On confirmation of your pregnancy, you will be asked to undergo various ultrasound scans to check the health of your unborn. A growth scan is an important scan in the journey of pregnancy.

Get your growth scan dates scheduled from your gynecologist as it is essential to track and notice the baby’s growth. The third-trimester growth scan essentially does what it says on the tin and assesses your baby’s health while also measuring how well he or she is developing.

When do you have growth scans?

To ensure that their unborn child is developing normally, pregnant moms frequently get a third-trimester growth scan between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. Your growth scan’s timing will be determined by how high-risk your pregnancy is deemed to be.

Since having more scans could make you anxious, you can choose not to have them if you choose. These scans are done, though, so that we can find any anomalies before they pose a risk to you or your unborn child.

How many growth scans are necessary?

• Moderate-risk pregnancy – You will be given the option to have three extra scans during the third trimester at 32, 36, and 40 weeks if your pregnancy is deemed to be of moderate risk.
  
• Low-risk pregnancy – You will be given the option to have two further scans in the third trimester at 32 and 36 weeks if it is determined that your pregnancy has a slightly elevated risk.

Why do I need a growth scan at 34 weeks?

A third-trimester pregnancy growth scan may be advised by your doctor or midwife to make sure your baby is growing normally.

Women in the third trimester would be offered growth scan dates if there were any additional problems, such as decreased fetal movements.

To determine whether the baby is receiving all the oxygen and nutrients they require through the placenta, this usually entails assessing the growth, the liquor, and the dopplers.

Do you get a growth scan at 36 weeks?

Your baby’s lungs are fully developed by 36 weeks and are prepared for them to take their first breath after birth. Checking your baby’s position for birth at 36 weeks is ideal. If the baby is laying sideways, breech, or in the typical position, the growth scan at 36 weeks will show it.

How many scans are done in the third trimester?

Because there is growing evidence that this enables better detection of growth abnormalities and ensures better outcomes for babies, more and more obstetricians are referring women for two third-trimester ultrasounds, often at 28 weeks and 36 weeks.

The number of scans required varies depending on a variety of factors and is unique to each pregnancy. Late pregnancy scans are typically scheduled at:

• pregnancy is between 28 and 32 weeks. A growth and fetal well-being scan will be suggested by your doctor to show how your unborn child is developing.
  
• A second growth scan and a color Doppler exam are performed between 36 and 40 weeks of pregnancy, getting closer to the delivery date.

What does the growth scan reveal?

Once the growth scan dates are scheduled and when you go for a growth scan, your gynecologist might will observe the following:

In the third trimester, you might get additional scans if:

• Your baby isn’t moving as frequently or well as he should be
  
• If not more, you are carrying twins
• In a previous scan, the umbilical cord was visibly wrapped around your baby’s neck
• For her gestational age, your baby appears smaller or larger than normal
• You have a medical condition, such as diabetes, hypertension, or issues with your liver
• You experienced difficulties with a previous or ongoing pregnancy
• You have pain or vaginal bleeding

Pregnant women and their unborn children are thought to be totally safe during ultrasound exams, with no adverse consequences.

However, if there are specific medical justifications for a scan, your obstetrician will only suggest it.

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