There are many reasons why you may wish to book a growth scan at one point or another during your pregnancy. Growth scans can offer reassurance that your baby is developing as expected – and satisfy your curiosity about how big he or she is getting!
This guide from First Encounters Ultrasound covers everything you need to know about growth scans, including some of the main reasons why you might want to book one for yourself.
Scroll down or choose a question to learn more:
What is a growth scan?
A growth scan is a type of ultrasound scan that can be carried out during pregnancy, typically in the second or third trimester. If you choose to have a growth scan, the sonographer will measure your unborn baby to check their growth development and estimate their weight. They will usually check your baby's head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length.
Here at First Encounters, we offer growth scans between 14 and 40 weeks. As an example, one of our scan packages that includes a growth scan is our popular Growth&Wellbeing™ scan, which is available between 16 and 40 weeks. However, our Date&Wellbeing™ package (which also includes some growth measurements) is offered earlier, between 14 and 16 weeks.
Are growth scans safe for me and my baby?
Our growth scans use modern ultrasound technology, which currently has no known risks. Ultrasound scans are very commonly performed during pregnancy and are routinely offered by the NHS.
Here at First Encounters, we comply with the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) guidelines by only scanning you for as long is necessary to complete the required diagnostic evaluation. Precautions like these are taken to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of your baby.
Why should I book a growth scan?
Everyone's pregnancy journey is different, but here are some of the most common reasons why you might book a growth scan:
Reassurance.
Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience, but it can also be quite anxiety-inducing. The NHS will usually offer just two ultrasound scans between conception and birth. This means there will be long periods of time during your pregnancy where you won't get to check in on your baby at all. If you just want to check more often and make sure that your little one is developing properly, a growth scan may be able to provide the reassurance you need.
A memorable experience.
When you attend a growth scan, you are creating a memory with your child before they are even born, which can help you to feel closer to them. Pregnancy is a special time that you might only experience once or twice in your life, so it's worth making time for unique experiences like this one. This is particularly true if you book our 4DGrowth&Wellbeing™ package, where you will get to see and take home a detailed 3D picture of your growing baby.
You are curious about your baby.
It's only natural to be curious about the person that you are creating. After all, you spend every day together, yet you don't know much about them – yet. A growth scan tells you all sorts of interesting information about your baby that you can share with your close family and friends. Book a growth scan, and enjoy the experience of learning about your baby's progress.
A growth scan has been recommended by a professional.
In certain circumstances, a healthcare professional like a midwife might recommend that you book a growth scan. This is particularly likely if you have gestational diabetes, or if you've had complications in a previous pregnancy. This doesn't mean that anything is wrong with your pregnancy and in many cases will just be a precaution. However, it is still very important to attend a growth scan if a professional has suggested one.
You can be more prepared for potential complications.
During a growth scan, your sonographer may identify potential complications with your pregnancy. It is often better to be aware of complications so that further checks or preparations can be made promptly. When you have a growth scan with First Encounters, we can provide a referral to the NHS (in accordance with our procedures) if we notice matters of concern where further diagnosis is required.
How do I book a growth scan?
At First Encounters, we offer four different growth scan packages. Each of these packages will provide you with useful and interesting information about your baby's measurements. Depending on which scan you pick, you'll discover different additional information alongside these measurements. Our scans are available at a variety of times throughout your pregnancy.
You can click on the above links to find out what each individual scan package includes. Or, if you'd like to speak to a member of our friendly customer service team, you can click the button below to get in touch.
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