NHS scan vs private for measurements - MEASUREMENTS DIFFERENT?

This happened with my son. NHS was measuring him “small” and wanted to induce me, went for a private scan and they told me he was a perfect size and what they would expect. (NHS follow a “graph” which basically indicates what your baby should be when your BMI, height, ethnicity etc is basically tallyed all together). I listened to the NHS and accepted an induction at 39 weeks where they even spoke to be about an INCUBATOR for my baby because he was measuring “so small”, but as it was my first baby and it was in Covid which was such a lonely time already, the scaremongering of it all made me just want baby here, he was born at 7lb 3oz a completely healthy weight and I wish I listened to the private scan more. Xx

Just a slight change in baby’s position can change the readings so they aren’t an exact science unfortunately. The sonographers do the best they can with what presents at the time. My baby had a small head and large abdomen all the way through my pregnancy, she was born completely in proportion and perfectly healthy

I had a scan around 37 weeks and baby was weighing 7lbs 4oz, he was born 38+3 6lbs 8oz, so they are definitely not accurate x

Throughout my pregnancy they were worried he could be a big baby but I was also retaining a lot of water. The private scans I had weren't worried but I even got 2 extra scans on the nhs. Got induced at 39 weeks and he was 8 pounds 14, I had a c section and they said he was quite high up so if I had a natural delivery I would have been late, so the nhs were right he would have been on the bigger size if I left it till my due date

Ultrasounds aren't always accurate, so try not to worry.

I had a private scan recently - not as far along as yourself - the sonographer explained to me that it’s common for you to measure differently when scanned by NHS, she stated that her equipment was actually more accurate!

If you had 5 sonographers scanning you at the same time they would all come up with different numbers. It’s just the normal variation. As for your gestation that should not change based on scan findings. The due date is calculated at the beginning of the pregnancy as all babies are the same size then. Later on they grow differently (nutrition, placental function, parents height etc). You have to go by your original gestation to be able to assess growth of baby

Their belly measurement can change size in literally hours. The swallow and wee out amniotic fluid so if the tummy is full they will have a bigger measurement than if they had just weed all the fluid out so the measurement could both very well be right. The measurements are only as good as the moment they’re taken

Had this with my second born I was monitored and put in path way D as the NHS told me she was measuring small from 20 weeks and my baby come out weighting 9lb 6oz so I wouldn’t worry yourself they aren’t always right xx

Any measurements done by anyone while baby is still in utero are not an exact science. They can be at least 10-20% off either way. Also private scans are not medical scans so they are not there to advise medically. That's their entire point and won't scan you unless you confirm that your attending your NHS scans. The NHS scans are there to check the health of your growing child and you. Literally the only purpose. Private scans are there for that different experience and that's why they are different. Also. They're always going to tell you they're more accurate etc because if they told you they weren't you wouldn't book back in. Always remember that private scan places have one interest - profit.

@Bethan the NHS also run for profit, regardless. and they never said they were more accurate. They actually never even challenged the NHS neither did I bring it up. It’s just a simple question. Thank you for your answer!

@Jessy I was more responding to someone else saying they were more accurate and that not being a statement you can trust. Window to the womb actually kept calling me asking me to book more scans at £90 a time.