No Ultrasound Until 20 Weeks??

callie2011 · October 2010

I just got off the phone with my doctor's office. I asked if I would be having an ultrasound at my appointment on Thursday. She said no, they probably wouldn't do one until 20 weeks. 20 WEEKS?? Has anyone else experienced this? That seems like an awfully long time!

Birdies08 · October 2010

They should offer you an NT scan before that (I think normally around 10-12 weeks), but maybe that isn't always offered at that practice/where you are. From my understanding, though, it's pretty routine.

I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll at least get to hear the HB before then!

marve10us · October 2010

My friend is actually experiencing this. She has her first ultrasound on Friday and will be finding out the gender then.

susieandmarty · October 2010

that's crazy talk and seems so far away. is there a reason for this. isnt there an anatomy scan well before that

LauraOTR · October 2010

My midwives office is like this. They said I won't have one at my 10-12 week appointment unless "needed." I'm not sure what they mean by that (I know they'd do it for dating, but I know when I ovulated).... I'm going to talk more about it with them next week. I really want one! A friend that used the same practice said that it's likely that I could just request it.

gymnst1013 · October 2010

susieandmarty:
that's crazy talk and seems so far away. is there a reason for this. isnt there an anatomy scan well before that

No, the anatomy scan is the 20ish week scan.

To OP, I think most places do u/s earlier than that but it's not completely unheard of. As a pp mentioned, they should give you an option for the NT scan as well or you can request it if you want it.

Pretzel80 · October 2010

My OB's office also told me not until 20 weeks unless you choose to do the NT scan which would be around 12 weeks.

I know it sounds like forever, but unfortunately its not uncommon to have to wait that long

LI444 · October 2010

I know it sounds like forever, but earlier ultrasounds are usually for high-risk pregnancies or for practices that just have the policy of doing one early and one at 20 weeks.

JennandCollin · October 2010

Yep! My doctor said 15-20 weeks unless one is needed before then. They said they like to wait that long so we have a better chance of seeing whether it is a hamburger or a hot dog, LOL!

callie2011 · October 2010

Interesting! I had no idea. I guess it makes me feel better that I'm not considered "high risk".

pmpkn219 · October 2010

I hope I get one before then, although not being high risk is good too!

My mom didn't get an US with me or my brother, says i was far less common- I told her that would never fly now!

marriedtoeric · October 2010

I'm only having one, and it's at 18-20 weeks. Low-risk pregnancies generally only *need* one ultrasound.

That said, you should have the option of an NT scan at 10-12 (12-14?) weeks if you choose to have one, but check with your insurance as to whether it would be covered.

casirdms · October 2010

Actually that is quite common. We scan many patients only once during their entire pregnancy and that is between 18-22 weeks for your anatomy scan.
First trimester scans are done a lot more frequently in doctors offices nowadays, but are really not necessary (though of course everyone wants to see their baby!) unless the mother has a history of irregular periods and is unsure of dates, or having problems such as bleeding, pain, etc.

The anatomy scan is considered the only necessary scan, to make sure all of babies organs and bones are growing properly.

Occasionally we will scan women in the late 30something weeks to check for growth. Like if the mother's belly is measuring larger than it should, then we might do an ultrasound to check for estimated fetal weight so the doctor can decide whether to induce labor and whatnot.

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No Ultrasound Until 20 Weeks??

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