Anatomy Scans

sarah0985

Any questions, concerns, advice, discussions? Put 'em here!

sarah0985

As far as I know I'm the first so far that I've seen. I've got mine on Monday. My doctor wanted it a little early because I also need my cervix checked from a previous leep procedure/surgery. 
I don't have any particular questions but I'm sure some do. 
ETA. I'll be 19+2 on the day of my scan. 

WombThereItIs

To preempt the most common FTM question: yes they will tell you to drink an indecent amount of water before. Don't stress. Drink some while you're on the way and in the waiting room but don't worry about getting to the point of bursting if the suggested amount feels like too much. Better to have a too full bladder than too empty though. The tech can always go ask you to pee a little if they need you too. 

sarah0985

Thanks for the advice. I wasn't told either way and never thought to ask. @WombThereItIs

pshaortao

I just got mine scheduled for Dec 22. I specifically requested that I have it before Christmas ha. I'll be 19 weeks on the day of. I know I'll be a big ball of nerves on the day of. I was that way with DDs anatomy scan to the point that I was unsteady and kept tripping up the stairs. But everything checked out okay. 

As for drinking water beforehand, I wasn't told to do this at my last one or upcoming one. I had debated on some OK but learned that its better not to get baby too wiggly so the technician can get better shots.

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

I get mine just after 20 weeks and a few days after Xmas. They wouldn't do it any earlier because they said that it's sometimes harder to see some things any earlier and insurance wouldn't cover if I needed to go back for a second. I'm a little annoyed by it because if they found something that would indicate this baby isn't compatible with life, I'm not sure there would be anything I could do about it after 20 wks in AZ if I needed to make a tough decision (although I'd need to double check the current law). Anyway, they specifically told me I didn't need to drink all the water this time because the kid is big enough to see everything without a full bladder at 20 weeks. 

MrsFox2008

I have my anatomy scan Wed the 7th. I'll 19 weeks 1day.  I wasn't told I needed to do anything before the scan. Same with my pregnancy with DD. 

megchelle

This is my third baby but the first one I don't want to know the sex. I'm afraid I will accidentally see something or the tech will accidentally say he or she. I'm assuming if you tell them beforehand you don't want to know they are good at not ruining the surprise but just a thought I'm having! Anyone have experience with this? 
Also, my advice is to enjoy it as much as possible because as I recall it's the longest US you'll have to get a peek at your baby. 

Jens_Hoes

I'll be 20 weeks January 6th, I'd LOVE to have it done before Christmas on the 23rd. Does anyone have any experience with doing it around 18 weeks, or is that just too early?

onebadmotha

@megchelle - I was Team Green last pregnancy, and we told the tech at the beginning. She never told us to look away, and neither DH nor myself could tell what we were looking at! When she was looking between the legs, I could've sworn it was a girl. We now have a healthy baby boy If you're worried about knowing by seeing, you can just ask that they warn you ahead of time when they're in that area. I'm sure it's not uncommon. 

KMD1106

megchelle, we were team green with DD and the techs were always good about it. If they ever slipped, they said the other gender later. I think they said she with my daughter a couple times, but then said he later, so I honestly had no idea until she was born. I actually thought she was a boy. 

KMD1106

Jen_Shoes, no experience, but I'm wondering the same thing. I have mine schedule for the 27th, but I wish I could do it before Christmas. I think it would be fun to do something with announcing it at Christmas. I might ask at my appointment on Monday if it can be switched. 

megchelle

Jen_Shoes said:

I'll be 20 weeks January 6th, I'd LOVE to have it done before Christmas on the 23rd. Does anyone have any experience with doing it around 18 weeks, or is that just too early?

With my daughter mine was at 17 weeks for whatever reason but I don't remember why. They were able to get all the measurements they needed!

nda_roxybabe

@megchelle I shared this in some other thread, but cant remember which. My dental hygenist was team green, but said when she had the anatomy scan the very first shot just happened to be between the legs and they could clearly tell he was a boy. For this reason, here's my plan: Remind the tech before they even get started. I'm not going to have either of us look until they have the screen in a good spot and then we will turn away when they do the gender tech. I also will remind my Dr. when she comes in the room. I know it's very likely I'd have no idea what I am looking at, but juuuust in case.

schnitz9

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot said:

I get mine just after 20 weeks and a few days after Xmas. They wouldn't do it any earlier because they said that it's sometimes harder to see some things any earlier and insurance wouldn't cover if I needed to go back for a second. I'm a little annoyed by it because if they found something that would indicate this baby isn't compatible with life, I'm not sure there would be anything I could do about it after 20 wks in AZ if I needed to make a tough decision (although I'd need to double check the current law). Anyway, they specifically told me I didn't need to drink all the water this time because the kid is big enough to see everything without a full bladder at 20 weeks. 

Same here.  In NC you are not allowed to do anything after 19wks 2 days.  I can schedule mine anywhere from 18-20 weeks. That will be well past holidays since I'm not due til 5/26. 

You don't technically have to drink anything before you go, they just won't ask for your normal urine sample. I did however drink OJ before I went since it make the little guy move around a bit better and they will want the baby to move so they can see everything.

mamatowildones

Never told to drink water with my boys and also for this one. I go on the 12th. Can't wait!

newmamaro

@Jen_Shoes, I have my anatomy scan Tuesday 12/6. I will be 18w4d. When I asked my doctor prior to scheduling it she said 18w was fine, that they can generally see what they need. I think I was 20w with DS due to scheduling. I think with DS I was told to have a bladder, but nobody mentioned anything this time. My last ultrasound this time was at 14w5d and I forgot and peed right before. The tech was able to see the baby and get all her measurements then, but that is probably a case by case scenario.

chickyclg

Jen_Shoes said:

I'll be 20 weeks January 6th, I'd LOVE to have it done before Christmas on the 23rd. Does anyone have any experience with doing it around 18 weeks, or is that just too early?

@Jen_Shoes Mine is scheduled at 18+2 this time, I also had it during the 18th week for my twins.  

sarah0985

@jen_shoes mine was originally supposed to be 18 weeks but they were already booked. So I'd imagine 18 weeks is okay. 

mcvgal

I have never been told to have a full bladder before. I also think I have lucked out before because the technician have asked if we were finding out the sex. Once we said no, both times they had us look away when they get the shots needed. And they verified that the sex was never written on our file so no nurse/doctor could accidently slip up and tell us. I go in on 12/13 and will be 2 days shy of 20 weeks then.

Jens_Hoes

Thank you everyone! I'm going to cross my fingers that they're open on the 23rd and that they have slots for me to come in! 
My sister and her husband will be here from LA, and my immediate family and DH family will all eat dinner together on Christmas, and I'd love for my mother and his mother to open a gendered gift to announce to everyone what we're having! 

IvyMagic828

It would be great to know before Christmas but my due date isn't until May 24th, and my office will not schedule anatomy scans prior to 20 weeks.  So, mine is set for Jan 4th. I guess it depends on your practice and how busy they are as to whether you can schedule earlier or not.

The first time we weren't going to find out the sex but the technician never told us to look away.  I guess she just didn't focus much on that area.  However my H thought he saw something.. and afterwards he had second thoughts about not knowing.  He asked the tech if she knew when we saw her in the hall and she said she thought so but would have to double check.  Brought us back in and confirmed it was a boy.  

hp_momma

I had DD1s scan right at 20 weeks and DD2s at 18 weeks. This one is scheduled for January 10th, and I will be 21 weeks! It seems like forever away and makes me nervous but our clinic wants them done between 19-22 weeks and because of the holidays 21 weeks was the first available. 
I do have a sneak peak ultrasound (we're paying for it) scheduled at 17 weeks so we can go home to visit families for Christmas and hopefully know the sex. 

Also, double check if your allowed to bring other children in with you, we are specifically NOT allowed to bring them in. 

I wasn't told to drink any more water than normal. And I know some will read about drinking something sugary before so baby is active, but don't go overboard because baby can be TOO active for the measurements they need! 

ShadeofGreen816

@jen_shoes I'm hoping for the same! I won't even be 18 weeks so I'm not holding my breath. At my 12 week appt, my doc said "I could probably be talked into it" but I'm seeing a different doc next week for my 16 week appt. I'm nervous they'll say no. Obviously making sure baby is ok is priority so if that isn't possible this early, then I'll deal. But we will be seeing family we only see once or twice a year and it would be really fun to announce at Christmas!

RainyDays86

@ShadeofGreen816 having an end of the month due date is so hard!  My EDD was 12/1 last time and it was fun being one of the first in the group to get to do different things.  My 16 week appointment is 12/16 so I imagine we won't have our AS until 1/16 or around there when I'll be almost 21 weeks.  Even though we're not finding out the sex, the wait is brutal.

Jens_Hoes

@ShadeofGreen816 I'm feeling the exact same.  If their policy is no because they want to get the correct measurements, my priority is obviously the baby.  But it would be nice.  My EDD is 5/27 

Jkp7749

I had mine this past Wednesday. I was 16+2 and know that was early but that is when my OB wanted it, i assume because she hadn't done an u/s at her office since my 9 week appointment and with it being twins it was time for another, so she probably just killed two birds with one stone. Anyway, they easily saw all they needed to see and I was not told to drink anything and also had to give a pee sample before so I don't think you need to worry about filling your bladder. 

achays11

My EDD is 5/24 and we haven't even discussed when to schedule the AS yet. My doctor does an US at every appointment though. 

MamaMiller

EDD is 5/26 so my AS is not until January 3. It sucks not knowing the gender at Christmas because I think that would be the cutest gender reveal for our families. Ba-humbug! 

psherman42wwsa

I'll be having mine when I am a little over 18 weeks. This time mine is being done by genetics and they were pretty stern about having it done that week so it must not be too early. Last time around I think I was 19 or 20 weeks...

LeilaD123

Mine is on the 14th at exactly 19 weeks. This time and last time I was told to have a full bladder.

Jellybeanqueen13

I'll be 17w 2d at my twin's anatomy scan on 12/12. I'm nervous about how long the scan will take. My doctor said to expect it to take up to two hours. I'm beyond excited to find out if I am having boys or girls or one of each. 

nda_roxybabe

Anyone nervous about their scan? This is my first pregnancy and I've been so surprised by how worried I am about things going wrong. I am not a huge worrier and have no known reason to worry, so its just worried. There's just a small part of me that's afraid something wont be perfect at the scan. I'm sure it will be, but you know.

chickyclg

Jellybeanqueen13 said:

I'll be 17w 2d at my twin's anatomy scan on 12/12. I'm nervous about how long the scan will take. My doctor said to expect it to take up to two hours. I'm beyond excited to find out if I am having boys or girls or one of each. 

@Jellybeanqueen13 yes mine took about 2 hours with the twins.

RainyDays86

@nda_roxybabe mine isn't for a while, but yes, I am nervous too.

WombThereItIs

Anatomy scan FFC: I don't mind having some reassurance everything is ok but I don't look forward to ultrasounds. I don't get excited about seeing the baby like at all. It's never been my thing and taking time off from work drives me nuts. 

Im sort of dreading mine because it's going to blow up a whole day. 

Regatding gender: last time they made us sign something saying we didn't want to find out. I guess some hospitals have a problem with people lying or changing their minds or whatever and trying to get another scan. We didn't look any time after they initially placed the wand until we got an all clear and the tech always told us when to look away. I had maybe 4-6 ultrasounds and never had a problem accidentally finding out. 

Jkp7749

@nda_roxybabe I think that's normal! I was having a hard time even getting excited because I was so worried, but most likely everything will be fine! Have you had a NT scan? Hopefully if you did, that is even more proof that everything is okay. And with no other signs of things to be worried about, I'm sure it will be fine!!

@Jellybeanqueen13 I think mine only took an hour... they found everything they needed to so I wonder why it was so quick. The babies were in good positions for everything so maybe that sped it up.

chickyclg

@Jkp7749 that's awesome!! My baby B (DD) was a handful and kept moving a lot.  She kicked DS a bunch too and he would keep trying to move away from her.  It was fun to watch though.  Our place also does it in 2 portions, the tech takes a bunch of images then they have the SO come in along with the radiologist and do an additional scan and explain things.

nda_roxybabe

@Jkp7749 Yes, I did do an NT screen and that came back perfect

JCWhitey

For those that are Team Green, just request at the start of the scan that the tech refer to the baby as "he" if they are going to use a gender term.  If they have a reference for that in the beginning they're pretty good about sticking to it.  Also at both my previous scan the sex organs aren't really checked if you don't want to find out, and they know when to have you look away for the brief time they are in sight.

For those who are Team Finding Out, this is usually done at the end of scan, not the beginning.  Be patient.  It's better to know that your baby has a healthy brain and heart than a penis or a vagina.  Some places differ, I'm sure, but this was my experience.

Most places have 3D capabilities these days, don't be alarmed.  It scared the crap out of me at my first scan because I had no wanring..  She didn't say she was doing it and suddenly my skeletal fetus magically transformed into... well... kind of a funny looking ckaymation.  It was awesome once I realized what I was seeing, but at first it was the weird distended belly that most 19/20 Weeker's have and I thought my baby didn't have a face. 

megchelle

Thanks everyone for the tips about being team green at the anatomy US!