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Was your belly measurement off somehow? 32 weeks is early to do a growth scan if they don't have an indicator that something is wrong.

My first was 5 lb 5 oz and 17 inches. my husband and I are small and our moms had small babies. When they had me going in for third trimester growth scans for my second I was annoyed but did it. I had some asymmetrical growth at 30 weeks - didn't measure behind until the very end. I was induced for IUGR at 38 weeks I was really annoyed. LO 2 was 5 lb 6 oz but 19.5 inches (sort of average length). He gained like gangbusters and was 19.5 lbs and almost 30 inches at a year. Even though I still don't really believe the IUGR diagnosis, better to be safe than sorry I guess. I think I just have constitutionally small kids. I fully expect the same issues with my third.

Given all of this information I would probably not consent to the scan. I think it is "standard practice" with some OBs, but that doesn't mean it is necessary!

@gotkimchi: I do ultrasounds through the hospital because my midwives don't have the equipment and the hospital always wants me to do extra stuff because I was overweight to start. Thankfully the midwives are less insistent! Maybe just make sure it'll be covered by insurance?

@gotkimchi: I had a 28 week scan to check my cervix because I had a history of preterm labor. At this appointment they said he was small and in light of the fact that my first was small for gestational age, scheduled a growth scan for 30 weeks. Being small isn't a big deal but assymetrical growth can be. I was totally annoyed and never nervous about his growth until my 38 week scan when they found no growth at all and sent me to be induced. I had growth scans at 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 weeks. On the off weeks I had an ultrasound to check fluid, baby's practice breathing, cord flow, and probably a few other things I can't now remember. My husband is a doctor and poo poos most stuff but was like yeah we have to do this. In the end, it was annoying and I paid a lot out of pocket.... but what if something was wrong and I had declined the scans? I would never have forgiven myself. If you just have small kids what likely will happen is one scan at 32 weeks and maybe one more.

@gotkimchi: are you over 35? At my anatomy scan they did the same thing and scheduled me for a 32 week scan. When I asked if it was because of my age since I did not have one last time the dr said yes.

Did they officially diagnose your first as iugr? My first was so I automatically had growth scans with my second even though his size was fine. I was supposed to have them every few weeks at the end but I opted out of the last couple which my midwife fully supported. She said if my belly measurement was off they could get me in for one. Maybe that is an option?

I had a growth scan at 32 weeks and they repeated at 36 weeks. But they told me ahead of time they would do both to compare. Mine were because of how giant my first baby was and truthfully the estimate they gave me at 36 weeks was very accurate (9 lbs 10 ounces was the birth weight and what that estimate).

All my ultrasounds were done in my OB's office except for one where I was referred to maternal fetal medicine for an unrelated issue that turned out to be nothing.

It is standard at my OBs to have a 32 week growth scan.

@gotkimchi: So tell them you're not interested because you don't feel like it's necessary. Ask them what your risk factors are. Refuse it. There are risks to EVERY procedure.

If your OB likes evidence based medicine: http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1111%2Faogs.12249?r3_referer=wol&tracking_action=preview_click&show_checkout=1&purchase_site_license=LICENSE_DENIED_NO_CUSTOMER (you should be able to see the first page in preview)
highlights from the abstract include: "but overall perinatal morbidity and mortality remain unchanged" [with 3rd tri ultrasound), and "There was a significant increase of induction of labor and elective cesarean sections due to suspected large-for-gestational-age in the study group; there we no other differences regarding intervention."

Personally, I will not do a 3rd tri ultrasound if everything looks normal on the 2nd tri one.

I had a growth ultrasound because my belly was small at around 35/36 weeks with DD. They estimated that she was almost 7 pounds already--WHAT?!--and royally freaked me out. A couple of weeks later, my midwife pressed around on my belly and made a much more accurate guess about weight (that even two weeks later, she was around 6.5/7lbs pounds). She was born the day before her due date at 7lbs 13oz. Turns out, they'd used a head measurement for the first estimate....and girlfriend has always had (and still has) a huge noggin.

@gotkimchi: yes, after 30 weeks I had growth scans every 2 weeks and on the off week, a biophysical profile. I forget what estimates they had for % but I know it was small, probably 5% or so. The bigger concern was his belly to head ratio was off (abdomen skinny) which can be a sign of IUGR. Everything looked fine and he was growing slowly but surely, until 38w scan when they sent me straight to the hospital for delivery. Although my doc had prepped me for that scenario (and actually had told me we probably wouldn't go past 39w because of his size), I was still shocked and upset by the emergency induction. I'm fully prepared for it this time (pregnant again) and know I'll have a 32 week scan already. Based on my understanding the biggest factor is interval growth. Even if the baby is small, as long as he is growing along his curve, he's fine. Good luck!

@gotkimchi: all of that said, My OB doesn't think I necessarily make deficient placentas, just small kids. But in the end, you can't be too sure. I would just prepare for a 36-38 week baby (which would be totally healthy and fine) and if you're able to cook him longer, great! My first was 5 lb 5 oz and 17.5 inches but is still 5% for weight and maybe 20% for height at age 4. My second 5 lb 6 oz and 19 inches, was a bit skinny the first month. He's now probably 15% for weight and 30% for height at 17m. Totally healthy kids.