Does your OB do 3rd trimester growth scans?

Question

My OB doesn’t, she just checks my fundal heights. I find this a bit odd and I feel like I don’t really have a good idea of how big/small my baby is.

Answer

This is completely normal. My ob is checking mine as I measure 4 weeks behind so she wants to monitor baby to make sure baby is still growing as he should.

Answer

Not unless there's a reason to. Third trimester ultrasounds can be off by 20%. I usually declined them (they were recommended because I had gestational diabetes with 2/3 pregnancies) because I straight up didn't trust them. Especially because most of my providers weren't too worried my babies were going to be big. Haven't had one over 7 pounds 11 ounces.
Now, there are very specific reasons like growth restriction where they are absolutely necessary. You should always follow the advice of your health care provider, not Google or anyone on an app. If they feel it is warranted, you always have the right as a patient to ask why, and to make sure you clearly understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives to any suggested intervention.

Answer

I’m in Australia and generally they only offer an early scan a 12 week and a 20 week anatomy. You only get growth scans if there is other concerns. Your fundal height should give them a rough idea if your measuring ahead or behind by more then two weeks they sometimes will offer a growth scan.

Answer

Not unless there’s a reason. Most people I know that have had one it wasn’t accurate.

Answer

They don’t do them in NZ unless there is a cause for concern regarding babies growth. I didn’t have any with my first two pregnancies but my third has been measuring ahead so I’ve had a scan every 3 weeks from 28weeks

Answer

I never had growth scans with my first three because it wasn’t necessary! 
I only have them with this pregnancy because I’m pregnant with Mono/di twins. I get growth scans every 4 weeks since 12 weeks and now I will get them weekly now that I’m 32 weeks. It’s because my babies share a placenta that I have to have so many ultrasounds.

Answer

It depends where you are located. In Ontario Canada, they always do them even if nothing is wrong so I can’t stand when people say they only do them if something is wrong because that is spreading false information

Answer

Nope. Four pregnancies. Only been done in my second as an emergency because my ob was concerned I was too small but baby was fine. And will be done next week for this one at 32 weeks only because I have/had a low lying placenta at my anatomy scan so they just set a growth scan and will be checking the placenta location at the same time.

Answer

Yes I get one at 36 weeks

Answer

Generally in a low risk pregnancy you get a dating scan and an anatomy scan. Growth scans (ultrasounds in general) can often be wrong anyways.

Does your OB do 3rd trimester growth scans?

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