Can't even schedule an ultrasound until after 20 week appointment?

missyscadoo · July 2011

I was wondering if anyone else's Dr was the same way. At my first appointment I asked the doctor when they do ultrasounds and she said they just do one at 20 weeks. So... at my 16 week appointment I thought that we were going to schedule the appointment for 20 weeks. It's now 3 weeks later and I'm still bumming. Everyone else seems to have announcements up on what "team" they are and beautiful pics up of what they are having. I still have to wait a week for the doctors and I have a bad feeling it is going to take forever to get an appointment. DH says that we can't afford to go to one of the elective places (and I know he's right, whether I want him to be or not). Is anyone else stuck in ultrasound limbo? I LOVE my doctor, don't get me wrong. I just am getting impatient on waiting to see my lil' one!

Happily Overwhelmed · July 2011

I'm with you. I'll be 20 weeks when I go (August 5th). I'm a bit different I guess because I had one at 7 weeks...it didn't look like anything though. Waiting is hard but you're chances of them getting the gender right are higher!

missyscadoo · July 2011

It's true, by 24 weeks, the probable time for me to actually get an appointment around here, it should definitely be obvious! Good luck with yours next week and I hope your LO doesn't hide from you. My friend was super high risk and had an ultra sound every week, but still didn't find out til 27 weeks!

mintyblue02 · July 2011

I won't have my ultrasound until 23 weeks. The wait is hard when so many other people know already, but in the long run, will it really matter? It is just a matter of a few weeks. And it's still fun guessing what our LO might be!

mrskimm09 · July 2011

Our anatomy ultrasound is scheduled for 21 weeks. I dont even open the "its a..." or "were team... " posts bc I have to wait still.

We have an amnio on thursday so maybe we will find out sooner but not sure.

missjenna84 · July 2011

I guess every office can be different, but I first got one at 12 weeks! Then I got one at 17.5 weeks and getting another at 20.5 weeks! So, this just seems weird to me.

You CAN always look into paying for an elective ultrasound yourself. I just looked into package deals that ran from $75-200 depending on what you wanted, or how far along you were.... if your doctor said they do one at 20 weeks, at your next appointment they should have an U/S machine ready for you. Do you already have your next appointment set up?

missyscadoo · July 2011

Well, she told me in the beginning that they do them at 20 weeks and also that they don't do them there. You have to go to the hospital for them. My appointment is Aug. 4th and that is just a regular appointment. However she did say that she would then give me the information to schedule an ultrasound. I don't even have one scheduled at this point. It would be one thing if I had a day that I could look forward to, but I don't.

As far as the elective ultrasounds, as I mentioned in my first post we just don't have the funds for it. We are really low on money right now because I was put on medical leave from work at about 8 or 9 weeks after tearing ligaments in my stomach and having really bad cramps. Work required me to be able to lift 45lbs which is what caused the tearing in the first place. We didn't have insurance either (We had just moved and started new jobs. Our trials weren't over yet and is considered pre-existing if you find out before you officially sign up for medical coverage.) Today I was approved for emergency medical, but am unsure if the previous doctor's bills will be covered. No one seems to be hiring or won't hire me so far.

brea311 · July 2011

I would call your regular doctor and ask for the referral -- not sure why they didnt give it to you at the last appt. I also have to go elsewhere to get my ultrasound done (if it makes you feel better mine is scheduled for week 22) BUT, I got the referral at my 17 week appt. So I was able to schedule my ultrasound right away. Someone probably dropped the ball at your last appt. I hope you get to schedule it soon!

iluvmylab · July 2011

I am due on the 12th and my a/s is today. Not everyone has had one yet. There is no need to get u/s other than a mid-pregnancy one unless you have a history of loss or are having problems. It is not uncommon at all for doctors to only do one. Seeing the baby and finding out the sex are not the purposes of u/s.

Were you waiting for them to ask to schedule the appointment or did you ask yourself when you should make it? I made mine at my 18 week appointment.

indomesticbliss · July 2011

We will have ours between 21 and 22 weeks-our office should be scheduling it today. They won't even "try" for an a/s before 2 weeks unless there is a medical reason. Traditionally, my office only does one u/s at 20 weeks unless there is a problem or a history of issues.

I know it seems like a long wait sometimes, but remember, the point of an a/s is to see the anatomy, finding out the sex is an added bonus. Most offices wait until around 20 weeks so the anatomy is developed enough to fully assess the necessary organs and development.

MrsT2008 · July 2011

have you asked about scheduling it or are you just waiting for them to tell you to? I'd call them up and ask.

Elleivy28 · July 2011

I hit the 20 week mark yesterday and my ultrasound will be Friday. At my 19 week appointment my doctor ordered the ultrasound but he said not to schedule it until 20 or 21 weeks. I'll be halfway between the two when I get the ultrasound. He wanted me to wait because the longer you wait the more you can see. I know the waiting is difficult but hopefully the time will go fast for you.

SaraTF · July 2011

My doctor let me schedule it before then, but it had to be done after 20 weeks. So, I will be 21 weeks when I go for my a/s. I know that a lot of people get them done much earlier (especially on TB), but I'm okay with waiting. The doctor will be able to see more and it will be cheaper for me to do one successfully at 21 weeks than to have one done at 18 and for them to miss something and have me go back. I have a late due date anyway, so no matter what I will be one of the last to know on the board! I trust my doctor's opinion on this issue though, so I'm okay with waiting. (PS, I don't look at the team posts anymore! If I wasn't on here I probably wouldn't think that having an a/s at 21 weeks was late.)

DiademChi · July 2011

My OB had me schedule all my monthly appointments and the 20 week anatomy ultrasound in advance, so though I still have to wait, I at least have a set date for that big appointment.

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