Dr doesn't do anatomy scan?

amb04006

I just talked to the receptionist at my doctor's office, and she said that he doesn't do an anatomy scan at all.  She said he does the u/s at the first visit, and that's it unless you want to pay $85 to find out the sex at 20-21 weeks.  What the heck?!  Has anyone else ever heard of this?  I'm trying to decide if the receptionist just doesn't know what she's talking about or if I should find a new doctor.

MommyLuvsMe1210

Your OB usually isn't the one doing the anatomy scan. They'll order it and an ultrasound tech will do one. Maybe that's what she meant?

Unknown

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[Deleted User]

I would talk to your doctor about some clarity on the issue.  The anatomy scan is for a complete scan of the anatomy, hence the name.  The check the heart, stomach, brain, kidneys, etc. to make sure things are forming properly.  Finding out the sex is merely a side benefit. 

If your doctor truly doesn't do them, or refer out for them, then you should find a new doctor.  

ashbee0223

That doesnt sound right at all!! I would call and talk to someone else and if they give you the same answer I would look into getting one done somewhere else or a new doctor..

drpayne

Bliss+Berry:

Hmmm.  I can say that my doctor doesn't technically do the A/S himself.  He sends his patients to a separate office for that.  Maybe that's what she was trying to say.  I can't imagine that any doctor wouldn't have you skip the most important U/S.  If that's the case though, I would get a new OB pronto.

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amb04006

MommyLuvsMe1210:

Your OB usually isn't the one doing the anatomy scan. They'll order it and an ultrasound tech will do one. Maybe that's what she meant?

 She sounded pretty sure of herself.  She said "The u/s at the first appt is the only u/s you get unless you do the elective gender determination at 20-21 weeks, in which case it will cost $85."  I specifically said, "He doesn't do an anatomy scan at all?"  And she said no.  I have an appt Friday, so I'll ask him/the nurse then, but I'm really stressing out about this.  Maybe she thought "anatomy scan" meant just finding out the sex?  Ugh, I really don't want to have to find a new doctor at this point!  Still holding out hope she just had no idea what she was talking about.

this decaf life

I'd ask them again about scheduling an a/s because they aren't just done to find out the sex, they're considered fairly important in determining the health of your child. Honestly, I would find a different OB if they refuse to do an anatomy scan and run it through to be covered fully by your health insurance.

ally2011

If the office really does not do them or order them, I would find a new doctor. The anatomy scan is incredibly important to check your baby and be able to prepare in the event that something is not going as it should.  I would seriously question an OB practice that did not do/order these as routine.

Good luck! 

mommajewels87

Definitely find out for sure at your next appt. That doesn't sound right at all. And in the slim chance he truely doesn't order an a/s, look into finding a different doctor. That u/s is pretty important for many different reasons regarding your babies health, and if he truely skimps out on that, I hate to imagine what else he skimps out on.

My midwife doesn't do ultrasounds herself. However, they have both a machine and an ultrasound tech in office... so I have my scheduled ultrasounds right there in the same office and in the event a last minute ultrasound is warranted at an appointment, again, the tech & machine are right there.

penguingrrl

I would definitely ask for clarification and if they really don't do an anatomy scan you need to find a new office. There are so many issues that can be detected through the a/s that can be resolved if you give birth in a hospital with the right resources (good NICU, specialized surgeons, etc) but could be fatal otherwise. There's no way I would trust a doctor or midwife who doesn't routinely do an a/s.

Laura458458@yahoo.com

My sister who is also pregnant told me this same thing, that her Dr. office only does an U/S at the first appointment and thats it. I told her that does not sound right, for all reasons mentioned above. She said she asked him at her last appointment again if she would be having an A/S scan and her Dr. told her he would find a reason to get her another U/S?

If it were me, I'd be finding a new doctor. Wouldn't they want to know as soon as possible of any possible complications?? Such as heart defects...etc? Sounds strange to me.

drewiekc

If your doctor truly does not routinely do them, I would switch offices.  Even if he would give you an "extra" one at your insistence, I would not be comfortable with the fact that he routinely skips over some very important diagnostic (and STANDARD) testing.

FutureMrsTowns

I live in california and the a/s is a part of the state's pre-screening program where they do one at 10-12 weeks and one at 18-22 weeks both looking for signs of things like down's and other birth defects. U/s are important for checking on baby, it doesn't sound right that a reputable OB would just not offer them at all, heck my insurance specifically states in it's coverages that a mid-pregnancy ultrasound is covered, and my doctor has done some sort of ultrasound just about every month just to check in on him.

kelly321

Bliss+Berry:

Hmmm.  I can say that my doctor doesn't technically do the A/S himself.  He sends his patients to a separate office for that.  Maybe that's what she was trying to say.  I can't imagine that any doctor wouldn't have you skip the most important U/S.  If that's the case though, I would get a new OB pronto.

This. I had to go to the university hospital. It's also possible they call it a second trimester screening (I've run into people who have never heard of an "anatomy scan").

cmed24

My doc did not do the anatomy scan at 20 weeks, we went to a radiology place and had an elective one done for $50.  My doc does the growth scan at 24 weeks, he said at that piont he will tell you the gender if you want to know.  We thought it was weird at first, but we had the other scan so we already knew what hte baby was when we had our 24 week scan last week. 

 

zonagirlie

Our OB referred us to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist to do the A/S and all our follow up scans.

a13049

It may be an insurance issue. A lot of insurance plans only cover one routine u/s. if they did an u/s for dating the a/s may not be covered. This is the case for my insurance, so our doctor just let's us know up front if we do one the other may not be covered, and recommends the a/s over the early dating u/s. but of course alot of moms opt to do both and pay for the second.I am considered high risk and my u/s are considered medically nessecary so I get one weekly through that loop hole. I would talk to your ob for clarification

pinottoparenthood

Although the anatomy scan is when most people find out the sex, that's not the purpose of the appointment. This is the appointment where they take lots of measurements, check out all your baby's organs and etc., and make sure everything is functioning okay. You have to have one. I know people who only had one ultrasound for the whole pregnancy, but it was the anatomy scan. I would inquire further for sure.

Kingston54

I definitely would find a new OB if it's true that the office doesn't do it at all.  They might have just meant not him but the sonographer as pp suggested.  The A/S can be very important!

Mother Meghan

I agree with the other responders, my doctor has another tech come to the office every Friday to the NT and anatomy scans and then we schedule regular appointments with the OB to discuss the results. I'm lucky and go to the same office to do everything, but I'm also not paying extra for these scans.

I agree that you should get some clarity and if they don't do the scan at all I would consider finding a new doctor. You still have time!