Anyone elses doc not doing growth ultrasound?

TCUFrogMom11 · May 2011

Hey-

My doctor is not doing a growth ultrasound and I am getting kind of frustrated. Everyone knows approx. how much baby weighs and such and they just don't do those at our practice? Should I be concerned or should I just roll with the punches? I called the OB Nurse coordinator today to talk to her and see why they wouldn't be doing it and why thats standard procedure, but everyone I have talked to says that that is weird. Any thoughts?

luckyluvr · May 2011

From what I understand, growth u/s are for special situations where there's concern. If you've had a healthy pregnancy, they don't do them, so I wouldn't be too frustrated. I've never even heard of one until June 2011 moms, and this is my 3rd baby.

khoping · May 2011

I am going to ask for it tomorrow when I go in. Let you know how it goes.

absoluteremix · May 2011

My doctor did give me an estimated weight at my last week appointment. I guess he determined it by measuring?? I asked him if they would be doing a growth ultrasound. He said the only reason he would do one is if he suspects the baby is around 10 pounds. Otherwise, no more ultrasounds for me either! I'm fine with that though. We'll see her soon enough!

soontobe05 · May 2011

If everything was going fine and I wasn't measuring ahead I wouldn't be having one but as of yesterday I was measuring 40wks and I'm actually only 36. The fact that I'm wanting to do VBAC makes her want to do the ultrasound to see how big he is because he feels huge to touch and by belly measurement.

If you've been measuring fine and haven't had any other complications (Pre-e, GD etc) that's probably why.

Telly21182 · May 2011

I'm not getting one either I haven't talked to my doctor or nurses about it but I did plan on bringing it up at my next appt.

I just want to know what to expect size wise. He was big at my Anatomy scan, so should I still expect a bigger baby?! A lot can change in 19 weeks and he may have just had a growth spurt or something then and is actually very average in size.

Until know though I didn't think it was normal to get a growth u/s but it seems like everyone else is getting one so now I'm not so sure!

Rachel5782 · May 2011

I haven't seen my baby since 20 weeks! Our doctor doesn't do a growth ultrasound unless they find a medical reason to do so. At first I was disappointed, but now I've gotten over it. I'm just happy that everything looks good enough not to warrant a reason to get one. It will make it all the more special when we see our babies "on the outside!"

SarahP15 · May 2011

luckyluvr:
From what I understand, growth u/s are for special situations where there's concern. If you've had a healthy pregnancy, they don't do them, so I wouldn't be too frustrated. I've never even heard of one until June 2011 moms, and this is my 3rd baby.

this.

MrsPBNJ0220 · May 2011

I have understood that growth ultrasounds are intended for people who actually need them, not just that they want them or that the practice does them. I have them done becuase of GD and because of Gestational Hypertension. I wouldn't let it frustrate you, I would be happy to know I don't have the sort of pregnancy the requires it to be done, and be happy about that. Good Luck!

gymnst1013 · May 2011

Mine is not. You are fortunate that you have no issues or potential issues to make one necessary.

kimbo1216 · May 2011

That means everything appears healthy and you are measuring on track. You should feel lucky you aren't having one.

I had to have one because I was consistently measuring 3 weeks ahead and she estimated to be int he 76 percentile as far as size and weight.

denall · May 2011

My practice only does it for three reasons:

~ You're measuring 4+ weeks ahead, or 4+ weeks behind.

~ You are 41 weeks along, and they want to see whats up.

~ You are high risk already, and thus concerns are already in the air.

Otherwise your last ultrasound is the anatomy scan ultrasound. So unless your Doctor has had a concern, they probably won't give you one!

gymnst1013 · May 2011

Telly21182:

I'm not getting one either I haven't talked to my doctor or nurses about it but I did plan on bringing it up at my next appt.

I just want to know what to expect size wise. He was big at my Anatomy scan, so should I still expect a bigger baby?! A lot can change in 19 weeks and he may have just had a growth spurt or something then and is actually very average in size.

Until know though I didn't think it was normal to get a growth u/s but it seems like everyone else is getting one so now I'm not so sure!

Growth u/s are very rarely accurate so even getting one, you wouldn't know for sure how big your LO will be. They are often off by several lbs.

3Girls3xsTheFun · May 2011

I had them with both of my previous pregnancies and I had no issues whatsoever. It was just the standard at that office.

My OB this time around doesn't do them. He also doesn't do internals until 40 weeks (to see if you are a good canidate for induction).

I was bummed because I would love another look at her, but I understand that there isn't a real need for it.

So, you're not alone!

kas80 · May 2011

Mine doesn't do them either unless you are measuring abnormally. She gave me an estimate based on my fundal height measurements, but I had to ask her specifically for it. If you are curious you could try that.

ann_jeremiah · May 2011

From what I've read... U/S really aren't great for the baby, so they try to do as few as possible. If you have had a healthy/normal pregnancy - they don't generally do them after your anatomy scan.

TCUFrogMom11 · May 2011

Thanks Ladies... this all makes sense. Def. not complaining, just want to make sure I am being as proactive as possible! Again, thank you all for the input! We are all so close to delivery... I feel like we are a little sorority of mommies

ACM1616 · May 2011

I had a growth u/s at 29 weeks because i'm high risk, and IUGR is a risk for me. I have had weekly u/s's due to low fluid ever since. But if you've had a healthy pregnancy, there should be no reason to have a growth u/s.

Sa2827 · May 2011

I was wondering the same thing.... everyone is talking stats on their LOs and I just know measuring on time this week. Had no idea this is only done on special circumstances.... good to know, now i wont be so sad when they tell me no i wont get one haha

OctoberCAPA · May 2011

ann_jeremiah:
From what I've read... U/S really aren't great for the baby, so they try to do as few as possible. If you have had a healthy/normal pregnancy - they don't generally do them after your anatomy scan.

Where did you read that ultrasounds aren't good for the baby? Everything I've seen says they are completely harmless. It's not like an X-ray. The reason to do as few as possible is because they're unnecessary if the pregnancy is healthy/normal, not because it's going to cause harm.

bestmaid6 · May 2011

gymnst1013:
Mine is not. You are fortunate that you have no issues or potential issues to make one necessary.

This. I'm still measuring on track, blood pressure is fine and glucose is normal. As much as I would love to see little dude again, I'm thankful to not have a need for another ultrasound.

ChristinaMT4 · May 2011

I've never had one with any of my kids. I'm in agreement with those saying be glad we don't need them.

LexGator · May 2011

My OB doesn't do them unless needed. I measured big at my appointment yesterday, so I'm getting one next Tuesday because they want to have a better estimate on the baby's size.

O2BaMom · May 2011

Rachel5782:
I haven't seen my baby since 20 weeks! Our doctor doesn't do a growth ultrasound unless they find a medical reason to do so. At first I was disappointed, but now I've gotten over it. I'm just happy that everything looks good enough not to warrant a reason to get one. It will make it all the more special when we see our babies "on the outside!"

This for us too.

JuneBugsMommy · May 2011

My doctor only does one ultrasound, the 20 week anatomy scan, so no growth ultrasound for me.

ashleah83 · May 2011

I have a MW and we weren't offered a growth u/s either. I can't imagine why it would be necessary unless there are complications in your pregnancy.

SarahKate31 · May 2011

They aren't standard with my OB. But I will be getting one next week. Apparently I have been measuring 2 weeks ahead and between that and the Drs examination of my bump she thinks he might be on the big side. So they will check via u/s. She warned that the u/s can be off by a pound either way, but it will be nice to see LO again anyway!

LexGator · May 2011

SarahKate31:
They aren't standard with my OB. But I will be getting one next week. Apparently I have been measuring 2 weeks ahead and between that and the Drs examination of my bump she thinks he might be on the big side. So they will check via u/s. She warned that the u/s can be off by a pound either way, but it will be nice to see LO again anyway!

That's the exact reason why I'm having one next week as well. I just started measuring big this week, but I'm big enough that they want to see how big the baby is!

d6u23e11 · May 2011

My doctor does them at 36 weeks for everyone (unless you don't want it). Also, anytime I go in for my normal appointment, if I want to see what position the baby is in, he will do a really quick one in the room (rather than seeing the tech in the office). So far I have only gone to see the tech for the anatomy scan and I will go on Monday for the growth u/s. I haven't had any complications though, its just how my doctor does it.

MrsPBNJ0220 · May 2011

OctoberCAPA:

ann_jeremiah:
From what I've read... U/S really aren't great for the baby, so they try to do as few as possible. If you have had a healthy/normal pregnancy - they don't generally do them after your anatomy scan.

Where did you read that ultrasounds aren't good for the baby? Everything I've seen says they are completely harmless. It's not like an X-ray. The reason to do as few as possible is because they're unnecessary if the pregnancy is healthy/normal, not because it's going to cause harm.

I agree considering I have been getting one practically every 2 weeks since I was 20 weeks. I doubt they would do them if they were that dangerous, no matter how high risk you may be!

vigurl · May 2011

SarahP15:
luckyluvr:
From what I understand, growth u/s are for special situations where there's concern. If you've had a healthy pregnancy, they don't do them, so I wouldn't be too frustrated. I've never even heard of one until June 2011 moms, and this is my 3rd baby.
this.

Yep! This exactly. Don't worry about it. It means you are having a textbook pregnancy!!! Which is a wonderful thing!

Pretzel80 · May 2011

luckyluvr:
From what I understand, growth u/s are for special situations where there's concern. If you've had a healthy pregnancy, they don't do them, so I wouldn't be too frustrated. I've never even heard of one until June 2011 moms, and this is my 3rd baby.

This exactly!! The only reason I had one was due to concerns with how my fundal height was measuring. Not having a growth u/s means your doctor thinks your baby's growth is right on track and that's not something to be sad about!!

Plus, later ultrasounds aren't as fun as the anatomy scan...they baby is so big at that point that you don't get to see as much. I promise, you aren't missing out on anything Wink

lynn97 · May 2011

It's my understanding that these are for special situations as well. I'm scheduled for one at 36 weeks for two reasons: 1. I'm very petite and my doctor is concerned about making sure the baby is not too big for me to deliver vaginally. 2. I have fibroids and she wants to make sure they are not affecting the baby and that they are still out of the way and will not cause any labor complications.

If your doctor doesn't think one is necessary, I'd take it as a positive sign.

KYBABY2011 · May 2011

My doctor isn't doing any. Our last one was at about 28 weeks due to a complication. I would like to know how big he is too.

I am grateful that I'm not having more issues though.

pmpkn219 · May 2011

Ours doesn't do one unless there's a concern- gestational diabetes, unexpected growth or lack thereof on the fundal height or mom's weight...

US done this late can be Really off on the estimated weight (+/- 1-2 lbs!) so it seems pointless unless they're looking for a specific reason.

b55c · May 2011

that's my doc's standard. i only got one b/c i was in the hospital last week with a kidney infection and they needed to check that the baby was ok. otherwise, i wouldn't have had one past week 20 or so.

erinlovesdavid · May 2011

My doctor said that the measurements taken at the growth u/s can be VERY inaccurate based on a number of factors, so he really only does them if/when there is cause for concern--fundus measuring behind or way ahead.

actresscye · May 2011

I had the threat for preterm labor and have not seen baby since early April. I will not see her until she is born in June. Even then, I had to ask if they could tell me about the growth of the baby. I never get those ultrasounds. I don't even get my cervix checked anymore. I get the fundal height reading and get told "the baby is growing nicely" and that's it.

I kind of wish I heard more about the baby on a regular basis but oh well.

mskolman · May 2011

The fact that you aren't getting a growth ultrasound is a good thing. It means you and your baby are doing well. I had ultrasounds every week at the end with my son because he had a heart defect. It is weird not getting them this time, but very nice at the same time. My doc said boring is good in the OB world.

For what it's worth, my son was estimated to be about 7 1/2 pounds about a week before he was born and he was only 6 lbs. 4 oz. So, they aren't always so accurate. But, a good monitoring tool if there are concerns with the baby.

EmilyJBrown · May 2011

Mine isn't even though I've been measuring 2-3 weeks ahead, on top of the fact that I was born 10lbs 6oz. Needless to say, I'm a little scared what I'll be dealing with, but growth ultrasounds aren't all that accurate anyway. (I'll just keep telling myself that and hope for the best...)

monkeysmama62 · May 2011

Mine is only doing one because he seems concerned with how big the baby might be. It does seem a little weird to me. I would think they would at least want an idea of how big the baby is.

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