Bringing DS to U/S appointment???

TerraCotta210 · October 2011

Does anyone plan on bringing an older child with them to an U/S appointment?

Our son, Alex, is 4 years old and over the moon about this pregnancy. He is more excited than I ever expected about the fact that he will soon be a big brother. Considering his excitement, DH and I have been thinking about bringing Alex to a future U/S appointment.....perhaps the gender scan we have scheduled for December??

Does anyone have any thoughts on the appropriateness of bringing a child to an U/S? If it makes any difference, we are lucky to have a very well behaved little guy that sits quietly and minds his manners.

ECUGirl2004 · October 2011

I had my NT scan this morning, and there was a family there with their 2-3 year old. I'm guessing they had an u/s appointment, but it's hard to know for sure.

DH wants to take DS to our big u/s, but I'm on the fence. I think we'll have to talk to him before then and see if we can explain it so that he can understand what will be going on and how he is expected to behave. If we decided to take him, we'd probably take something else he could do (color, watch a show or something) in case he got bored.

Other than possibly misbehaving or getting bored, my only other concern would be if they noticed something wrong on the ultrasound... I would hate to have DS in the room if we were getting bad news.

SaintCity · October 2011

When I was PG with DD, I used to see pregnant moms with LOs all the time at the OBs office. So i knew that it was ok to bring her with me this time around.

That being said, I get sent to an outside doc for specialized tests like NT scan and anatomy scan. The policy at that place is no children in the u/s rooms.

You can always call the office in advance and check. GL! He'll be a great big brother!

JEK76 · October 2011

I think at the age of 4, it would be super cool to bring him along. I guess the one question I would ask you is if your son acts up, are you ok with your DH having to leave you along during the u/s so he can get DS out of the room? That would be my only fear.

e_dogsgirl · October 2011

Our Dr.'s office does not allow children at all so I was thinking about getting a 3d/4d one done and they record it for you so we can have the kids see it at home in case they get bored with it.

Tippy05 · October 2011

Call your dr office to make sure it's ok first. I've seen other people bring their older kids in too, so it's probably ok but you just never know.

I probably wouldn't, but that's just me. Maybe you could get a DVD or a recording of it? Something to show him later?

No matter what you decide, good luck and sounds like your DS will be a great big brother!!

TerraCotta210 · October 2011

Thanks for the input everyone!!

I know that my OB office does allow children, which is definitely a plus. I honestly don't have any concerns about his behavior though - just 2 weeks ago he went with my mother (who cares for him while DH and I are at work) to admit my grandmother into a nursing home, which turned out to pretty much be an all day process. When I picked him up that evening my mother told me how the nursing home staff went on and on about how good he was and how they were impressed that he sat quietly and minded for almost 6 boring hours while my mother was filling out paperwork and getting my granmother settled.

All of that said, DH has already agreed to take DS out of the room if necessary - even if just for a potty break.

I guess I wasn't so concerned about DS being able to handle being a "big boy" and behaving during the U/S as I was concerned about people giving me the side-eye for bringing a 4 year old to an U/S appointment.

KSbride_to_be · October 2011

I know my DS would be perfectly behaved, so that wouldn't be a factor for me. (he is 5)

However, I don't think he'd really be able to "see" what was on the screen and interpret the images. I know I have a hard enough time making out those sonogram images.

chloebeth930 · October 2011

I think it would depend on the office policies and also how far along I was. I wouldn't bring a child to an ultrasound incase we got bad news. I would probably only bring them to the 20 week a/s.

appylovee · October 2011

My doctors office has specific policies against allowing children in the room. I would definatly call and check what your offices policies are before bringing your ds with you.

balibaby · October 2011

TerraCotta210:
Thanks for the input everyone!!
I know that my OB office does allow children, which is definitely a plus. I honestly don't have any concerns about his behavior though - just 2 weeks ago he went with my mother (who cares for him while DH and I are at work) to admit my grandmother into a nursing home, which turned out to pretty much be an all day process. When I picked him up that evening my mother told me how the nursing home staff went on and on about how good he was and how they were impressed that he sat quietly and minded for almost 6 boring hours while my mother was filling out paperwork and getting my granmother settled.
All of that said, DH has already agreed to take DS out of the room if necessary - even if just for a potty break.
I guess I wasn't so concerned about DS being able to handle being a "big boy" and behaving during the U/S as I was concerned about people giving me the side-eye for bringing a 4 year old to an U/S appointment.

balibaby · October 2011

TerraCotta210:
Thanks for the input everyone!!
I know that my OB office does allow children, which is definitely a plus. I honestly don't have any concerns about his behavior though - just 2 weeks ago he went with my mother (who cares for him while DH and I are at work) to admit my grandmother into a nursing home, which turned out to pretty much be an all day process. When I picked him up that evening my mother told me how the nursing home staff went on and on about how good he was and how they were impressed that he sat quietly and minded for almost 6 boring hours while my mother was filling out paperwork and getting my granmother settled.
All of that said, DH has already agreed to take DS out of the room if necessary - even if just for a potty break.
I guess I wasn't so concerned about DS being able to handle being a "big boy" and behaving during the U/S as I was concerned about people giving me the side-eye for bringing a 4 year old to an U/S appointment.

RMama2012 · October 2011

If you are able to, do it!!! My younger brother and I are exactly 4 years apart (our birthday's are a day apart) and my other younger brother is 5.5 years younger than me. When my mom was pregnant with them, my dad worked 24/7 and she didn't have anyone to watch me. I remember hearing both of their heartbeats! It's a really special thing. I completely understood and feel so blessed that I still remember both of their heartbeats to this day!

kellyowen · October 2011

We will be bringing our DD with us for the A/S Ultrasound. At our office they don't have any rules. They actual said the more the merrier The u/s room is a very large room. I think we had 10 people in the room plus the tec and me and we did find out that we had a tear in the placenta but she had us stay in the room and went over everything with us, very professional IMO. This time around we are just going to have the 3 of us plus the tec and DD will tell the whole fam after!!! Can't wait!

balibaby · October 2011

Sorry for my other blank replies. I would not for a second hesitate for other people "giving you the side eye." This is your life, your pregnancy and these are one in a lifetime moments to share with your son. I brought dd to all my u/s appts when I was pregnant w/ DS, she loved, loved seeing him swim around and kick. I am positive she totally got it and she was only two at the time. If people are giving you the side eye, I think that's just sad and it makes me wonder what they will be like as parents, or I would just think they don't get it yet b/c their kids aren't here yet. You are growing your family, that is a beautiful thing. FYI, I had dd and ds with me at my first u/s this time, no ds didn't get it, yes it was hectic (ds was basically straddling my ribs for the u/s), but It personally meant so much to have them both there to me. DD was over te moon to see the baby and hear the heartbeat, I think your ds will be too:) I also think it's a very important part of preparing them for their new sibs (not talking about my ds here b/c he is too little to get it.) Also, my DH was with me to help out. And, finally do check w/ your ob's office. Kids are not welcome at my a/s, which I have done at a seperate office. Good luck and HTH.

balibaby · October 2011

I would also add that out of all the u/s I would probably not bring a little kid to the a/s one because it can take a very long time to get all the measurements depending on baby's cooperation. Last time my a/s was over 45 min and I know dd would have been antsy by the end.

livinreality · October 2011

We are not if we can get a sitter... but our ultrasound place gives you a cd with pictures and a movie so we can show that to DS at home.

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