"Inaccurate pregnancy sizing scan"

Hi there,

I just wanted to write about our experience at apex radiology recently. Our baby had been tracking on the larger scale from 32 weeks so our doctor recommended a sizing scan to be completed as precautionary measure to try and gauge the size of our baby. Upon entering Apex at Busselton Hospital we noticed the waiting room was crowded and there seemed to be a sense of stress among everyone. This did not change when entering the room for the scan. As soon as the scan began we both noticed the sonographer was rushing and also seemed quite stressed. They constantly explained to us that they could not get an accurate reading and then explained "the babies head is off the chart". They then attempted to get an abdomen measurement continuously moving from side to side and explaining how difficult it was to get an accurate measurement. The whole scan went for around 20 minutes and we were ushered out awaiting the report. This was not a great experience.

Upon receiving the report we were obviously extremely stressed as it was estimated that the babies weight was 5.1kg and an abdomen measurement off the charts but not the head. We were called into the maternity ward where we met the midwives for immediate ctg monitoring and then a discussion with our doctor.

We were advised that we had 2 options. Either an induction or an elective c-section with in the following days. This was then reduced to 1 option of c-section after our doctor consulted the obstetrician  consultant at Bunbury. We were also informed that we were no longer able to give birth at Busselton due to the high risk. Considering our experience at apex and the continuous mention of how difficult it was to get an accurate scan we asked for a second scan somewhere else like vestrum. We were told that this wasn't really an option. After a longer chat and discussing all the options/days we then asked 1 more time for a second opinion and scan. We were politely told again this wasn't an option.

Thankfully, we had a private midwife that was able to book us in to see one of the consultants at Bunbury. They managed to book us into a scan at Vestrum. This scan estimated babies weight to be 4.3kg. 800 grams different to Mondays scan, 3 days later.

We have now had our baby at 41+4, a week after the Vestrum scan. Our baby weighed 3.83kg. 1.3kg less than the Apex scan 10 days prior. Almost exactly 25% less. We both understand that scans at full term are difficult and there is margin for error, but 25% is outrageous.

We just wanted to provide this feedback to try and prevent someone else going through this experience. It completely changed what had been a really nice pregnancy with little complications or stress.

We believe that if the sonographer really struggled that much they should have requested a more senior sonographer to come and confirm their measurements or refer us to Vestrum, not provide completely innacurate measurements.

Although we had a great experience with our doctor, we believe they should be aware that there is always the ability for a second opinion with the specialists at Bunbury. It should not have taken our private midwife to make those arrangements for us.

We hope you understand and can appreciate our concerns with the poor experience we had.

Thank you,