometimes be with their judgements!

[cheezelkat]

I'm glad everything went well! :thumbsup:

[bronny-jane]

:smiliedance: is that a good thing though...still has to come out:eek: :eek: :D

[mbrbbt]

Hi Olivia,
Glad to hear u/s went well and all news is good. My 1st was born induced at 37 weeks as my u/s had stopped functioning and was actually drying up on the sides and if they hadn't caught it in time it could have actually caused serious problems as he wouldn't have been feeding at all. Sounds like you have a very good and cautious doctor, you are carrying a very precious cargo. Good luck with everything.

[arthursmum]

Thanks everyone. I had u/s done on Tuesday and it showed that the baby is actually slightly bigger than normal! Shows how wrong the doctors can sometimes be with their judgements!

That's great that everything is progressing well.
To be fair to your doctor, though, they do tend to err on the side of caution as they want as much as you do to have a healthy baby in your arms at term. Sounds like you have good one!
I had many ultrasounds during the last few weeks of my pregnancy.
Please enlighten me, what are the risks to the baby during an ultrasound?

[annsam]

I had an u/s at around 36 weeks for the same reason. I was told that it was not only to check the size of the baby, but also to check the placenta was still functioning properly (some age prematurely) and/or to make sure there was enough amniotic fluid. Personally the risk of a stillbirth (if either the amniotic fluid or placenta were not as they should be) was more of a concern to me than an u/s.

This was my thought too.

P.S. didn't see you had done it already - thats fantastic!!

[Olivia]

Arthursmum, I've read somewhere (can't remember exactly where - I've read so much material over the past 8 months! :-)) that during the u/s the baby can hear the sound waves, which can possibly be disturbing. I have not actually seen any scientific material that would confirm this.

I actually asked the lady who did my scan about the safety of u/s in general, and she said that they are very safe and that, most of the time, it's the machine that catches sounds from within the body and not the baby from the machine. She also said that the technology has progressed a lot over the years and that modern machines are very safe.

I think I'm a bit of worrier and didn't want to get it done unnecessarily but now I'm glad I did. Thanks everyone for your postings!

[arthursmum]

Thanks Olivia, i have read that, too. Some women say that their baby moves around more during an u/s like they are trying to get away from the noise..i just wondered of there was something else (i read loads, like you).
best wishes for the final weeks and the birth. :hugs: enjoy your little bundle!