Question about so Many Ultrasounds

robynjdm

Hi all!  This is my first post in this section.  I just turned 35 and I am 15 weeks pregnant with baby #2.  So... all the women in my family seem to have babies betw. 35-40 including my grandmother and mother.  All healthy, no problems there.  

So my OB told me I was still considered low risk, but then today, a different OB in the practice told me that I'd be receiving extra U/S's due to my age.  I have to have my regular anatomy U/S at 20 weeks, then I will get another at 28 wks, another at 32, and then weekly till 40.  Is this standard? 

And I apologize in advance because I bet this has been asked before.

iamgrace

It might just be standard for that practice.  I am 35 and I am just having the 2 u/s so far.  NT scan and anatomy scan at 19ish weeks.

robynjdm

Hmmm.  Ok thanks.

Monkey2007

I have been to a few practices and that doesn't seem standard, but there is no harm in extra ultrasounds and it sounds like your doctor is being very observant with you.  I had a few extra ultrasounds due to other complications, but the only extra age related ultrasound was the NT Scan at 13 weeks.

pa_kris

I was 35 when I had my first and only had a dating US at 6wks, an US for the NT scan at 12 wks, anatomy US at 20 wks.  Since I went past my due date, they did to US every wk starting at 40 wks. 

I think it will be the same this time around... 8wks, 12wk NT scan, and 20 wk anatomy.

As pp said, I don't think the extra US's will hurt - just more chances to see your LO.

robynjdm

pa_kris:

I was 35 when I had my first and only had a dating US at 6wks, an US for the NT scan at 12 wks, anatomy US at 20 wks.  Since I went past my due date, they did to US every wk starting at 40 wks. 

I think it will be the same this time around... 8wks, 12wk NT scan, and 20 wk anatomy.

As pp said, I don't think the extra US's will hurt - just more chances to see your LO.

 

I agree with you, and I have no problems getting all the xtra pics of the baby, but from a totally nonpregnancy standpoint, it concerns me that Dr.'s practices may be doing this to over charge the insurance companies, because THEY CAN... and then eventually the ins. co. will pass it along to the rest of us.  I could just be being cynical though. 

funkymama

I hear what you're saying from a non-PG standpoint.  They're probably not cheating the system, but I guess there is no way you can really know, especially if there is a discrepancy between what your dr and the other dr have each said. However, as the patient, you do have every right to decide which procedures you wish to have done, even extra US if you feel there are too many.  You own this pregnancy!

ateytelb

I am 40 and I had an u/s at 7 weeks, CVS test at 11 weeks, and anatomy u/s at 18 weeks. They told me I don't need any more u/s's.

mwd

I had DS#1 at 39, and had growth ultrasounds at 20wks, 28, 32, 36, then at 40 weeks.  Doc explained this was due to check placenta and that baby was still growing nicely.  This pregnancy, I had those ultrasounds, plus a Biophysical profile every week.  I am doing this instead of having NST 2 a week due to time constraints at my job.  Doc explained that after 40, the placenta can break down very quickly after 32 weeks, and they wanted to observe it.  As you can tell, my doc is conservative.

Good luck, and enjoy all the extra views of your baby!    

pa_kris

robynjdm:

I agree with you, and I have no problems getting all the xtra pics of the baby, but from a totally nonpregnancy standpoint, it concerns me that Dr.'s practices may be doing this to over charge the insurance companies, because THEY CAN... and then eventually the ins. co. will pass it along to the rest of us.  I could just be being cynical though. 

Ugh!  I hear you.  I get SO frustrated with Dr's offices billing insurance companies astronomical amounts just b/c the system allows them to do this.

spursgirl10

I am 36 and I have had 6 or 7 ultrasounds....I have the first one, then the NT scan then a level 2 ultrasound then I get one at every check up....

robynjdm

Thank you all for your responses.  What I am hearing is that some practices do this and some don't.  It just came as a bit of a surprise to me, but not a bad one.

swrlygrl

it must be your place, I am 37 and I am only getting the 2 standard ones

LWD1014

Hi! I'm 42 and have had 4 ultrasounds during this pregnancy. First at 8 weeks, NT Scan at 12 weeks and anatomy scan at 18 weeks. The forth was age related at 36 weeks to check the placenta and LO's growth. My doctor explained that after age 40, the placenta can become less efficient during late pregnancy.  I also began having weekly NST at 36 weeks to monitor the little guy.   

triki2u

I am 38, low risk and still have a short U/S every month since I was 12 weeks.  It is nice to get to see inside so often, but expensive;-) I am considered very low risk considering my age and had every test under the sun and all come back normal.  

I don't mind having them so often as it is fun to see her in there.  

bootsie08

I was 37 when I had DD.  I can't even remember the number of ultrasounds I had there were so many, but they were all medically necessary.  I had quite a few biophysical profiles as well.  I was very surprised when I received a letter from my insurance yesterday stating that they have pre-approved me for 12 ultrasounds this pregnancy.  I have Tricare (military) insurance and they almost never pre-approve U/S's other than the anatomy scan, so I'm assuming it's based on age. 

robynjdm

This is all very interesting!  I don't feel it's so odd now.  Thanks so much for your responses.  Well so far I've only had the one dating U/S back at 8+5.  Looking forward to the 20 week anatomy U/S and all the rest. 

 

 

Strunella

I've had a few ultrasounds already, some precautionary and some standard.  I had one at 5 and 6 weeks due to cramping & spotting, 11 weeks for the CVS, 20 weeks for anatomy scan and will be having one at 29 weeks.  It's  always fun to see the little one though!

estellababy

I am 37 and pregnant with my first.  i am 28 weeks and have had 6 sonos done.  The last one was like 20 minutes long!  I am high risk due to diabetes, so I get to US every time I see the peri. 

mamaweebie

It depends on the doctor, I think.  I saw a perinatologist for my NT and alpha-fetal protein tests, and he said that the actual cutoff for 'advanced maternal age' is 37.  But, many doctors will 'recommend' that you do additional testing or ultrasounds to cover their own butts.

My OB has an ultrasound machine in his office, so it's not uncommon for me to get a quick little ultrasound at every visit, just to check in.  With my first son, I had the 20 week, then a 28 week, at which time they informed me that my placenta was still low-lying, so then I was scheduled for ultrasounds every 2 weeks to monitor the position (I wasn't cleared for a natural birth until the 36 week scan, when the placenta had finally moved enough).  So, the schedule your OB office gave you could just be standard for that practice.

Lori

Wife to Morgan, Mom to Sebastian (almost 4)

Little BOY #2 on the way!  Due 11.02.2010

 

nitagarner

hmmm. 35 isn't that old. i didn't have any extra u/s when i was 35 and pregnant.

you don't have to if you don't want to. i haven't seen any negatives from having an ultrasound but i will add that some mom's totally avoid them to be on the safe side. there isn't really research to support either way, from what i can tell.

you have to research and decide what you feel comfortable with. even my last pregnancy i only had 2.. well, i had 3. i did the viability u/s, the regular 20 week one to check on things and i did the 3D one for fun since they didn't have that with the baby before and it was really cool and we thought we were done.  my question is will insurance pay for it?! for me, that would be big. I don't have a lot of out of pocket b/c some doctor is a little paranoid and trying to order excessive tests that may not be covered.