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What is a Fetal Growth Scan?

he growth scan, or positioning scan, is an ultrasound that is done to assess the baby’s growth and development. It is typically carried out between 23 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. This scan measures the baby’s head circumference, abdomen circumference, and thigh bone measurements allowing the doctor to estimate the fetal weight. All the measurements are plotted on a chart against the normal range to assess the fetal growth in your third-trimester scan. Fetal Growth Apart from this, the doctor, Records the position of the placenta Assesses the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby Measure the abdomen and thigh bone Observes the baby’s activity Measures the blood flow in the umbilical cord using doppler ultrasound Studies the structural anatomy of the baby This scan measures the baby’s head circumference, abdomen circumference, and thigh bone measurements allowing the doctor to estimate the fetal weight. All the measurements are plotted on a chart against the normal range to assess the fetal growth in your third-trimester scan. Because babies grow at different rates from week to week, a series of scans can be more helpful than just one.

Best Fetal Growth Scans

Worried about your NT scan results chart? Get a second opinion from the best fetal medicine specialist in Chennai, Dr Raghav Arora

Experience

With over 15 years of experience,, Dr. Raghav Arora has performed over 1,50,000 successful scans.

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We understand your nervousness after a scan, so we provide same-day reports to ease your mind and save your time.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fetal growth scan is prescribed around 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy to ensure the baby’s health and growth.

This scan is mainly done to make sure that the baby is growing normally.

  • A fetal growth scan is usually done along with a fetal doppler scan. A growth scan assesses the factors including the fetus’s growth, development, and size, while a Doppler scan evaluates the factors including blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus.

    During a fetal growth scan, the doctor measures the fetus’s head, abdomen and thigh measurements. The measurements are plotted on a growth chart according to the number of weeks pregnant that the patient is at the time of the scan (gestational age).

    The main fetal measurements taken for a growth scan include:

    • Biparietal diameter (BPD) measures across the head
    • Head Circumference (HC) – measures around the head
    • Abdominal Circumference (AC) – measures around the abdomen
    • Femur Length (FL) – measures the length of the thigh bone

    An estimate of fetal weight (EFW) can be calculated by combining the above measurements.

    The EFW is plotted on a graph to help determine whether the fetus is average, larger or smaller in size for its gestational age.

    If the fetal weight estimate is below the bottom 10% line on the graph, it is considered to be small for gestational age (SGA). If the fetal weight is above the top 10 per cent line on the graph, it is considered to be significant for gestational age (LGA).

    It is important to note that repeated ultrasound measurements of the same fetus can vary, and the estimated fetal weight can have a around 20% of difference.

  • Although a growth scan and a Doppler scan are not the same, they are often performed together. A growth scan assesses the factors including the fetus’s growth, development, and size, while a Doppler scan evaluates the factors including blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus.

     

  • SGA or Small For Gestational Age term is used when the fetus is smaller than other fetuses of the same gestational age. These babies can be smaller than 90% of other babies within the same gestational age.

    SGA can be due to various factors including:

    • Placental issues
    • Malnutrition
    • Maternal health issues

    If the baby is too small, the healthcare expert might prescribe further screening to assess the baby’s growth and development.

  • LGA or Large For Gestational Age term is used when the fetus is larger than other fetuses of the same gestational age. These babies can be larger than 90% of other babies within the same gestational age.

    LGA can be caused due to various factors including:

    • Maternal health issues including gestational diabetes
    • Genetic issues
    • Mother being obese or overweight

  • Apart from the fetus’s growth and development, there are a few other metrics that are observed during a growth scan including:

    • Amniotic fluid
    • Placenta
    • Umbilical cord
    • Mother’s cervix
    • Baby’s position

  • FGR can be caused due to various factors including:

    Mother having

    • Diabetes
    • High blood pressure
    • Anemia
    • Auto-immune conditions
    • Obesity
    • Smoking/alcohol
    • Malnutrition
    • Multiple babies such as twins, triplets

    Fetus has

    • Infection
    • Birth defects
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