Question on u/s

whiterabbit5 · August 2011

Maybe this is a silly question, but I can honestly say I don't know the answer. How come some doctors u/s as early as 6 weeks? My doctor will not heartbeat check or u/s until 12 weeks. It's making me a little nutty b/c I have to wait that long. Is this normal? I'm assuming every doctor is different but if you can hear a heartbeat as early as 6 weeks then why doesn't every doctor check?

Tambcat · August 2011

I think they are only supposed to do ultrasounds when medically necessary, so if they can't come up with a reason for doing one at 6 weeks (e.g., need to date the pregnancy, pregnancy is high risk), then they don't. Mine doesn't do them as a matter of course either, but I am going to request one since I had a previous m/c and have had some spotting and cramping this pregnancy. I don't know if they'll do it, but I figured it's worth a shot.

llizzyb · August 2011

I see an RE (reproductive endocrinologist) since we went through infertility. As a general rule, RE's do quite a few early u/s. Most RE's release you to a regular OBGYN at 10-12 weeks, so about the time you'll go in for yours.

I lucked out in that my RE also delivers, so I'm staying with him the entire pregnancy.

mommy~to~mj · August 2011

In my case (previous pregnancy) she sent me for one because I got pregnant right after a miscarriage (no period in between) so we needed to date it. Otherwise I think they try and hold off until later.

KelinandKevin · August 2011

Unless there is a reason to worry they won't do one until 9-12 weeks, depending on the OB. For people like me they get me in for u/s early because I have had multiple ectopic (tubal) pregnancies and they want to make sure everything is in the right place since that can be life threatening. I know how hard it is to wait, but be happy that you have no reason for concern!

Good Luck!

mrsupgrade · August 2011

Most insurance companies only cover 1 u/s.

Most people with previous losses or spotting can get other u/s covered.

okate0213 · August 2011

Every OB is different, mine automatically does them at 8 wks for dating, one at 18 wks, anatomy scan and the last around 34 wks. I would call your insurance and see what you can get and just ask you OB to schedule one. I would be nervous if it went that long too, I like how my OB office does it.

Heddarc · August 2011

I will be 11w6d when I get my first u/s so I think it just depends on the dr. I have a 38 day countdown on my calendar, it can't come fast enough!

MrWhiskers · August 2011

It definitely depends on the DR. I have no history of infertility or miscarriages or anything that would put me at risk with this pregnancy (my first), but I'm going in Thursday for an u/s and I'm only 6 weeks. I didn't ask for one, the DR just said "ok you can schedule an appointment for next week and we can check the heartbeat"

lenfant1201 · August 2011

My practice routinely does an ultrasound at 8 weeks to confirm that there's a heartbeat, confirm how many, and confirm that it's not ectopic. At 11-13 weeks, you have the option of doing the nuchal translucency ultrasound, which checks for Down's Syndrome. Then they do the big u/s at 20 weeks. HTH!

PinkPeony6210 · August 2011

My practice only does one routine u/s at 17-18 weeks. You can opt to have the NT scan (which is done at the hospital) if you want. I had one at the end (37weeks) to see if DD was head down.

Sterling8888 · August 2011

My RE does an early u/s around 7 weeks to confirm heartbeat and number of babies (!), then releases me to my regular Ob/Gyn, who won't do an u/s until around 9-10 weeks.

kkfeb04 · August 2011

I had my first u/s last time around at 6w0d. DS was conceived with clomid. I also had the N/T scan at 13w. Another u/s at 20w (the anatomy scan but we were team green), another at 26w, then weekly starting at 28w due to GD. I even had u/s on a Monday with OB and another on Tuesday with the MFM. Sometimes they were on the same day. I never had an issue with the insurance company even before the GD. I have one of those flip books filled with just u/s pictures.

I go for my appt on Wednesday so they may check for placement then or just wait until the following week when I have a u/s scheduled. This was a natural conception so I was shocked when they told me they would see me so soon and that they would do an u/s so early.

sarahnwill · August 2011

My normal OB has my first one scheduled for 9.5 weeks, but I work at a fertility clinic, so our nurse just scanned me today to make sure everything is going ok!

WildcatPrincess · August 2011

FWIW you can't hear a h/b at 6 weeks, you can only see it on an u/s. So if your office doesn't routinely do them (which mine doesn't) your first appoint is closer to 12 weeks - that's generally around the time you can start to hear the h/b with a doppler.

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