South Jersey Babies
annoyed
im 34 and i have been going to my ob-gyn for 11 years now. im about to be 8 weeks pregnant and she refuses to do an ultrasound until im 18 weeks. im sorry but im a nervous wreck because i want a pic or just to hear the heartbeat. She tries to tell me that most insurance co's won't pay until 18 weeks if there are no medical concerns. Ok yes im healthy and have no issues but how can she make me wait on my first pregnancy when many of my co-workers especially one that is due 10 days before me with no medical concerns has had ultrasounds at this time? Im getting quite annoyed with her. My co-workers can't believe that i have not had an ultrasound yet and we all have the same insurance. Can someone please tell me what to do.?
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Re: annoyed
It's pretty routine to only have one ultrasound around 18-20 weeks. Usually you only have extra ultrasounds if you are high risk or the baby is at risk for something. Most insurance companies will not pay for elective ultrasounds.
Around your 12 week appointment your doctor will use a doppler to hear the heartbeat. As long as you have no issues there really isn't a need for an ultrasound.
I insisted on having the Quad screen @ 12 weeks (tests for NT defects like Spinabifida and some of the trisomy disorders) with all 3 of my girls. If she doesn't "offer" it to you, you can still ask to have it done and she can't refuse, but you should make sure your insurance covers it. Mine did.
I know it's hard to wait, but usually people who have early u/s only have them because something could be wrong (cramping, spotting, etc.) or because they are unsure when they conceived, but since you know your due date that doesn't seem to be an issue.
I do NOT condone or endorse it, but I have heard of a few women during my years on the Bump Trimester boards that have faked having cramping and spotting just so their Drs would have a medical reason to do an u/s.
Good luck!
Please don't do this! You'll be taking an emergency appointment away from a woman who may actually need it.
I've had a m/c so I know the stress you feel when you don't have 100% proof positive that things are going well. I hate to sounds like a jerk but even if you do get an ultrasound this early there is nothing you can do to prevent something from going wrong, even if it is detected early.
I know it is frustrating, and annoying, but be happy that you are healthy and don't need to be monitored extra. A lot of times, it is the practice that wont do the u/s's. What practice/doctor do you see?
I was kinda in the same situation when I had my son. My close friend/co worker was due 3 months after me, and I was SHOCKED that she was only getting an anatomy scan at 20 weeks. She goes to a small practice that does not have the equipment handy. I was a high risk pregnancy, and had u/s at 7w, 8w, 9w, 11w, 12w (nt scan), 14w, 18w (anatomy scan), 22w, 26w, 32w, 34w, and 36w with my son. I literally have a whole album of ultrasound pics. My 2nd pregnancy was worse! from week 32 on, I had weekly BPP's (bio physical profiles), NST's (non stress tests) and then from weeks 35-39, it was bi-weekly!
relish in the fact that you are not high risk, that you don't have complications and that you have a baby growing! Call and ask if you can come in for a doppler check.. most practices will do that.
I third GS OB/Gyn. They also used the portable u/s on me until I was 16 weeks along. They used it at my first appointment and I was so early along that there wasn't even a h/b yet.
They were fantastic throughout my pregnancy. They didn't push me into an induction (although I did end up needing one). I never felt rushed and every question I had they could answer.