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Houston Babies
How many ultrasounds did you have?
If you had a rather uneventful TTC/pregnancy process, what was your ultrasound schedule like?
With DS, I had 8 week (and an extra at 9 because my doctor was "sick" aka hungover at my 8 week) and 20 weeks. I never made it to my 36 week.
This time seems to be the same, but I feel like my friends all get them more often. I know many did the 12 week screening to get the extra ultrasound but I know some have gotten one at every appointment... does insurance cover this or do doctors just do it and not charge? Do I just go to the wrong doctor?
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Re: How many ultrasounds did you have?
I insisted that they give me an early ultrasound to "date" my pregnancy. I knew exactly what day I ovulated but my cycles were so long I doubted they would believe me and if they used the little wheel thingy to date from my last period my due date would be 2-3 weeks too early.
So 5 weeks, then again around 12 (when they would normally do all the testing, though I didn't do the testing, my midwives did an in-office ultrasound just so I could see him), the big one at 20 weeks, then one a few weeks later because he wouldn't hold still for all the necessary measurements at 20 weeks. And finally one at 41 weeks to evaluate fluid levels and the placenta. Total of 5. It would have only been 3 though if my kid were more cooperative and punctual.
I had one at 5 weeks with my RE, one at 8 weeks with my OB, and one at 20 weeks. I was induced at 41 weeks but never had another ultrasound.
I was hoping for one around 36 weeks, but that just didn't happen. I don't know how they decide how many you get.
Dx: PCOS and short luteal phase
18 cycles (3 with our RE) - Metformin + Clomid + HCG booster did the trick!
BFP #1 6/22/09 EDD: 3/2/10 DS born: 3/8/10
TTC #2 since Dec 2011
BFP #2 7/8/12 EDD: 3/18/12 M/C @ 9w1d: 8/16/12
I *know* that I'm probably "normal" or whatever, I just want to see a baby... the flickering dot didn't do it for me.
(very hard to say this) I'm just not getting excited about this baby yet and it's really got me down. I want to feel it or see it or something. I don't look pregnant. The only way I *feel* pregnant is in negative ways (tired, puking, etc). I don't know, I just want to see this baby and connect with it somehow. I'm sure this is totally normal but I don't like the way it has me down.
I think your lack of excitement/attachment is normal, as is the feeling bad about it.
My BFF is 28ish weeks pregnant with her second (her first is only 14 months old) and I know she has had a really hard time because she doesn't feel the same degree of excitement she did the first time around and she feels guilty about it. Plus her excitement is really tempered by the "OMG how am I going to deal with TWO babies" feeling. So no advice but I thought you might like to know you aren't alone.
around 6-8 weeks to find the HB, I did the NT scan at 13 weeks, 20 weeks for A/S, then usually no one does them much after that, but my doc usually squeezes one in around 33/34 just to check on everything again (I don't know that it's covered by insurance, though - if it is, it must be b/c it's "ordered" or something).
I know how you feel. I got more excited when I was feeling consistant movement - around 18-19 weeks, and then when we got to see her as a "baby" at the 20 wk u/s. Don't worry, the weeks will fly by!
I know some people that are only covered for 2 ultrasounds during their pregnancy under their insurance, unless the doctor deems more "medically necessary".
If I wouldn't have had 2 previous m/c's and gone to an RE...I would only have 4 ultrasounds this pregnancy, one at 8-10 weeks, one at 11-13 wks (for the NT scan/testing), one at 20 wks, and one in the 30 wk range (not sure exactly when my dr does them). With ds, I only had 3 because we didn't do the NT scan/testing.
However, because of my previous losses and going to an RE, I had an ultrasound every week starting at 6 wks until I was released from the RE at 11 wks. Then my ob did an u/s before I went to the NT scan to make sure baby was still ok. I haven't had another u/s since the NT, my next one will be next week for the anatomy scan then I won't have another one until the end of the pregnancy.
Trust me when I say you should be thankful for only needing 3 ultrasounds (or 4 if you do the testing) during your pregnancy. Being pregnant after loss is no fun and every ultrasound brings a big ball of nervousness and anxiety that I'd really rather not have.
I am so sorry this has you down. I only have one baby, but was thinking about this same topic the other day since we were discussing when we will try for baby #2. I am sure I will feel the exact same way. I know it is normal, but I'm sure it doesn't make it any easier for you. I hope you start to feel kicks soon and that the negative sides of pregnancy are over before you know it.
Hugs!!!
Dx: PCOS and short luteal phase
18 cycles (3 with our RE) - Metformin + Clomid + HCG booster did the trick!
BFP #1 6/22/09 EDD: 3/2/10 DS born: 3/8/10
TTC #2 since Dec 2011
BFP #2 7/8/12 EDD: 3/18/12 M/C @ 9w1d: 8/16/12
Pics by Fleurish Imagery
I remember posting this same question when I was pregnant with Collin. I felt the same way and wanted to see the baby to be able to be more excited.
With DD I had I think 4? With DS I only had 2 - and that's only because I had some bleeding at around 7-ish weeks so I had to go to the ER to get the shot since I'm RH neg. They did a vaginal one there to see the "flicker" and then since I declined the NT scan we had the anatomy scan at 20 weeks and that was it. So without having to go to the ER, I would have only had 1.
Collin Thayne 10.11.2010
BFP with no treatment!
Hugs! I think seeing the baby helped so much with pregnancy #2. I'd beg your dr to do one - insurance should pay for it. Or maybe you could go to one of those ultrasound places and pay for one yourself?
BFP with no treatment!
With my first pregnancy, I can't remember exactly when (except for the 12 week screening) but I probably had like 6 to 8 of them. My dr. has an u/s machine in a couple of his exam rooms so that made it pretty easy to get one when I asked him. With this pregnancy I've had more bedcasue there were some concerns in the begining but then it was resolved. I just ask for it if it's been awhile. Like yesterday, for example, I went in for my 36 week check up & I asked if he would check babys size real fast. It wasn't a full length u/s but I was happy
. So far I haven't been charged for any of the u/s I've asked for. With this pregnancy my insurance is different so I've had to pay for more stuff than the first but nothing about requested ultrsounds.
My sister went to a different dr. and had less but they didn't have the machines on site. Does your dr. have them in his office?
While I'm sure you weren't implying that I'm not thankful, I want to make it clear that I am in NO WAY saying I wish I had a more complicated situation that would warrant more ultrasounds. I am thankful for the (fairly) uncomplicated/uneventful first pregnancy and for this one.
I was simply asking because I do have friends that I KNOW had doctors that did ultrasounds at every appointment, no matter if they were high risk or not and I just started to wonder if my doctor was in the minority or theirs.
Nope, definitely wasn't implying that. I think your friends are in the minority because most doctors I know of only do 2-3 (not including any extra testing).
Um...I had two miscarriages so my OB did a few extra...6 weeks, 8 week, 13 weeks, 19 weeks, 24 weeks, 30 weeks, and 36 weeks. I think that is right.
But I also wanted to say that I felt exactly the same as you with Evan and he was my first one...I honestly didn't feel excited even once I had him. Totally normal and totally normal to feel guilty about it.
So Tasty, So Yummy
We are both due around the same time. With this being my 2nd, I haven't felt as excited as I was with DS when everything was so new and "the first time." I don't feel pregnant either except for getting sick. DH even commented the other night that he "forgets" I'm pregnant sometimes since I'm not really showing, we don't know the sex, etc. We are both assuming/hoping that we'll feel more connected this time once we know the sex and can feel kicks, etc. With DS, I guess it was so exciting and new to us that we felt pregnant from the beginning. You are not alone in your feelings.
So far, I've had ultrasounds at 9 weeks and 13 weeks. Both were primarily to hear the heartbeat and check growth. I was told we were not being charged for the 2nd one since it was just to check the heartbeat. I think our insurance covers as many as needed, as long as we pay our 20% portion. I'll have another one around 20 weeks, and a Level 2 ultrasound at a perinatalogist around 25 weeks. (DS had a heart defect and we just want to make sure this baby does not as well.)
* I know I don't post on here and I'm a lurkie loo but I thought I would chime in ~ hope you will still have me*
Are you sure your friends aren't high risk or had complications?
I only ask because I had two with my first pregnancy with Noah [totally normal and uneventful] and with this one I've already had 6 and I'm only half way [6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18 weeks] - I still have 4 more scheduled. My TTC process was pretty hard this time and I had significant bleeding nd other complications and was on pelvic rest [which not only stops you from having sex but from picking my kid up or cleaning the house or standing for long periods or working out] I haven't really shared any of the "problems" I've had with this pregnancy with my IRL friends so maybe they didn't mention it?? Just trying to look at it from another perspective.
I had one at 5, 7, 9, 12, and 20 weeks and they said something about doing one at 28 and 32 weeks.
I think the only reason why I had so many is because we had trouble TTC and my doctors office is used to dealing with high risk pregnancies.
I have a friend who's about 4 weeks behind me and her doctor only does them if you want to know the sex and so she isn't planning on having any done.
If my pregnancy didn't end with me in the hospital for almost a month, I would have had 3:
-10 weeks to date
-20 weeks anatomy scan (level II due to my age)
-34 week growth (age/high BP history)
Since I was in the hospital starting at 31 weeks, I got at least 10 while I was there.