@m6agua maybe ask your OB if there are any other scheduled ultrasounds - I just found out at my 16w appointment that my OB does a standard 32 week ultrasound (which for sure wasn't standard at my previous OB). But there might be another chance - and the anatomy scan is so long I don't think my 4 year old can sit for an hour even for something he's enjoying! Or there's also the option to go to one of those elective ultrasound places that do the crazy 4D images/videos if you really want your DD to experience it - we are thinking about doing this because my son really wants to see the baby wiggling around - but I don't want to do it until after the anatomy scan just to make sure all is good.
@chewie5990 My office does no other ultrasounds. 20 week is the only one standard, unless there are reasons for another. My only other thought is that my daughter was breech until about 32/33 weeks, so maybe I can get one to see if baby is breech. Although with DD they just used the bedside ultrasound. I'm thinking maybe if I ask for one so DD can come they may be able to schedule me for one anyway.
I just wanna thank everyone who weighed in. I'm feeling much better emotionally now just having gotten some of that out of my system and having gotten feedback from various people. I called my sister and sobbed on the phone to her once too. I think my freak out is behind me (for now) and behind my husband and we are both doing much better emotionally.
I just had an appointment. Standard stuff, just the doppler. HR was 152. I finally got myself to the pharmacy to get baby aspirin (FYI, it's not actually called that in the pharmacy. If your doctor tells you to take it, they mean low dose aspirin...) Scheduled my U/S for January 2. My doctor was insistent I not do it before 20 weeks, which is interesting. Well, not really insistent, but she only said 20 weeks, not 18-20 like I thought was standard. I wanted to push it to 2020 anyway so it's fine. Next appointment is January 7.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
@catem07 my OB was also very strict about the 20 week mark. I was hoping to try and get the anatomy scan scheduled right before Christmas as I'd be within the 18-20 range, but OB said absolutely not. Mine is scheduled for Jan 3 which is a little past 20w
super interesting about everyone's strict 20w anatomy scans. I'm having mine in the 18th week which I thought was on the early side, but I'm happy to do it then because I hit my deductible for the year and I have to start over in 2020.
@pirateduck I'm glad things are better with you and YH. MH and I got into a multi week long fight after I found out I was pregnant over something incredibly dumb (house paint color, seriously) and it took multiple counseling sessions to get through it. We're fine now! (I think). Just saying it's not just you.
Definitely interesting about the exact 20 week rule. I just had my 16w and scheduled my AS and the NP was like yea a little before or after is fine, whatever's available. Mine is also for January 2nd. Gonna have lots of pictures and updates in the new year from everybody!
Today I just did doppler - found the heartbeat right away but she didn't bother figuring out the HR. Nice to know things are still good in there! Also did the glucose challenge, which wasn't that bad. Hopefully I passed!
I third the opinion about the strict 20 week rule for AS being strange. I got mine at 16+3. My previous two pregnancies were done at 18-19 weeks. Maybe it has to do with your office’s equipment or sonographer? This time mine was at MFM and they saw everything they needed at 16+3.
@ieles2531 Mine gets done at the hospital in radiology, so it’s not an equipment issue. Maybe they had a lot of people have to go back because of not seeing things so they just go with 20.
*TW talk of termination*
I live in a state where you can terminate up to viability so I’m not concerned, but if I lived in a 20 week state I would inquire more about the why for 20 weeks.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
I hit 20 weeks exactly on Christmas Day. The office seemed pretty flexible that I could schedule at the end of the week before or wait until the next week if I wanted.
I had my 16 week appointment this morning. Totally boring, which is good! The babies are both lying transverse right now with their heads both on my left side kind of looking at each other, which was cool to see on the u/s. Blood pressure is still good. They did the quad screen which I know is less accurate for twins. It's starting to feel more exciting and less like I'm waiting for something to go horribly wrong if that makes sense.
Re the 20 week thing, I work in the radiology department for a hospital and per our lead radiologist, they're asking people to be closer to the 20 week mark because of some specific heart images they're supposed to be getting that aren't easily seen until that time. Our techs are going through the training right now for it so soon (at our hospital at least) it will be the new standard of care.
Hi Everyone! I did an intro post but I’m not sure whether people check it for late arrivals. So briefly-I’m having spontaneous mono-tri (one placenta three sacs) triplets. I was in shock for about a month but have started processing it. It was hard, because everyone’s reaction is three babies you are so lucky! But while we’re happy for a big family, I’d take a low risk singleton pregnancy over a stressful high risk pregnancy any day. I go to an MFM every two weeks for monitoring because one placenta for three babies = very high risk. But so far so good! We will go in for two appts this month, 16 weeks and 18 weeks (this week and the week of Christmas). I’ll feel much more secure when we get past 20 weeks because developing complications before that point indicates worst outcomes.
I will be thinking about @pirateduck and everyone else who has difficult appts to get through this month. This may or may not help you, but Our doctor presents odds to us in reverse format which has been helpful to me in reducing anxiety. So for example they told us we have a 70 percent chance of experiencing no placental issues. That sounds so much more optimistic than 30 percent odds of twin twin transfusion! So until you hear back, maybe internally reframe for yourself that there is a 75 percent chance that everything will be ok. And when that fails I zone out in front of happy tv like Gilmore girls so I just don’t have to think
@jkr2019 Looking forward to following your journey! There are a lot of good triplet mama IG accounts if you’re interested in following others’ experiences. Thinking of your upcoming appointments.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Interestingly the tech wanted to see me around 18 weeks (I think she just likes doing AS with DS she kept saying “oh let me get you a better picture”) but we scheduled it for 20+1 because it’s my birthday and I was going to take the whole day off anyways. I have an appointment on 12/19 with my OB first time I’ll be seeing him since the IUD stuff. I think I am going to ask him if I can see him and the NP only because of how late the midwife always runs.
I have my anatomy scan this Thursday. Not sure what to expect since it isn’t at my OB’s office it’s at the hospital. How is it different from my usual ultrasound? Will it be both internal and external ultrasounds? Just trying to mentally prepare myself.
@babyfoxden10 I had mine this past Thursday. It was all external. The tech took a bunch of measurements of bones and pictures of organs etc. They say it takes an hour but depending on baby’s movement and the tech’s skill, it can take less. I think we were in there less than 45 minutes because baby was very active and she got all the stuff she needed easily. Make sure you tell them right away if you are Team Green!! Ours was good and asked at the beginning and before announcing, but some ladies have said their techs blurted it out without asking.
@jkr2019 Welcome! That does sound like a pretty stressful pregnancy. I'm glad they seem to be doing appropriate monitoring. We have several multiples this month, I think you are the only triplet one though.
@jkr2019 Welcome! I think we may be five-ish twin pregnancies? You're welcome to join us on the Moms of Multiples board. It's kind of slow, but hopefully will pick up as our pregnancies progress. Congrats on your triplets!
Thanks everyone! I was excited to see the moms of multiples post for sure. My check up today went well! All three babies were wiggle monsters and totally the right size. I probably have placenta previa, which will have to be watched, but in the big scheme of problems they could find that is not such a big deal since I’m already delivering early and having a c-section.
@babyfoxden10 my anatomy scan with my singleton pregnancy was external and also around forty five minutes. They gave us a dvd of the video which is a fun keepsake. I’ve had 2-3 friends who had to come back a few weeks later and do it again due to concerns about the heart, but it ended up fine for all of them. I think sometimes the baby just needs more time to grow for them to see it all clearly, especially if you schedule it early.
Serious question regarding the anatomy scan, how do you drink enough water and prevent yourself from peeing your pants?
I have mine next Tuesday at 10am. They require that I drink 32oz of water beforehand without emptying my bladder. I’ve had about 30 ounces all day and I’m making hourly bathroom runs. I was almost planning on emptying my bladder then just chugging all the water right before I go in (as best as I can). Probably not the best strategy so I’m open to suggestions.
Honestly that's what I'd do, chug before hand. FWIW, my office doesn't require you to have a full bladder because by then they should be able to see enough without it...
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
32 ounces is more than needed to fill your bladder if you are well hydrated to begin with. I generally pee 1-2 hours before the appointment and then drink water until they call me in. You can ask the tech to look at what they need to with the full bladder first and ask the tech to let you know when it’s ok to empty your bladder. I’ve been allowed to empty it mid US before. I think part of it depends the position of the baby and your placenta how easy things are to see.
Strange, I don’t remember having to drink water for an anatomy scan.
Anyway, 32oz sounds absurd. I’ve had more than my fair share of ultrasounds because of fertility treatments and I always drink an18oz glass 1 hour before my appointment and it’s always been plenty. They’re able to get what they need and I’m ready to pee but not ridiculously uncomfortable.
I had to drink 32oz for my 6 week scan, they said it had to be exactly one hour before the appointment. By the time they called me in I had to go soooo bad. She let me empty my bladder halfway through, thank goodness. Really hoping I don't have to do that again for the anatomy scan.
32oz seems like a lot. My office has you drink 24oz. At my 9-week scan I got to empty it immediately because the tech decided to do the transvaginal instead.
Had a regular check up today. Met a new midwife to the practice. Just like last time they found the HB as soon as the doppler hit skin (that never happened with DD). It was 155 and sounded beautiful. I'm starting to be more confident that the flutters are not just gas.
And also I wasn’t told to drink water beforehand, but I never pee before an appointment anyway otherwise I won’t have to pee at all in the cup at each appointment lol
@drkoyya I agree with everyone else that 32oz for an anatomy scan is a bit much. My office has different guidelines based on how many weeks you are. I only had to have 16-20 ounces before my AS (at 16 weeks). For my 12 week I had to chug 32 oz in 30 minutes (got incorrect instructions, don’t do 32oz in 30mins!) and it went straight to the bladder. I think we all vote you drink 20oz and they probably won’t even know the difference.
I had to have a full bladder before my 12w sca , and she actually had to have me partially empty it because it was too full. Not sure which is worse: an ultrasound on an uncomfortably full bladder, or having to try and partially empty a very full bladder. But for my AS I'm far enough along that they don't want or need the full bladder.
**TW**
Me: 35 | H: 40 Married Sept. 2013 DS1: Nov 11, 2016 MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d) CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d) BFP! 8/24/19 DS2: May 10, 2020
Had another check-in with the OB this morning. I like her so much and if we still end up moving states before we have the baby I'll be so sad to leave her. Listened to baby's heartbeat and scheduled anatomy scan for 12/27 - they told me to arrive with a full bladder but didn't say I had to drink a specific amount, thank goodness.
@heyybritt we are also likely going to move to a different state before I give birth and I'm not looking forward to leaving my practice either . Here's hoping we find just as good ones near our new homes!
It's also such an annoying time to be moving because I don't feel like I can get settled with any expecting mom groups or classes yet.
I had my early glucose challenge and spina bifida screen Thursday. Finally got the results back today and all is good! Yay!
@lisush yes exactly! Not to mention I can't start researching daycare and I know I'm going to have to look into that and get on a list. Hopefully we are both able to quickly find a good fit once the moves happen. Yay for good results on both of your tests!!
Had my 16w appt yesterday. I lost 3lbs, so that was nice Had the quad screen done. I ate breakfast, though, so we couldn't do GD test. I back now, waiting out my hour. I've been having low blood sugar issues, but not high blood sugar, so doing an early test is a good thing, despite my hissy fit after my last appt. HB was nice and strong on the doppler yesterday, and the little flutters of the last week turned into 3 actual kicks last night in bed
Re: December Appointments
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
@pirateduck I'm glad things are better with you and YH. MH and I got into a multi week long fight after I found out I was pregnant over something incredibly dumb (house paint color, seriously) and it took multiple counseling sessions to get through it. We're fine now! (I think). Just saying it's not just you.
Today I just did doppler - found the heartbeat right away but she didn't bother figuring out the HR. Nice to know things are still good in there! Also did the glucose challenge, which wasn't that bad. Hopefully I passed!
I live in a state where you can terminate up to viability so I’m not concerned, but if I lived in a 20 week state I would inquire more about the why for 20 weeks.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019FTM
BFP 08/25/19, EDD 05/04/20
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Anyway, 32oz sounds absurd. I’ve had more than my fair share of ultrasounds because of fertility treatments and I always drink an18oz glass 1 hour before my appointment and it’s always been plenty. They’re able to get what they need and I’m ready to pee but not ridiculously uncomfortable.
FTM
BFP: 9/5/19 ~ EDD 5/15/20
Had a regular check up today. Met a new midwife to the practice. Just like last time they found the HB as soon as the doppler hit skin (that never happened with DD). It was 155 and sounded beautiful. I'm starting to be more confident that the flutters are not just gas.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
FTM
BFP: 9/5/19 ~ EDD 5/15/20
It's also such an annoying time to be moving because I don't feel like I can get settled with any expecting mom groups or classes yet.
I had my early glucose challenge and spina bifida screen Thursday. Finally got the results back today and all is good! Yay!
FTM
BFP: 9/5/19 ~ EDD 5/15/20