Growth and wellbeing scan

When is this done?

This examination is normally performed later in pregnancy (> 26 weeks) when a woman wishes to have the baby's size estimated. This scan concentrates on performing measurements of the head, waist, and thigh bone. It is possible to estimate the baby's weight using these measurements.

Wellbeing

The baby's wellbeing is assessed by examining the amount of fluid around the baby and the function of he placenta ('afterbirth') using a technique called Doppler ultrasound. Doppler measures the pattern blood flow in the baby's umbilical cord. The new 3/4 D technology can also be achieved at the growth and well being scans demonstrating baby's facial features and often baby yawning, sucking, grimacing and sometimes smiling.