too early for anatomy scan?

britgil89

Is 18 weeks too early for scan? More specifically, 17 weeks 5 days.

ebl2

Yes, I was told you have to be at least 20 weeks but no more than 22 weeks to get the best look. 

Cheekers2010

You need 18+

RobinettMomma

I have mine the 21st and ill be 17 weeks exact but i go to a really high tech ultrasound place they have the best machines in the state.

CandEChicago

My OB office will schedule at 18 weeks but they recommended that if you could wait t closer to 20 weeks the better.

What did your OB office say? Did they have an information packet where this might have been covered?

Ajax7861

I had mine today @ 18 weeks, 4 days.

britgil89

She told me in about 4 weeks (almost 20), then they scheduled me for in two weeks. I got excited about the date not realizing it was only two weeks off, andrealized when I got home and saw a calendar. Now I'm disappointed thatit looks like I need to reschedule. Hubby will be bummed too.

Jessie333

They told me 18-20 weeks. They also said that if you want to find out the sex, you need to book at 19+ weeks.

LadyRoarsome

It's a little early. I'll be 21 weeks when I go in.

AlwaysAforeigner

My doctor's office used to do it at 20 weeks (when I was pregnant with DD), but this time they said they do it at 18 weeks. I had mine at exactly 18 d
weeks (yesterday).

britgil89

Thank you all for your opinions. I think I will call the doctor Monday and find out what she wants me to do.

britgil89

RaeChay said:

18 weeks is ok- they were going to have me do that but I declined. The thing is, they may not be able to see everything (and then you have to come back for more, darn).

I had enough of ultrasounds with my last pregnancy and would just rather they see everything and get it done with at 20 weeks.

I don't mind the ultrasounds, just don't want to have to pay for another.

Kim0710

I'll be 19w3d on Monday when we go!

britgil89

PugLife5869 said:

I get mine at the maternal fetal medicine specialist and they told me between 18-22 weeks. I had mine at 18 weeks last time and will again this time. If they can't see everything you shouldn't have to pay for a second.

Doc says insurance only covers one

CandEChicago

britgil89 said:

PugLife5869 said:

I get mine at the maternal fetal medicine specialist and they told me between 18-22 weeks. I had mine at 18 weeks last time and will again this time. If they can't see everything you shouldn't have to pay for a second.

Doc says insurance only covers one

-----------'
If insurance only covers one it might be advisable to reschedule. Unless your doctor won't be billing insurance (in the event they can't see everything they want)...but that seems a little unlikely.

Kasey880

I disagree. I had mine at 16 weeks and it was very obvious were having a little boy. I think it also somewhat depends On your weight from what my doctor told me.

jlbeanza

I had mine at 17 weeks 4 days last time and my doctor assured me that everything they need to see is fully formed by then. You're fine, relax!

CandaceC1020

I'm having my AS at the hospital where I will deliver.  The earliest that they will do the scan is at 20 weeks.  

klm03013

I had mine at 18 weeks per my doctor's suggestion, and everything turned out fine. They had no issues getting the measurements they needed. If you are worried, wait for 20. Unfortunately, that won't guarantee anything as the two other pregnant friends I had went in at 20 and had to go back again since their babies wouldn't move into certain positions.

path75

I was told to do mine as close to 20 weeks as possible. But everyone's situation is different. 

Meether

My insurance doesn't pay for it until it's after 20 weeks. Not sure what the cut off is after that. I'm doing mine at 21 weeks.

lisamarie84

My office schedules it at 22 weeks. I'll be 22 weeks 3 days when I get mine done in August.

kaytastic25

I will be 19 weeks 2d when I go but 20weeks is usually suggested. They can get the sex wrong or might not even be able to see it if too early .

brookey79

The place I'm going likes to do it between 19-20 weeks.  They were very booked up, so I couldn't get an appointment until 21 weeks.

BabyRN2009

18 week minimum.

rshamos

I had mine at 18 and 2 days. It was a great u/s though, better quality than the ones at my old office. They saw everything and didn't have any problems. I bet it depends on the machine being used and the office standards. 

lionyloo32

My OB told me to schedule between 18 - 20 weeks. When I called they asked my due date and would not schedule until exactly 18 weeks or later. Luckily I got in right at 18 weeks and I'm assuming they know what they can/can't see using their equipment at that time.

nolanova85

I have heard you need to be between 18 and 20+6. I am having mine done at 19w5d.

brittandjp

Yes. You need to be 18 weeks at the earliest. 18-20 weeks is the preferred time, though a week or two later is also fine.

brittandjp

An anatomy scan is not to just determine the sex. They look at the measurements of all the vital organs, make sure they're running properly, that there's the right amount of blood flow, the brain is growing, they check for soft markers and other abnormalities, etc. This cannot be properly done until at least 18 weeks.

racheldiaries

I'll be 19w1d on mine which is Monday.

emilylyn03

I found out at 12 weeks. That is all you need to be for a gender ultra sound. The doctor just tries to steer you away from it because some people think the baby looks creepy in that stage of development.

CandEChicago

emilylyn03 said:

I found out at 12 weeks. That is all you need to be for a gender ultra sound. The doctor just tries to steer you away from it because some people think the baby looks creepy in that stage of development.

@Hufflepuff42 or anyone else - do you have that link to help the new girl out?

@emilylyn03 - Welcome and congrats. Be careful using gender and sex interchangeably...they are two different things. Also see posts above about the A/S checking for more than just the baby's sex.

Kasey880

danisgossipgirl said:

Kasey880 said:

I disagree. I had mine at 16 weeks and it was very obvious were having a little boy. I think it also somewhat depends On your weight from what my doctor told me.

An anatomy scan isn't just for a look at the genitals. Sometimes they can't see the heart well enough at 16w, which is kind of important.

Huh... Well I learned something new today lol. Good to know! Thanks!

jessinaround

My MW told me it's best to go between 18-20 weeks. She said much after 20 weeks the baby can get to squished to get a proper look.