How many ultrasounds on average? (1st timer and not sure)

babyglo350

I made my first appt but my doctor doesn't want to see me until after 10 wks ( currently 5w1d). I'm anxious to see my lil peanut. For an average low risk pregnancy what is average # of ultrasounds that I will have? Will I have one at my first visit? I'm not sure what to expect at this visit. Any answers from experienced mommies is greatly appreciated!

Pepper6

Every doctor does it a little differently, but I know of many that only do one u/s the entire pregnancy, which is the anatomy scan around 18-20 weeks.  The office that I go to does 3 total, one each trimester, but that's not the norm.  Typically, if they are planning to do an u/s, they'll tell you when you schedule your appointment.

flojo973

I'm a first time mom too.  We have a dating u/s this Friday (I'll be 7w4d).  We're going to do the NT scan so that's another u/s around 11-13 weeks.  And then the anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks.  I think my doctor said that's the last ultrasound.  So 2-3 in total.

LindsayDesigner

With my first I had two: one at 13 weeks and another at 21 weeks.

KristaU831

depends on your practice.
im super low risk at mine and i will have a dating us, a nuchal one, and anatomy scan and possibly another to check the spine i guess.
and last time if i stuck with my original dr i would have only had 1. the anatomy scan.
but i switched drs and ended up with 3. a nuchal/dating since i was already 13 weeks when i switched, anatomy and double check anatomy at 24 weeks just to be sure it was still a girl (my dr had gotten a new u/s machine that day and wanted to play with it lol). 

SNBelland

I had two total with my first. The first was at 8 weeks to date my pregnancy since I wasn't 100 percent sure when I got pregnant. The second was the Anatomy Scan, and mine was at 22 weeks. 

LegalLadyBug

With my first the standard was first one at 7/8 weeks, anatomy at 20, and that was it. Sometimes when I went in if they couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler they would pull in the portable u/s machine to do a quick check. Then I became high risk at 34 weeks and I had NST tests and ultrasounds twice a week until I delivered. 

This time I have a different doctor in a different state and I'm told it will be ultrasounds at 8 weeks, 13 weeks, 20 weeks, and 36 weeks. 

You may want to check with your health insurance if you are having more than just a couple as they may not cover them unless under certain circumstances. 

jenb_99

Normal pregnancies only get 2 with the OB group I go to -- 8-week first checkup and 20-week gender/anatomy scan. The optional NT scan is available at 13 weeks, but many patients (myself included) decline. They'll also do a growth scan between 36-38 weeks for babies measuring very large or very small.

High-risk pregnancies and special situations obviously merit more ultrasounds, but the standard is 1-2 at a lot of practices.

athara

My doctor usually schedules two. One at 13 weeks and the other between 18 & 20 weeks.

chusum

Every OB is different. Some women get 1, some 2 some a few more, and some at every appointment. I think for most the OB just does routine Doppler checks except for 2-3 u/s.

flerlgirl

starsinger17

We are seen at a military base hospital so things are a little different but I had ultrasounds at

8 weeks because of spotting

12 weeks for viability

20 weeks for gender

36 weeks to check for breech and all that jazz.

I will probably get one at 10 weeks, 20 weeks, and 36 weeks as long as there are no complications including Gestational Diabetes, weight issues for the baby, etc.

feistybear

I had a total of 4 with my daughter. one at 6 weeks to date, one at 13 weeks because I changed doctors & facilities so the new doctor wanted to check for her self, one at 22 weeks anatomy scan and one at 36 weeks because I had GD and they wanted to make sure she was not growing too large.

babyglo350

Thanks for the info ladies! I don't know why in my mind I thought I would be going to the doctor every month and getting an ultrasound at every appointment. Feeling like a silly newbie lol.