What is the name of the test to find out how much the baby weighs?

im not sure if its a regular sonogram?





my sister is 35 weeks pregnant. she saw a midwife today who told her that her placenta might have growth retardation because her stomach hasnt grown in the last 10 days but shes going to wait two weeks before she even sees my sister again and then, if theres no growth, she will send her for testing.


im trying to get her a second opinion but i need to find out what type of test shes going to need to check the baby's weight.

What is the name of the test to find out how much the baby weighs?
If concerned, go to an obstetrician. If it happened to be Abruptio Placentae, it could result in a still birth. I admire those who use mid-wives; however, if complications are indicated...it is better to seek highly professional assistance with the delivery.





See the sources below for more information on pregnancy and abnormalities of pregnancy.
Reply:They estimate by feeling the baby from the outside. This can be off by one pound or more, so it isn't that reliable.
Reply:after 35 weeks, she should be seen every week. 2 weeks is a long time considering she ideally only has 5 weeks to go. None the less the babies lung should be completely developed by the 37th week. And what you are looking for is called a sonogram or ultrasound. And yes...tell her she should be seen by an obstetrician NOW if her midwife thinks something may be wrong or wants to postpone ANYTHING for 2 weeks at this point.
Reply:To check on your baby's growth


Later in pregnancy, if there's any concern that your baby is not growing properly, your practitioner may schedule an ultrasound (or a series of them) to measure certain parts of his body. In particular, she'll be measuring the size of your baby's head, the length of his thigh bone, and the distance around his midsection.





Definition





Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) occurs when the unborn baby is at or below the 10th weight percentile for his or her age (in weeks).





Description





There are standards or averages in weight for unborn babies according their age in weeks. When the baby's weight is at or below the 10th percentile for his or her age, it is called intrauterine growth retardation or fetal growth restriction. These babies are smaller than they should be for their age. How much a baby weighs at birth depends not only on how many weeks old it is, but the rate at which it has grown. This growth process is complex and delicate. There are three phases associated with the development of the baby. During the first phase, cells multiply in the baby's organs. This occurs from the beginning of development through the early part of the fourth month. During the second phase, cells continue to multiply and the organs grow. In the third phase (after 32 weeks of development), growth occurs quickly and the baby may gain as much as 7 ounces per week. If the delicate process of development and weight gain is disturbed or interrupted, the baby can suffer from restricted growth.





IUGR is usually classified as symmetrical or asymmetrical. In symmetrical IUGR, the baby's head and body are proportionately small. In asymmetrical IUGR, the baby's brain is abnormally large when compared to the liver. In a normal infant, the brain weighs about three times more than the liver. In asymmetrical IUGR, the brain can weigh five or six times more than the liver.





Causes and symptoms





Doctors think that the two types of IUGR may be linked to the time during development that the problem occurs. Symmetrical IUGR may occur when the unborn baby experiences a problem during early development. Asymmetrical IUGR may occur when the unborn baby experiences a problem during later development. While not true for all asymmetrical cases, doctors think that sometimes the placenta may allow the brain to get more oxygen and nutrition while the liver gets less.





There are many IUGR risk factors involving the mother and the baby. A mother is at risk for having a growth restricted infant if she:








Has had a previous baby who suffered from IUGR








Is small in size








Has poor weight gain and nutrition during pregnancy








Is socially deprived








Uses substances (like tobacco, narcotics, alcohol) that can cause abnormal development or birth defects








Has a vascular disease (like preeclampsia)








Has chronic kidney disease








Has a low total blood volume during early pregnancy








Is pregnant with more than one baby








Has an antibody problem that can make successful pregnancy difficult (antiphospholipid antibody syndrome).





Additionally, an unborn baby may suffer from IUGR if it has:








Exposure to an infection, including German measles (rubella), cytomegalovirus, tuberculosis, syphilis, or toxoplasmosis








A birth defect (like a severe cardiovascular defect)








A chromosome defect, especially trisomy 18 (Edwards' syndrome)








A primary disorder of bone or cartilage








A chronic lack of oxygen during development (hypoxia)








Placenta or umbilical cord defects








Developed outside of the uterus.





Diagnosis





IUGR can be difficult to diagnose and in many cases doctors are not able to make an exact diagnosis until the baby is born. A mother who has had a growth restricted baby is at risk of having another during a later pregnancy. Such mothers are closely monitored during pregnancy. The length in weeks of the pregnancy must be carefully determined so that the doctor will know if development and weight gain are appropriate. Checking the mother's weight and abdomen measurements can help diagnose cases when there are no other risk factors present. Measuring the girth of the abdomen is often used as a tool for diagnosing IUGR. During pregnancy, the healthcare provider will use a tape measure to record the height of the upper portion of the uterus (the uterine fundal height). As the pregnancy continues and the baby grows, the uterus stretches upward in the direction of the mother's head. Between 18 and 30 weeks of gestation, the uterine fundal height (in cm.) equals the weeks of gestation. If the uterine fundal height is more than 2-3 cm below normal, then IUGR is suspected. Ultrasound is used to evaluate the growth of the baby. Usually, IUGR is diagnosed after week 32 of pregnancy. This is during the phase of rapid growth when the baby should be gaining more weight. IUGR caused by genetic factors or infection may sometimes be detected earlier.
Reply:do not listen to the midwife. just because her stomach hasn't grown, it does not mean that the baby isn't growing. 10 days is not a lot of time. babies only gain a half a pound a week at that stage and you would be able to tell that by measuring the stomach anyway. the only way you can tell how much they weigh is to have a sonogram done. the will take measurements and do an estimate as to how much the baby weighs.
Reply:They can do an ultrasound to determine weight.


The measure the amount of amniotic fluid and a number


of other things.


If there is a strong heartbeat and the baby is moving she


should be fine. I would ask for a second opinion also


in the next few days. They can send her for an ultrasound


to check all measurements. They can do a biophysical scan.