Gosh, Have to go for ANOTHER scan at Kings!

[hpsaucey]

Hello there. As a seasoned survivor of the Kings system, I'd say don't worry. I had a string of 'problems' with my first baby on scans - cysts on the brain and abdomen, placental problems, hormone problems and possible Edward's syndrome (babies do not usually survive for long with this) etc all of which added up to a not very positive probable outcome. My baby was off the scale small - 2 centile to 10 centile until over 30 weeks and then grew. As a result I had 10 or so scans and grew to hate them as I wasn't 'signed off' as probably OK until about 38 weeks.

When my baby was born he was, guess what, TOTALLY average size, weight etc.

I guess I'm agreeing with some of the other posts which say try not to worry. I know how hard it is not too - it haunts and gnaws at you! At King's the staff are great but its almost as if the scans these days can see too much and they feel obliged to tell you what they can see but don't always know whether or not what they see is significant or not.

Also, centile measurements do change and ALL babies grow differently. Mayby your baby is growing a lot taller at the minute rather than putting on mass and fat around the middle? Mine grew substantially around his abdomen in the last 5-6 weeks or so. They're all different.

Good luck and look forward to enjoying your baby!

[hpsaucey]

As a follow up, I realise it makes it sound as though the Kings experience was bad! The staff were nearly all absolutely lovely, caring and did their best. I guess having scans is always going to be worrying and hospitals always involve worry and waiting around as more urgent cases are seen etc.

[poppy]

Hi HeidiHi

Sorry to hear you've had a horrible scan experience - I feel for you as I've just had four weeks of worry following two scans at 12 and 13 weeks where they scared the living daylights out of me so I can imagine how you must be feeling. I also left both scans with loads of questions, but since then I've then had two telephone conversations with consultants there who have been so patient and helpful in explaining things to me and answering all my questions - even when I was in tears at the other end of the phone. Anyway, I just wanted to suggest that you might find it helpful to do the same. I was worried about hassling them when they are so busy but they seemed very happy to talk things through with me and I cannot fault them for their patience and understanding with the calls I made.

Good luck and I hope all turns out well for you.

[Smiler]

Best wishes HeidiHi.

Agree with others that if you come out feeling upset, confused or having loads of questions that were unanswered, do ring them up to talk about it - I have done this and they are good about a doctor / nurse ringing back.

Following up - not necessarily with a complaint, but just to address anything that was left hanging or ask more questions - also encourages the staff to think about how they speak to people in these kind of situations. We have found that some are much, much better than others in terms of what used to be called "bedside manner". Don't think they always realise how distressing it can be for women, or indeed anyone needing to be seen in hospital.

I have also called Kings in advance of appointments when am unsure of what to expect, to ask questions about what the appointment will cover, what tests will be done etc. and have found this to be helpful in preparing myself. Again, they are good about this when you call, though it can sometimes take a while to get through to the right person.

Hope you don't have to spend too much time there before / when the baby arrives, best wishes.

[SteveT]

My brother was 3.5lbs at birth in 1944 when things were primitive, he survived to raise three children.

Yours is a piece larger and will probably be double that weight at full term.