Question after my recent appointment

ewenner

So I had my 11 week appointment yesterday - U/S and NT Scan all looked normal (yay!) and they drew blood for genetic screenings and MaterniT21 test.  We should have those results in two weeks.  So, I am very happy that the appointment went well, but for my next appointment in four weeks, they will not be doing an U/S, which surprised me.  I'm a first-timer, so I really don't know what to expect, and I assumed they did an U/S at every appointment.  Is it pretty common not to done one at 15-16 weeks?  I figure they'll likely do one at 20 weeks, because isn't that when the anatomy scan is done?  Thanks for our wisdom, ladies!

NeonNoon

Congrats on your normal results

I've had an US at every appointment so far.  I'm not sure what the protocol is.  Not all doctors US at every appointment.  I guess they don't consider it necessary.  Yes, the AS is done around 20 weeks and is more detailed.  Mine was done by an outside technician.

Hopefully you'll start feeling your LO by the next appointment so you'll get reassurance that way

Bostonchelle

A lot of doctors only schedule the 18/20 week anatomy scan. For over 35 there is a 12/13 week scan as well but that's generally it unless there is some issue that they are keeping an eye on.

harmonicbabe26

Bostonchelle said:

A lot of doctors only schedule the 18/20 week anatomy scan. For over 35 there is a 12/13 week scan as well but that's generally it unless there is some issue that they are keeping an eye on.

This. Typically you'll get a dating us at 8w, an NT one at 12 and anatomy scan. I had additional us at 26w due to history of cardiac issues but that's not a typical thing.
Now my first daughter was born overseas and there I had an us at pretty much every appointment, which was really nice...

mandyreads

My first Dr was going to do a bed side u/s each appt until the 20.wk one. But I switched Drs. And then the new Dr just did one to check measurements since I was new at 14 wk and another at 18 wk.
Then I switched to a HR dr and they did one for their own measurements. The HR dr said they will probably do another one later on before I deliver.
I think it all depends on the Dr/clinic. But with my crappy insurance I have to pay $60 for each u/s.

Tsuga76

I've had 3 ultrasounds - one quick one at my first appointment (around 8 weeks), another more thorough  a week or two later, at my request (I was really paranoid), and then the a/s.  I haven't had one since the a/s at 19 weeks, which was "extended" because of AMA.  I didn't have a NT scan, as I had NIPT done. I have no risk factors, aside from the AMA thing, so there's really no need for every visit. I agree with others, it depends on your care provider, and your personal situation.

niknak1208

i think it depends on whether or not you're high risk.  When I was pregnant for my son.. I did not have ultrasounds all the time.  I had two ultrasounds at like 6 weeks and 8 weeks.. because I had infertility and was treating with an RE.. but after that the only other time I had one was at my big anatomy scan. With my daughter I had ultrasounds at every appointment because I had a late loss at almost 20 weeks before her so I was high risk at that point.  This time I'm still high risk because we aren't sure what happened with that pregnancy so we're following the same protocol that we did with my daughter.. but I'm not getting ultrasounds as often. I was in every week with her.. ultrasounds.. non stress tests etc.. but I went once at 9 weeks and I'll go again at almost 14 weeks.. and then I'll start injections at 17 weeks and go every week at that point.  So I think it depends on the situation.  

I'm glad your appointment went well though!!!  It is so nice seeing our little beans on ultrasound. I love it! 

topaz7777

I'm high risk, I had an ultrasound at 12 weeks for the NT scan, and my next one was at 16 weeks (though they could have waited to 20 weeks)  They told me that the 16 week one wasn't really necessary, they were just checking blood flow to the baby because I have a clotting disorder.  They usually schedule one first trimester screen, then the anatomy ultrasound at 20 weeks.  He said at 16 weeks he couldn't really do an anatomy ultrasound because the fetus wasn't developed enough for some of the things he needed to check.

Mrs.McIrish

I'm high risk with twins and did not have an u/s until the anatomy scan at 20 weeks after the nt scan. Then I didn't get an u/s until 30 weeks.... Long waits in between is normal if everything is going ok.

2ndGeneration

 I had a few ultrasounds in the first tri because I had had losses prior. Then I had the NT scan, then the a/s at 20 weeks...that was it, no more. I'm 43 but age was my only risk factor. I actually had more ultrasounds in my 20's pregnancies lol. Baby was born on oct 28.

ewenner

Thank you all for your input and well wishes!  I'm kind of bummed out that I won't get another scan at my next appointment, since at this last one, the little monster was swimming around in there - it was really wild to see.  I suppose I'll just have to be patient until I get to see it doing it's little dance again.