2nd Trimester

Need to vent and clarification!

I called to confirm my doctor's appt for tomorrow and next month.  I told the receptionist that I would like to find out the gender at the next scheduled ultrasound.  So far I have had one transvaginal ultrasound at nine weeks.  She told me that they would not have another ultrasound, especially for the purpose of finding the baby's gender.  She said that insurance companies do not cover this.  At this point I am furious.  I didn't want a "surprise" baby.  I would like to know the gender.  So my question is...am I stupid.  I thought there was an ultrasound later in pregnancy so that we could find out the gender.  Please help!!! 

Re: Need to vent and clarification!

  • They typically ALWAYS do one at 20 weeks. Maybe she is meaning they just don't do them until then!?!?
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  • Not all insurance companies are the same..... you should call and ask what yours will provide. I thought most usually allowed 2 or 3, although a lot of girls I know are getting more than that. You can always go to one of those independent 3D places to get an ultrasound on your own. My sister had to go to one of those during later part of her pregnancy.
  • There is usually a standard one at 16-20 weeks for the purposes of taking measurements of the babies growth. That's the one where you might be able to find out the sex of the baby if he/she cooperates. They won't do one specifically to find out the sex.
  • Yes, they should do one at 20 weeks...not only to find out gender but to look at defects, etc.  Call your insurance, and call her back!

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  • Was your first appointment for a medical reason? My insurance only covers two ultrasounds, but the vaginal one was covered because it was needed to figure out my due date so I've had three total. And usually they do an ultrasound around 20 weeks to get measurements and such. I would talk to your insurance company.
  • No, all OBs should schedule an anatomy ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks.  It is the ideal time to find out the sex of the baby, but not the main purpose of the ultrasound.  If they're trying to tell you they won't give you an anatomy u/s, something is very wrong with that - it's the most important u/s of thepregnancy.  It checks to make sure all of your baby's organs have formed and are working properly, and that everything in general looks normal.
  • AS I understand it, women in the US usually get a u/s at about 20 weeks to check measurements, etc. This is when they usually tell them the sex.

    Where I live, people often find out at 14 weeks and ultrasounds aren't so scarce.

    I suspect that the reason they won't do it is that there are suspicions that u/s can harm the baby. Ever the skeptic, I think is has to do more with cost to the insurance companies.

  • There is one at 18-20 weeks.  Many offices schedule them out of their offices, so maybe they meant she meant you wouldn't be having another ultrasound at their office and didn't communicate very clearly?  Also she is a receptionist not the doctor.  I wouldn't get upset until you talk to your doctor.
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  • Most offices do them at 20 weeks, especially if there's just one. That said, call your insurance company and find out how many you're allowed. Mine gives up to three without needing preauthorization, but there are some that only give one.
  • Thank you for the information.  The pregnancy hormones almost released a beast over the phone to the receptionist.  I thought that it was a silly thing to say.  I knew I wasn't too crazy:)

     

    I appreciate the help.  I will let you know how tomorrow goes. 

     

  • It makes no sense to me that you would not have a 20 week u/s. That is VERY important to make sure everything is okay? I would call and speak to your doctor asap.
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  • This sounds like something you need to talk about with your doctor, not with the receptionist. And then if your doctor says the same thing you need to call your insurance. The receptionist is right that most insurance companies won't pay for an u/s with the sole purpose of determining the gender (this is not medically important) however you are also right that most women have a level 2 ultrasound at around 20 weeks to examine fetal development, vital organs, and check for defects. The receptionist is not really an expert in these things, don't take her word for it.
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