Oxford hospitals enhance growth monitoring for expecting mums
New scanning protocols align with national NHS standards
Oxford University Hospitals is updating its approach to monitoring babies' growth during pregnancy, following recent reviews and feedback.
The changes aim to increase growth scan surveillance for pregnant women who have been identified with risk factors related to their babies' growth.
From now on, women with these risk factors will receive continued growth scan monitoring beyond 36 weeks, even when previous scans are normal.
This decision brings Oxford's scanning procedures in line with NHS England’s Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle standards.
An independent review of the fetal growth scanning pathway is also being commissioned.
Women currently under the hospital's care will be informed of any changes relevant to them during their upcoming appointments and do not need to take any specific action.
Oxford University Hospitals advises any pregnant woman with concerns, including reduced fetal movements, to reach out for advice to ensure appropriate monitoring and investigation.