Should I allow u/s at 34 weeks?

[foolishpony]

I'm 33 weeks and have been under the care of a great midwife in an OB practice. She's completely on board with a VBAC. I was "required" to see one of the OBs in the practice last week (just one visit with an OB). My midwife warned me that I'd be lectured about threatening my life and the baby's, and I was. She also told me to smile and nod and just get through the visit and not worry about it. My question is: the OB measured me 2 weeks bigger than what I "should" be. Ok, this is my 2nd baby and I am short, so yes I'm big. The midwife has measured me as the "right" size the whole pregnancy. So, the OB said I need to have an u/s because this baby is already so big and how can I possibly deliver a large baby when I couldn't deliver a 7 1/2 lb. baby?! (my daughter was born in a different state -- I was uninformed and stupid and allowed induction, which obviously didn't work). The u/s is scheduled for next Wednesday and I have an appointment with the midwife the next day. I'm inclined to cancel the u/s and just wait and see what she says. Am I crazy or being irresponsible?

This is my first ever post on MDC -- so glad to be here!

[rebeccajm]

I'd cancel the U/S. Those things are never right in predicting size. The doc is being out of line IMO. Good luck!

[catspage]

I guess it all depends. When I saw my midwife at 29 weeks, I measured exactly 29 weeks. The OB measured me as being 34 weeks at my 32 week appointment and scheduled me to have an u/s yesterday. At the u/s, the baby measured right at the 50th percentile, so the OB can no longer say that the baby is measuring too big. When I was pg with my first DD, they also thought she would be "too big" at around 9lbs. She was 5 lbs 13 oz when born.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I would base my decision on what would happen should the u/s show a "large" baby. If it does and you would then be forced into a repeat c or anything like that then I would not do the u/s. If on the other hand it wouldnt change your care or how you got to birth then I dont see the harm.

[GOPLawyer]

Nope...I wouldn't go near that u/s if you paid me (or that OB for that matter).

[ShwarmaQueen]

You would have thought I was carrying a moose from the way the OBs were carrying on about DD. She ended up 8.14oz at 40 wks. :

[ShwarmaQueen]

I'd cancel the appt.

[liberal_chick]

I wouldn't have one at this late a date. It just seems like it would be a gateway to start saying things like "well, your fluid looks low" "your placenta seems to be degrading" "your baby is so big" etc. I declined one at 36 weeks b/c I was worried they'd just "discover" a bunch of "problems" if they did one.

[peachsara]

ITA with pps. U/S are notoriously unreliable for predicting the size of the baby and drs tend to use them to find any reason to induce you or schedule a C/S.

My OB was concerned that my son was getting "too big" to deliver and induced me at 40 weeks. It ended up in an unnecessary C/S and he was only 7lbs 4 oz.

Talk to your midwife about it - my guess is that she will suggest you cancel the U/S

[fwlady]

I would cancel too for the reasons the PPs mentioned. Say, "I am not feeling well, my kids are sick and my husband is working". Whatever. Then, go to the MW appt, and see what she says, or even if she mentions it. She may not even know that the OB scheduled it. If HE calls you about it, you could say, "well, the kids were sick and I totally forgot about rescheduling it."

You didn't mention if you would have any issues cancelling it with, "I am calling to cancel, no I don't want to reschedule, thank you." Or if you needed some easy way to get out of it. So, I thought I would add that.

I had one scheduled for 20 wks with our fourth. I wanted to find out the gender, but DH didn't. I really don't believe in "routine" U/S, but I thought it would be fun to find out. So, I just called and cancelled. They asked when I wanted to reschedule, and I told them that I just didn't see it was necassary. They persiste to say that they were not just checking organs, but looking for size and dates, etc. I again, said that I didn't feel that was necassary. And, I was off the phone. After finding out how interventive that OB was, I am SOOO glad that I did.

Kymberli

[mandib50]

measuring 2 weeks "bigger than you should be" is very much in the range of normal. i personally would cancel.

[MeepyCat]

Aren't fundal height measurements less predictive late in the third trimester anyway?

In your situation, I'd cancel the u/s. There are some legit reasons to have one at that point, but checking fetal size is not one of them.

[Bluegoat]

I wouldn't go. His comments are pretty indicative of his view of the matter, I would say and he;ll only put pressure on you to do a repeat section. Late u/s is often far off anyway.

Ask your midwife if you want some more input.

[SalmonBayDoula]

lots of good answers, but wanted to throw out a question...

what are you going to do with the "information" you receive from the u/s???

If you are not going to do anything different than you are already doing, then why go?

Sharon

[LiLStar]

The only "reason" for an ultrasound is to be bullied into an induction or RCS when the baby appears "big". And even if you have a huuuuuge baby in there (*insert eyeroll here*) who cares? You can do it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roFVkDV45MM

I had my c/s for an 8lb 14oz baby, and my hbac with a 10lb 2oz baby And I'm only 5'2".

[MamaMem]

Originally Posted by SalmonBayDoula

lots of good answers, but wanted to throw out a question...

what are you going to do with the "information" you receive from the u/s???

If you are not going to do anything different than you are already doing, then why go?

Sharon

yeah ^^ that. Be very careful in your decision. Believe in what you decide and stand strong.

I have been where you are. I went to the u/s just to keep the OB quiet. Then she threw the "'superbigbaby" card at me. I calmly reminded her that they are not very accurate and I don't care if I am carrying an elephant, I am not RCS without a trial of labor. (she predicted an 11lb baby and he was 10lb 11oz, but most are not nearly so close to their predictions)

[pampered_mom]

I'd cancel the u/s...after the 38 week u/s that lead to my c/s with ds (b/c he was so huge, but he was more than 1lb smaller than the u/s estimate) I just don't think it's a wise proposition. I'd rather not open the door to that kind of hassle.

[Fujiko]

If your midwife is working "under the authority of" the doctor, canceling the appointment might raise issues for you. Talk to your midwife and see if there will be any repercussions for you if you cancel.

BTW, ITA with pp posters on the absurdity of the u/s and the risks he might try to scare you by blowing things out of proportion. OTOH, my very laid back lay midwife requires her VBAC clients to have an ultrasound at 32 weeks to check placenta position, for placenta accretia/percretia, and the scar thickness. So...yeah.

[guest9920]

Too much fluid?

OK so I'm in a similar boat except that I'm only 31 weeks. My midwife ordered the ultrasound because she is concerned that I might have too much fluid which could cause a cord prolapse if my water were to break. Is this just BS or a legitimate concern? Just bringing it up in the case that the ultrasound might be a good thing for this mom plus I'd like to know.

[foolishpony]

Update

Just wanted to thank everyone for weighing in! I did cancel the u/s and saw my midwife today. She totally agreed with me that it was not necessary and wrote in my chart that I'd declined the u/s. She assured me that I wouldn't have to see an OB again. I feel so much better about the coming weeks. Thanks again for all the support!