What Is a Growth Scan and Why It Matters for Your Baby’s Health?
Pregnancy is a wonderful journey. With that journey comes the responsibility of mother and baby health. One of the key steps of this journey is a growth scan. If you are pregnant and are curious about your baby’s growth in your womb, a growth scan can provide a clear and important answer. In this blog, we will define a growth scan and describe what it means to you and how Dr. Deepti Mittal, one of the leading fetal medicine specialists, provides care and a Growth scan in Pune so you can have a healthy pregnancy.
What Is a Growth Scan?
A growth scan is an ultrasound used to assist doctors with measuring the baby’s growth in the womb. Typically, a growth scan is done in the Third Trimester, generally around 28-36 weeks pregnant. A growth scan will determine if the baby is growing at the correct rate and permits the examination of other relevant aspects such as fluid levels, the baby’s Position, and blood flow. The primary purpose of a growth scan is to assess fetal development and check that it is progressing normally. Overall, a growth scan is conducted in a safe, painless, and non-invasive way, allowing for peace of mind for parents.
Why Is a Growth Scan Important for Your Baby's Health?
A growth scan is much more than just another ultrasound. It provides important details about your baby’s health & insights about your baby’s growth, which include:
- Baby’s size and weight
- Amniotic fluid levels
- Placental function
- Fetal movement and position
- Blood flow in the umbilical cord
This scan can determine if the baby is too small (fetal growth restriction) or too large (macrosomia), which can affect delivery planning. If there is an early detection, doctors are able to perform timely actions to ensure a safe delivery and a healthy baby. For high-risk pregnancies–such as pregnancies with gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, & multiples–there is an added significance for a growth scan.
When Is a Growth Scan Necessary?
There are many situations where your doctor may suggest a growth scan, including:
- You’re experiencing a high-risk pregnancy
- Your baby is not moving as much as expected
- Your history indicates possible preterm delivery or low birth weight
- You’re pregnant with twins or triplets
- You have other health issues that can affect your pregnancy (i.e., diabetes, thyroid issues)
- Routine assessment during the third trimester
If you live in Pune and you fall into any of the above categories, it is strongly recommended that you undergo a Growth scan in Pune under medical supervision.
What Does the Growth Scan Measure?
The growth scan will measure the following parts of your baby’s body to calculate overall growth:
- Head Circumference (HC)
- Abdominal Circumference (AC)
- Femur Length (FL)
- Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW)
- Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI)
- The position and blood flow to the placenta (sometimes using a Doppler scan)
These measurements can help determine whether your baby is growing normally or whether special attention is needed.
What if the Growth Scan Shows Abnormal Growth?
In some cases, the growth scan may show the baby is smaller than expected and may diagnose Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR). If this is the case, your doctor may do one or more of the following:
- Advise scans are carried out more often
- Advise you to change your diet or lifestyle
- Assess fetal blood flow via Doppler scan
- Determine whether the baby needs to be delivered early
Dr Deepti Mittal is an expert in fetal medicine and provides care to high-risk pregnancies, and has supported many pregnant women before and after this stage via timely diagnosis and careful planning.
Growth Scan in Pune with Dr. Deepti Mittal:
If you are searching for a growth scan in Pune, you’re in excellent hands with Dr. Deepti Mittal, a very experienced Fetal Medicine Specialist. With over 12 years of experience and training from some of the best institutions: AIIMS and FMF UK, Dr. Mittal delivers advanced fetal scans and personalized care. Dr. Deepti Mittal utilizes the most advanced ultrasound technology to perform precise fetal scans and provides scanning services from anomaly scans, Doppler studies to growth scans. Along with this, she is also available to provide expert advice for high-risk and multiple pregnancies.
Conclusion:
A growth scan helps you to ensure your baby is developing normally during pregnancy. It allows you and your doctor to gain valuable information regarding how your baby is doing inside the womb. If you’re pregnant or have a concern for some reason with your baby’s growth related to your pregnancy or baby, don’t delay. Schedule your growth scan in Pune with Dr. Deepti Mittal today, a well-known name in fetal medicine and high-risk pregnancy.