What Is a Growth Scan and Why It Matters for Your Baby’s Health?
Pregnancy is a wonderful journey, but as you enter the final months, the focus shifts entirely to safety and development. One of the most critical steps in ensuring a safe delivery is growth scanning in pregnancy. If you are curious about how well your baby is thriving inside the womb, this scan provides the clear answers you need.
While routine check-ups are important, a specialized growth ultrasound scan offers a deep dive into fetal well-being. Dr. Deepti Mittal, a leading Fetal Medicine Specialist in Pune with over 12+ years of experience, emphasizes that this is not just about checking size—it is about ensuring the placenta is working correctly before labor begins. Currently serving as a Consultant at Cloudnine Hospital (SB Road) and Motherhood Hospital (Kharadi), Dr. Deepti Mittal provides world-class fetal surveillance to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy.
What Is a Growth Scan?
A growth scan, often called a “Fetal Wellbeing Scan” or interval growth scan, is an ultrasound performed in the third trimester. Unlike earlier scans that check for due dates or structural anomalies, the primary purpose of this pregnancy growth scan is to assess how the baby is developing over time.
It answers the vital question: “Is the baby growing at the correct rate?” Beyond just size, it examines the fetal environment, including the amniotic fluid levels (water around the baby), the baby’s position, and the blood flow through the umbilical cord (Doppler).
When Is Growth Scan Done? (Timing & Weeks)
A common question expecting mothers ask is, “growth scan in which week?” or “growth scan in which month of pregnancy?”
There is no single “magic week,” but there are standard protocols:
- 28 Week Growth Scan (7 Month Scanning): This is often the first baseline growth scan 28 weeks to catch early growth restriction.
- 30-32 Week Growth Scan (8th Month Scan): The most common timing. A growth scan at 32 weeks gives a clear picture of the baby’s weight trajectory.
- 34-36 Week Growth Scan (9th Month Scanning): Done to determine the final position and estimated birth weight.
- Serial Scans: In high-risk cases (twins, diabetes), you may have growth scans during pregnancy every 2 to 4 weeks (e.g., at 28, 32, and 36 weeks).
Why Is a Growth Scan Important for Your Baby's Health?
A growth scan in pregnancy is a safety net. It provides critical insights that a simple tummy check cannot.
1. Estimating Fetal Weight
The scan measures the head, tummy, and thigh bone to calculate the Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW).
- Small for Gestational Age (SGA): If the 32 week growth scan weight is below the 10th percentile, the baby might need earlier delivery.
- Large for Gestational Age (Macrosomia): Common in diabetic mothers, where the baby grows too big, affecting delivery plans.
2. Checking Amniotic Fluid (AFI)
The scanning report of pregnancy will mention “AFI” or “Liquor.”
- Oligohydramnios: Too little water.
- Polyhydramnios: Too much water. Both conditions require careful monitoring by a Fetal Medicine Doctor in Pune.
3. Doppler Studies (Blood Flow)
This is the most crucial part of a growth scan Doppler. It checks if the placenta is pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the baby’s brain and heart.
The Growth Scan Report: What Is Normal?
Reading a pregnancy scanning report can be confusing. Here is what Dr. Deepti Mittal looks for in a normal growth scan report:
- Percentiles: A healthy baby usually falls between the 10th and 90th percentile on the growth chart.
- Trajectory: If a 30 week growth scan report showed the baby at the 50th percentile, and the 34 week ultrasound report shows the same, the baby is growing perfectly. A sudden drop (e.g., 50th to 10th) is a red flag.
- Position: The report will state “Cephalic” (head down) or “Breech” (head up).
What is an 8th month scan report? This typically refers to the 32 week pregnancy scan report. It confirms the baby’s growth velocity before you enter the final month.
When Is a Growth Scan Necessary?
While many doctors recommend a routine growth scan at 32 weeks for everyone, it is mandatory if:
- High-Risk Pregnancy: You have Gestational Diabetes, Hypertension (Pre-eclampsia), or Thyroid issues.
- Reduced Movements: You feel the baby moving less.
- Previous History: You had a previous small baby or preterm delivery.
- Twin Pregnancy: Twins require frequent growth scanning in pregnancy to ensure both are growing equally.
- Belly Size Issues: If your “fundal height” measures smaller or larger than your weeks.
What Happens During the Scan?
The growth scan time usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Preparation: You usually do not need a full bladder for a third trimester scan.
- Measurements: The sonographer measures the Head Circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC), and Femur Length (FL).
- Observation: They check the baby’s breathing movements and tone (part of the Biophysical Profile).
- Results: You receive the growth scan images and report immediately.
Detailed Breakdown by Weeks
To help you understand your specific stage, here is what to expect:
28 Week Growth Scan (7 Month Sonography)
This 28 weeks ultrasound is the start of the third trimester. It is a baseline check. A 28 week scan report ensures the anatomy is still normal and the growth curve has started well.
30-32 Weeks Growth Scan (8 Month Pregnancy Sonography)
This is the critical window. A growth scan 32 weeks measurements check is vital because this is when placental issues often appear. If the 30 week growth scan shows a small baby, Dr. Deepti can intervene with nutrition or medications.
34-36 Weeks (9 Month Scan Name: Term Scan)
Often called the term scan in pregnancy, this checks the final position. A 35 week growth scan or 37 week growth scan report helps the gynecologist decide between a normal delivery or C-section.
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.
Why Choose Dr. Deepti Mittal?
- Fetal Medicine Expertise: Trained at AIIMS and FMF (UK), Dr. Deepti is a specialist in Doppler studies and high-risk pregnancies.
- Advanced Technology: She uses high-end ultrasound machines at Cloudnine Hospital and Motherhood Hospital for precise growth scan 30 weeks and beyond.
- Holistic Care: If a growth scan report at 34 weeks shows issues, she doesn’t just hand you a report; she creates a care plan for your baby’s safe delivery.
Conclusion:
A growth scan is the window to your baby’s health in the final trimester. It transforms anxiety into assurance. Whether you need a 31 week growth scan or a detailed 9th month scan report, precision matters.
Don’t wait for doubts to arise. Schedule your Growth Scan in Pune with Dr. Deepti Mittal today to ensure your little one is growing strong and healthy.
Contact: +91 93113 13022 | Email: deepti.mittal8@gmail.com