This is the first question any mother-to-be would have while meeting with her Ob/Gyn. During the course of the pregnancy, doctor visits become very common and as the pregnancy progresses, these visits would, in all likelihood, increase too. As your baby grows, there are several aspects your doctor would need to understand and factor.
Are you healthy? Are all of your health factors in place and normal?
Is the pregnancy progressing fine?
How is your baby doing? Is his or her growth normal?
To answer these questions, you will have to undergo a number of tests and scans, so your doctor can tick off everything and help you through a smooth and healthy pregnancy, right through to your delivery.
The answers to these questions will also help your doctor understand the next course of action to be taken. Would you be requiring more medication, is there a need for treatment? Do you need more rest or are you allowed to engage in your routine activities? These are important and therefore, each test that your doctor asks you to go for only means that they are necessary.
One of the most routine scans is what is known as the Growth Scan.
As you would have guessed correctly, this scan measures how well your baby is growing.
This is generally a third-trimester scan, but your doctor might order more than one. In case that happens, don’t be worried. There are some reasons why you would need more growth scans than usual.
There are a few things that are noted down before the scan begins. One of them is the gestational age of your baby. This figure will give average numbers that are then compared to understand whether your baby’s measurements are normal or not. Here are some of the key measurements that are taken during the scan:
These numbers are plotted on a graph and compared with the gestational age for the release of the results. The estimated fetal weight is calculated through the process.
Let’s understand what these results could be.
Additional growth scans generally happen after a gap of two weeks to factor in the variations in the ultrasound scan.
Like most scans in your pregnancy, the growth scan will also be an ultrasound scan. Just like the other ultrasound scans, there will be some jelly applied to your abdomen and a hand-held probe will help bring up images of your uterus and your baby which would then be sent for the measurements and calculations.
we ensure that you are kept updated of every scan and test you will need so that you are not taken by surprise. As always, the moment we know, we will share the results with you to cut down on unnecessary anxiety that the scans could cause. We are here for you and your baby and we will make sure that your comfort and convenience are taken care of.
The PCPNDT Act prohibits the determination of the gender of the fetus. It is illegal and will not be performed.
A growth scan is generally done between weeks 28 and 32 – during the third trimester. If necessary, more such scans will be taken before the delivery. In most cases, another ultrasound will be taken closer to the due date to check the fetal position.
A growth scan helps assess the baby’s growth and development. It will also check the amniotic fluid levels and placental function. If there are any specific health concerns or other complications in the pregnancy, the scan will help check on that as well.
A little smaller than average is nothing to worry about. However, the doctor will conduct more tests to determine whether the baby’s lack of growth is due to fetal growth restriction (FGR) or other reasons. The doctor may take more frequent scans to monitor the baby’s growth until delivery closely.
Growth scans reveal important information about the baby’s growth and development. These scans help not only check the baby’s size but also detect fetal growth restriction or low oxygen supply to the baby. The scan as such is nothing to worry about.
