Growth Scan in Chennai: Why the Third Trimester Scan Matters

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Jul 15
5 min read

As your pregnancy progresses into the third trimester, your baby's growth and well-being become the primary focus of prenatal care. One of the most important ultrasound examinations during this stage is the Growth Scan. If you're looking for a Growth Scan in Chennai, understanding its purpose and benefits can help you prepare for a healthy delivery and ensure your baby is developing as expected.

A growth scan provides valuable information about your baby's size, estimated weight, position, amniotic fluid, and placental function. It also helps healthcare providers identify conditions such as fetal growth restriction (FGR) or excessive fetal growth, allowing timely intervention when necessary.

In this blog, we'll explain what a growth scan is, when it's performed, what it assesses, and why it's an essential part of third-trimester pregnancy care.

What Is a Growth Scan?

A Growth Scan is a detailed ultrasound examination performed during the third trimester to monitor your baby's growth and overall well-being. Unlike the anomaly scan, which focuses on fetal anatomy, the growth scan evaluates whether your baby is growing appropriately for the stage of pregnancy.

The scan includes measurements of the baby's head, abdomen, and thigh bone to estimate fetal weight and compare growth with standard pregnancy charts.

When Is a Growth Scan Done?

A growth scan is usually performed between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Depending on your medical history and pregnancy condition, your doctor may recommend one or more growth scans.

Women with high-risk pregnancies may require additional scans to monitor fetal growth more closely.

Why Is a Growth Scan Important?

The third trimester is a crucial period because your baby gains most of its weight during these weeks. A growth scan helps ensure that the baby is receiving enough oxygen and nutrients from the placenta.

The scan helps healthcare providers:

Monitor fetal growth
Estimate the baby's weight
Assess amniotic fluid volume
Evaluate placental position and appearance
Check the baby's position for delivery
Detect fetal growth restriction (FGR)
Identify babies who are larger than expected
Plan pregnancy management and delivery

Early detection of growth concerns allows doctors to recommend additional monitoring or treatment when required.

What Does a Growth Scan Assess?

1. Baby's Growth

The scan measures important fetal parameters, including:

Head circumference (HC)
Biparietal diameter (BPD)
Abdominal circumference (AC)
Femur length (FL)

These measurements are used to estimate your baby's weight and growth pattern.

2. Estimated Fetal Weight

Using standardized formulas, the ultrasound estimates your baby's weight and compares it with expected growth for your stage of pregnancy.

3. Amniotic Fluid

The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby is measured to ensure it is within the normal range.

Too little or too much amniotic fluid may require closer monitoring.

4. Placental Assessment

The scan evaluates the placenta's location, maturity, and function to ensure it continues to support your baby's growth.

5. Baby's Position

The baby's position—head-down, breech, or transverse—is assessed to help plan for delivery.

6. Fetal Movement

The ultrasound allows your healthcare provider to observe your baby's movements and overall activity.

7. Doppler Blood Flow (When Indicated)

In certain pregnancies, Doppler ultrasound may be performed alongside the growth scan to assess blood flow between the placenta and the baby.

Who Needs a Growth Scan?

Although many women have at least one third-trimester growth scan, it is especially recommended for pregnancies with:

High blood pressure or preeclampsia
Gestational diabetes
Previous baby with growth restriction
Twin or multiple pregnancy
Reduced fetal movements
IVF pregnancy
Placental abnormalities
Previous stillbirth
Maternal medical conditions
Suspected fetal growth restriction

Your fetal medicine specialist will determine the appropriate frequency of scans based on your individual pregnancy.

Is a Growth Scan Different From an Anomaly Scan?

Yes.

The Anomaly Scan, performed between 18 and 22 weeks, focuses on detecting structural abnormalities in the baby's organs.

The Growth Scan, performed later in pregnancy, evaluates how well your baby is growing and whether the placenta is functioning effectively.

Both scans are important and serve different purposes.

How Should You Prepare for a Growth Scan?

Preparation is usually simple.

Wear comfortable clothing.
Bring previous ultrasound reports.
Carry your pregnancy records.
Follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider.

Unlike some early pregnancy scans, a full bladder is generally not required for a third-trimester growth scan.

Choosing the Right Centre for a Growth Scan in Chennai

Selecting a specialized fetal medicine centre is important for obtaining accurate assessments and expert pregnancy care.

Look for a centre that provides:

Experienced fetal medicine specialists
Advanced ultrasound technology
High-resolution imaging systems
Doppler ultrasound services
Comprehensive fetal growth assessment
Personalized care for high-risk pregnancies
Detailed reporting and counselling

A dedicated fetal medicine centre can accurately monitor your baby's progress and recommend timely interventions if needed.

Benefits of a Growth Scan

A growth scan offers several important advantages:

Monitors healthy fetal development
Detects growth restriction early
Estimates fetal weight before delivery
Assesses placental function
Evaluates amniotic fluid levels
Identifies babies requiring closer monitoring
Helps plan safe delivery
Provides reassurance for expecting parents

Conclusion

A Growth Scan in Chennai is one of the most valuable third-trimester ultrasound examinations. It helps ensure your baby is growing well, assesses placental function, and identifies potential concerns before delivery.

Whether you have a routine pregnancy or require additional monitoring due to medical conditions, a growth scan performed by an experienced fetal medicine specialist provides essential information for safe pregnancy management. Regular prenatal care, combined with timely ultrasound assessments, plays a vital role in supporting the health of both mother and baby.

Doctor's Note

"A growth scan is much more than a routine ultrasound—it is an important assessment of your baby's health during the final months of pregnancy. By carefully monitoring fetal growth, placental function, and amniotic fluid levels, we can identify concerns early and provide timely interventions when needed. Every pregnancy is unique, and personalized monitoring helps ensure the safest possible outcome for both mother and baby."

— Dr. Divya Ravikumar, MBBS, DNB (OG), MRCOG, PDF (Fetal Medicine), Fetal Medicine Specialist

FAQs

1. When should I have a growth scan during pregnancy?

A growth scan is usually performed between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, although additional scans may be recommended for high-risk pregnancies.

2. What is the purpose of a growth scan?

The scan monitors your baby's growth, estimates fetal weight, evaluates amniotic fluid, assesses placental function, and helps detect growth-related concerns.

3. Can a growth scan estimate my baby's weight accurately?

Yes. Ultrasound provides an estimated fetal weight based on several measurements. While it is generally reliable, it remains an estimate and may vary from the actual birth weight.

4. Is a growth scan safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Growth scans use ultrasound technology, which is considered safe for both mother and baby when performed by qualified healthcare professionals.

5. Will I need more than one growth scan?

Many women have one routine growth scan, but those with high-risk pregnancies, multiple pregnancies, or suspected fetal growth issues may require additional scans.

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