Doc won't do Beta...?

Balou127 · May 2010

hi ladies. so im just about 7 weeks and my doc wont do an ultrasound until my 12 week appt. on june 22nd. (it seems so far away, but i guess thats pretty standard). I stopped into the office thursday to see if there was any way i could get some betas set up just to ease my mind so i would know everything is progressing nicely. I was told flat out that the docs office will not write a script for a beta work up to be done unless there is something wrong or a problem. They said if i don't have any severe cramping or bleeding than im fine and shouldn't worry.

I read on here that alot of you get u/s's so much earlier than 12 weeks and are always talking about their beta numbers. is this usual protocol? or are every doctors different? Should i just try to wait it out until 12 weeks to make sure everythings ok? im trying not to be all panicking and paranoid but its so hard to not know whats going on in there lol

thanks ladies

mchupie · May 2010

It isn't standard to do betas. The majority of women that have them done (and the majority that have early ultrasounds) have had previous losses or were doing fertility treatments.

Your doc's refusal to do a beta and not getting an u/s until 12 weeks seems pretty standard to me.

tigerali · May 2010

Most docs don't see pg patients until 8-10 weeks and there really isn't any point in an u/s before around 10-12 weeks unless the patient is high risk or has a history of loss. Most women on here who have betas run have had a previous m/c or other medical issues that require them to be monitored more closely.

mommy411 · May 2010

Believe me sometimes it's better not to know early. When I was pregnant with DD she had a twin. We found out at 4.5 weeks there were 2. We lost DD's twin at 8 weeks...Sometimes I wish I didn't know...

Now we are in the same situation again. I never got AF after DD was born and I BF for 1 year. So when I ovulated we caught the first egg or 2! So now we are very worried about what the outcome is....Hopefully we get 2 in the end!

Balou127 · May 2010

ok thanks ladies. i just wanted to make sure it was the norm. this is my first so its all new to me.

thanks so much!!

Ceefome · May 2010

I had betas done because I spotted for a week. I would rather not have had them done.

If you need reassurance -- pee on a stick. It's a lot cheaper than unnecessary blood work.

hjk5000 · May 2010

Sounds like your dr is pretty standard, unless you are having problems or you are considered high risk, you don't need your beta levels. A lot of offices don't even do a blood test to confirm pregnancy.

Sorry, I know it's hard not to worry, but you probably have nothing to worry about.

izzourclue · May 2010

My OB usually doesn't see people until 6 weeks and they do an u/s then. I got my betas done right away at 4 weeks because I have had a previous loss. OB offices are all different. A lot of them won't see you until 8 or 10 weeks. 12 weeks is definitely on the upper end. If you are unhappy, you should switch. It doesn't sound like they are very accomodating.

LittleApple · May 2010

I have never gotten my betas done.

Balou127 · May 2010

thanks everyone. i know you probably all think im being a paranoid freak. its just hard not to already start worrying about everything. lol.

thanks again!!

nickandkate81107 · May 2010

Hey, we all take our turns at being paranoid freaks! I've never had betas done but my dr. has us get an ultrasound around 7 weeks. Like people said, everyone is different. Good luck!

PunkyBooster · May 2010

I didn't have betas. I believe those are for women who have had a history of issues- either with m/c or with fertility.

I had my first u/s at 8 weeks but we thought I was 9 based on LMP. This isn't all your dr's office, some insurance plans only cover 1 u/s at 20 weeks.

BallSox · May 2010

I'd pick a favorite ticker and get rid of the rest. It's a wee annoying. Just a heads up.

hot_tamale · May 2010

If it bothers you, I would get a different doctor. I haven't had any previous problems and my doctor saw me at 5 weeks and 6wks. She did blood tests and u/s both times to confirm the pregnancy. While some doctors do make you wait to be seen for the first time, others don't. It's up to you to decide whether you want someone else.

CandKmomma · May 2010

BallSox:
I'd pick a favorite ticker and get rid of the rest. It's a wee annoying. Just a heads up.

This.

Susan&Courtney · May 2010

I've had betas and will have two u/s before 10 weeks but that's only because of my infertility treatments and the fact that I won't be released from my RE to the OB/GYN until 10 weeks.