8 week ultrasound QUESTION

SSCmomma

My first appt will be at 8 weeks with an US.  They didn't mention having a full bladder.  Has anyone had an 8 wk without a full bladder or did they just end up doing a transvaginal US?  I can call this week but I'm just curious.  Thx.

mrszoess

I had a transvaginal. abdominal for me wasn't until the NT at week 12. I am plus size however so it may vary based on size and Doctor 

SSCmomma

I am ps as well.  I'm just surprisedthey wouldn't either mention doing a transvaginal or tell me to have a full bladder.  They also mentioned my first appt would be with a PA.  I think I'm just starting to question my choice of dr office.  Maybe it's time for me to start shopping around again.

Knottie25816533

My first was at 6wk 5days. They didn't mention full bladder but I went with one. They started out with "regular" ultrasound and then did transvaginal. Just had another ultrasound at 8wks 5days (high risk twin) also was not told but went with full bladder. Same thing. They did both. In my opinion they just assume you will come with full bladder! 

MonaLisaRalphio

It's pretty common for the first US to be transvaginal. An abdominal US may not pick up much this early. 

Also, it's very common not to meet with your doctor until the 12 week appointment. I'm meeting with a nurse at my 8 week appointment. 

MissBlair226

Because baby is so small, they will always do a transvaginal ultrasound at your first appointment and we prefer you to have an empty bladder so that it doesn't obstruct anything your OB is trying to see. 

pammi2003

I had my first appointment 2 weeks ago, at 8 weeks, and they did a transvaginal ultrasound.  Heartbeat was nice and strong.

megstervt

They've always asked me to empty my bladder for ultrasounds (transvaginal and regular).  I had heard about needing to have a full bladder so was surprised to first time the nurse told me to go ahead and use the bathroom before the doctor came in.  i never questioned it as I was so much more comfortable and could focus on the screen rather than holding in my urine!


ETA: my ultrasounds were transvaginal at 7 and 9 weeks.  Had urgent ones at 17, 30, and 35.  Plus the anatomy scan at 20.  Those last 4 were all regular.

emilyalso

The first thing they asked me to do at EVERY appointment was to provide a urine sample, so it wouldn't have mattered if I tried to have a full bladder. My 8 wk ultrasound was transvaginal - they made it seem like that was pretty standard. 

Congratulations! 

Alygohome

My 7 week u/s was not transvaginal and I had to have a full bladder. I only had one trans u/s in all my pregnancies and it was for a loss.

ladylolly89

My first was at 9 weeks and it was transvaginal. No full bladder required (I think they actually had me pee first!). They should tell you if you have to have a full bladder. 

SSCmomma

That what I thought.  My last pregnancy I had a midwife who sent you to a separate location for US so I don't know what.to expect

hey&june

I've never been asked to have a full bladder at an ultrasound, and this is my third pregnancy. My OB does a routine urine test at the beginning of each appointment, which means none of their patients have a full bladder for ultrasounds. 

With this pregnancy, they had me come in at almost 7 wks for my first ultrasound and we saw the baby and its heartbeat right away (internal ultrasound). For previous pregnancies, I've gone in around 8 1/2 weeks for the first ultrasound and they've done an external ultrasound at that point.

karabearrr

I had transvaginal US during my 8 week and 12 week appointment. We will see what my 15 week appointment holds.

I was only asked to come in with a full bladder when they wanted to do a 3D ultrasound at my 11wk appointment. I am also plus size.

Lecool

I also had a transvaginal u/s at 8 weeks, did not have to have a full bladder, and I am not plus size. I was told that this was very normal since the baby is still so small at that point that it can be hard to pic up with an external u/s.

NordyMN89

Aren't you the one who wanted a special board for STMs because you "don't want to deal with newbie stuff?" Yet, here you are asking a very typical "newbie" question. Every doctors office is different. I suggest you call yours to find out if you need a full bladder or not.

SSCmomma

NordyMN89 said:

Aren't you the one who wanted a special board for STMs because you "don't want to deal with newbie stuff?" Yet, here you are asking a very typical "newbie" question. Every doctors office is different. I suggest you call yours to find out if you need a full bladder or not.

I asked a question that would best be answered by 2nd time moms and specified that it was because I changed practices from one pregnancy to the next.  I don't follow the 1st tri boards as much because the questions get redundant.  "Are cramps normal?", "What gender is my baby based on this blurry US?" etc etc.

mrszoess

how is it best answered by stm? everyone has ultrasounds 

SSCmomma

Not typically at 8 weeks.  Understand I'm not knocking ftms.  They are understandably nervous and full of questions.  Its just that if people actually searched the boards as they're supposed to there would be far fewer of the same questions over and over and over.  A separate group for STM moms would be nice to have a place to communicate without having to filter through all the repetitive posts.

mrszoess

actually I'm a ftm who suffered two early losses so i do believe I'm pretty well versed in ultrasounds but thanks for the assumptions 

also many people use RE doctors and get even earlier ultrasounds than 8weeks. it seems you just like to stir the pot

joyful08

Also... How will FTMs ever gain the knowledge that a STM has if you want to exclude all the FTMs? It feels like you think STM+ are superior and shouldn't a have to answer "petty redundant questions". 

joyful08

SSCmomma

Edited for TOU violation

mrszoess

this board is about first trimester, which I have experienced more than once. so please, hop off.