Growth scan

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What is the growth scan?

A growth scan assesses the fetal growth to ensure the baby is growing at the expected rate for gestation. There are several reasons this may be required, which would have been discussed with you by the midwife or obstetric team. The scan lasts around 10 to 15 minutes.

What happens before my examination?

Please attend with an empty bladder. Please note we are a university trust and regularly have students, if you do not wish for a student to be present please inform the sonographer.

What will happen during the examination?

The sonographer will perform a series of measurements to check the growth of the baby. These are:

• HC Head circumference (around the baby’s head).
• AC Abdominal circumference (around the baby’s waist line).
• FL Femur length (the length of the thigh bone).  

These measurements are plotted on a graph to show the growth of the baby compared to the expected range for that gestation. Sometimes measurements of the placenta blood flow are also required known as ‘umbilical doppler’. This helps to check if the blood flow from the placenta to baby is flowing correctly.

The fluid and placental position will be assessed at each scan.

What happens after?

The sonographer will explain the results and a copy will be given to you. If you do not understand the results please ask the sonographer to explain. The sonographer may request that the scan be reviewed by a member of the obstetric team, this may be at an already booked consultant appointment or you may be referred to the maternity assessment unit.