No 3rd trimester ultrasound....

ksw5ff · April 2012

So for the last two Dr appts we've asked if we're going to get an ultrasound to see if DD if progressing normally and to get her measurements. We haven't had a US since our failed 4d (she wouldn't show us her face so we were given a refund) and I'm getting a little frustrated. This past visit at 33 weeks we asked and our Dr said "I don't see any reason to ask for a US so we're probably not going to do it." When I started asking my mommy friends if this was normal most have said that it's not and they should do an ultrasound for each trimester, especially towards the end to make sure the cord isn't wrapped around her neck. SO I'm asking YOU mommies and preggos if this has been your experience or what I should do. Help?

piedpiper07 · April 2012

Where I live there is only 1 standard ultrasound at 18-20 weeks (anatomy scan) unless there is a problem suspected. I think it is pretty normal to not get one in your 3rd trimester unless your doc wants to check something specific.

nanabanana06 · April 2012

No, it's normally not normal to get a 3rd tri U/S. Most places only do it if there is a reason. So things like GD (since that usually makes large babies), if they think the baby is breech, or if they think your fluid is low. If your doc isn't worried about any of those things than more than likely you won't get a 3rd tri U/S. Also, it's very difficult to tell via U/S if the cord is wrapped around the babies neck.

Daisy22 · April 2012

My practice doe not do any u/s after the 20wks one unless you are having issues like ptl or gd etc. even my friends who don't go to my practice do not get u/s after 20wks so I would say you are fine.

FemShep · April 2012

Most people don't get an ultrasound after 20 weeks. I didn't with DD, and the only reason I'm getting one with this pregnancy is because they saw an echogenic bowel at 18 weeks.

Hkaye · April 2012

No if you have a normal pregnancy than there is no reason to have one. With dd I only had two, one at 8 weeks and one at 20 weeks. This one I am high risk so I have had 5 or 6.

EmilyXLC · April 2012

I haven't had an ultrasound since my 30 week optional 4-D one. They are able to make sure she is growing normally by you stepping on the scale & measuring that ever-growing belly. Having the cord wrapped around her neck isn't an issue unless you feel a decrease in fetal activity... that is why they ask you if baby has been active.

Don't worry, you will have her in your arms soon enough, momma! I miss seeing my little boy, too! Maybe you can re-try the 4-D ultrasound if you really wanna see her that badly?

Sherbet Lemon · April 2012

I only had 3 u/s this pregnancy. One at 7/8 weeks for dating purposes (I only had 1 period after removing my IUD so had no clue how long my cycles were), the n/t screening at 12 weeks, and the a/s at 20. If I go past due, they'll do an u/s to check on the safety of allowing the pregnancy to continue w/out induction.

I think it's perfectly normal not to have anything done past week 20.

stemms8810 · April 2012

It's not typical to have a 3rd tri u/s unless there is a medical reason to do so. I have had 2 but that is because I am at risk for pre-e and they wanted to check growth, otherwise I wouldn't have had one past 20 weeks.

sam19 · April 2012

Your friends are wrong. It's completely normal to not get a 3rd trimester ultrasound. At my previous practice I only got one ultrasound at 20 weeks. If your doctor is concerned then they'll do an ultrasound.

chloebeth930 · April 2012

It is normal not to get an u/s after the anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks.

kjg5445 · April 2012

i only had one because i was having PTL and wanted to see how big he was at 35 weeks. Otherwise i would have had one ultrasound for the anatomy scan at 18 weeks. I dont think 3rd tri scans are normal for a healthy pregnancy with no complications

catmtl · April 2012

Aw, that's too bad if it's not a common practice for you ladies. My doc's office schedules the last u/s at 32 weeks AND it's a 3D one. It's the one where he does his final measurements and gives you an estimate of baby's size at birth (which I understand is only a guess). I'm going a week from Monday and can't wait to see baby's face assuming he cooperates.

awinter05 · April 2012

It is my understanding that u/s performed after the anatomy scan are generally not done unless there is some other medical reason. For example, we had a growth u/s a couple of weeks ago because I am measuring 3 weeks ahead. My OB had informed me prior to this u/s that we wouldn't have any additional u/s (after the anatomy scan) unless I started measuring more than 2 weeks ahead or there was another medical reason.

We will have another growth u/s because the baby is measuring big and was in a frank breech position at the last u/s.

Smootchy · April 2012

Totally normal not to get an ultrasound....

I know you are antsy to see your LO but no ultra sound is a good thing, it means you have no health concerns to worry about.

smacb · April 2012

No, normally the last ultrasound is at 20 weeks. I had an third tri ultrasond with my son because I was measuring huge and I had GD. With this baby, I'm super high risk, with multiple complications and my MFM is delivering. I get ultrasounds at least once a week.

sda6485 · April 2012

From what I've seen on TB, it's absolutely normal to not have another U/S after the 18-20 week A/S. However, at my office, they did a growth U/S at 32 weeks (with 3D-4D as a bonus) and they just did another growth U/S at 36 weeks. But all offices are different.

bethCT · April 2012

kitchencolors:
theresat858:
Be glad you don't have any pregnancy complications warranting later ultrasounds.
AMEN. Good advice for anyone who wants lots of ultrasounds.

Ditto, dont wish for a medical test you dont need. I have to have them monthly because of twins, multiple losses and low PAPP-A. Every one is scary because of my history. Congrats on a healthy easy pregnancy

duckiegrl · April 2012

Honestly, what your doctor told you is the norm. They don't do extra ultrasounds unless there is a problem or you're high risk. Be thankful that you're having a healthy pregnancy.

If you're that anxious since you got a refund for your failed 4d why don't you reschedule for another one?

eav2c · April 2012

They only do u/s in 3rd tri at my office if it's needed...such as: high risk or if the ute is measuring behind or ahead. From what I have read and heard, it's pretty common to just have the dating and a/s u/s.

tjkdlhb · April 2012

Same as many PPs...They only do them after the 20 week scan in my area if there is reason for concern.

easjer05 · April 2012

It's not common throughout the country, no, though it is becoming more common in larger practices in the US and more common throughout Europe generally.

The reality is that they aren't necessary generally - weight estimates are predictive only and can be off by as much as a pound or more in either direction (and regardless, weight estimates are not indicative of your body's ability to birth a baby of that size). Position can change even late in pregnancy, and over a third of all pregnancies have nuchal cords (half of which resolve prior to birth).

Like continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labor, having the technology does not actually mean that the best use of the technology is more of it. Because u/s only capture a moment in time, it could appear to indicate a problem where none exists. Certainly, u/s is an important tool in the presence of other indicators - fundal height being too big or too small, questions about fluid levels, questions about health of the fetus, monitoring for high risk pregnancies. . . but in the main, it's not necessary to do a third tri u/s.

That said - it is actually standard for my doctor's practice to do an u/s at 36 weeks to check the position and fluid levels on all patients. As a high risk patient, I've had lots of u/s (one or more a week since 32 weeks) in third tri and I can tell you that while baby has been great for most of them, there have been at least two that were a bit frightening at the time. One where the baby measured way ahead and the fluid levels were abnormally high (but not quite in the territory of polyhydramnios). Turned out that we literally caught a growth spurt in progress - but it was a stressful couple of weeks waiting to see what would happen next. I'd be happy enough to avoid that if I could.

martacaroline · April 2012

I have an ultrasound at every single appointment, even now when it's weekly. I guess it totally depends on the practice!

jennyann28 · April 2012

What you should do is relax, and listen to your doctor. It is not normal to have u/s in the 3rd tri. Be thankful you don't need them. I've had 10 in the 3rd tri because I am high risk. I'd trade those u/s back to NOT have any complications. I'll also tell you that later 3rd tri u/s aren't very exciting anyway. Around 34 weeks, unless your baby is breech, you won't be able to see his/her face in 3D because they are too big and low in your pelvis. As they grow, they run out of room & you can't even see the whole baby at once. They stop looking cute and baby-like, and just look squished.

hurricanelydiaa · April 2012

My last ultrasound was at 20 weeks for the anatomy scan. I won't have any more unless there is a cause for concern.

KatelynEA90 · April 2012

3rd trimester ultrasounds aren't standard practice. A lot of doctors won't do one unless its to make sure nothing is wrong.

My sister only had one ultrasounds her whole pregnancy, 20 weeks.

If you want another one, pay for another 4D.

easjer05 · April 2012

jennyann28:
What you should do is relax, and listen to your doctor. It is not normal to have u/s in the 3rd tri. Be thankful you don't need them. I've had 10 in the 3rd tri because I am high risk. I'd trade those u/s back to NOT have any complications. I'll also tell you that later 3rd tri u/s aren't very exciting anyway. Around 34 weeks, unless your baby is breech, you won't be able to see his/her face in 3D because they are too big and low in your pelvis. As they grow, they run out of room & you can't even see the whole baby at once. They stop looking cute and baby-like, and just look squished.

So true. Not that my practice uses 3D anyway, but they can't see as much. All of the pictures they've given me have been weird and mostly unrecognizable because of the size of things. And to be honest, they are uncomfortable as well - I can only lay back on my back for a few minutes before it gets really uncomfortable and hard to breathe.

Heather2256 · April 2012

I had my a/s at 21 weeks & that's it. My hospital offers free ones but only on Wednesdays. And unfortunately I work every dang Wednesday! Lol! I think if my doc all of a sudden mentioned doing an u/s I'd freak a little.

camillaandcarson · April 2012

No 3rd trim U/S sounds pretty normal. A friend's doctor did 3D U/S all throughout her pregnancy as a standard, but that isn't the norm.

overtonhayes · April 2012

Ok, I... I really, really don't want to be flamed here. No one feels worse about this sh*tty situation than me, trust me. You have no idea how many times I've cried myself to sleep over it, and felt like I've already failed this child before I've even had her.

I've only had 3 medical ultrasounds, and one (maybe you could say two) OB visit. Very long story short, our insurance company massively screwed us over and I STILL don't have an OB. We went to a local health department for my healthcare and paid out of pocket but they were so overbooked and had such limited availability that I could only get in one appointment, when I was 18 weeks. They found a cyst on the baby's brain and scheduled an appointment with a specialist for the a/s (hence 'maybe you could say two'), and thankfully everything checked out fine. But that's all I've had in terms of actual OB care. When I was about 8 weeks pregnant I went to the ER for stomach cramps and they did an ultrasound and determined everything was fine with the baby. When I was around 22 weeks we were involved in a wreck, so, again, another ER ultrasound, which also determined that the baby was fine. But that's been it.

I'm extremely nervous that time is ticking for me to get my GD test done and I still don't have an OB (we have Tricare for insurance, so we can't just choose one: we have to meet with someone on their time frame who will find me an OB on that OB's time frame). I'm worried that those ER ultrasounds that reassured me "everything is fine" don't mean "there's nothing wrong with your baby", they mean "your stomach cramps/the wreck hasn't affected the baby".

I've been calling up my PCM (the someone I have to meet with to find an OB) daily to see if there are any cancellations and I can come in sooner. I've been doing everything that I can. What do you think will happen in my case? Is it likely that I'm going to need to have more ultrasounds/be more closely monitored than most people? What will happen if I miss my GD test?

Pachita · April 2012

I had one at 20 weeks and I believe I'll get one last one at around 35. To see the baby's position (making sure he's not breech and everything looks good). Call your insurance if they can cover an u/s for the third trimester and if they do, then I would ask my Dr. to give me one.

jennyann28 · April 2012

overtonhayes:
Ok, I... I really, really don't want to be flamed here. No one feels worse about this sh*tty situation than me, trust me. You have no idea how many times I've cried myself to sleep over it, and felt like I've already failed this child before I've even had her.

Seriously? I don't know how you can post something like this and expect to not get flamed. What you have done is UNFATHOMABLY irresponsible. You've had 27 weeks to get your sh!t together. It is not your insurance company's fault or the OB's fault, it is your own. When I think about how I struggled to get pregnant for months, when there are people like you who play fast & loose with their baby's health makes me want to vomit. And this is me being nice here. Stop being so goddamn irresponsible, get in your car first thing tomorrow morning, and drive to the nearest OB and tell them that you've neglected your prenatal care for your entire pregnancy, and demand to be seen. Then spend the rest of your pregnancy getting care & educating yourself for your poor baby's sake!

stever · April 2012

My only 3rd tri u/s with DS was to check fluid levels when I was nearly 2 weeks overdue. If he hadn't been so late I wouldn't have had one.

Natali25 · April 2012

I want to vent about this as well... I love the fact that baby and I are healthy but the staff at my doc office told me I'd get one at 36wks. I asked about it last week and my doc said no because I'm healthy and insurance doesn't pay for healthy. If I had known that I would have begged my H more to get the 4d done. Blah! Hopefully only a few more days.

overtonhayes · April 2012

jennyann28:
Seriously? I don't know how you can post something like this and expect to not get flamed. What you have done is UNFATHOMABLY irresponsible. You've had 27 weeks to get your sh!t together. It is not your insurance company's fault or the OB's fault, it is your own. When I think about how I struggled to get pregnant for months, when there are people like you who play fast & loose with their baby's health makes me want to vomit. And this is me being nice here. Stop being so goddamn irresponsible, get in your car first thing tomorrow morning, and drive to the nearest OB and tell them that you've neglected your prenatal care for your entire pregnancy, and demand to be seen. Then spend the rest of your pregnancy getting care & educating yourself for your poor baby's sake!

Don't you think I have done ALL of those things? But guess what seeing an OB requires, whether it's on schedule or 'demanding to be seen'? Money. Up until three weeks ago, DH's income - our only income, since I legally cannot work - was $300 a month. Before tax. Stop to think for a minute about how on earth you can keep a roof over your head and food on your table for under $300/month, let alone pay for any health care. We saved for two months and started a credit card just to be able to have that one OB visit. Do you have any idea what it is like to be turned down by a goddamn health department because you can't meet their lowest fee schedule? We have already looked into getting help from things like Medicaid and local churches and family and friends, and none of those are available to us. I was even grateful for the wreck because sure, it only served to add to the $8000 I've already racked up in ER bills, but at least someone would check the baby was ok and we could worry about the cost of it later. And before you jump to say "ok, so your income changed three weeks ago, why haven't you got any care since then", the answer is because DH's entire first (and so far only) paycheck wasn't enough to cover our rent; moving expenses (we had to move so that he could find another job); expenses from the wreck; and groceries.

I thank God every night for this baby. This was not a planned pregnancy and I have friends who have struggled to get pregnant or have lost babies, which only serves to make me feel even worse that I have not been able to get regular health care for this child. I know that I am absolutely blessed to have a healthy baby. Your comment serves no purpose other than to make me feel even worse, congratulations. Don't you dare leap to assumptions about me when you don't know my situation, and no doubt don't care to.

sheilatakesabow · April 2012

Funny, I'm having a 3rd tri ultrasound tomorrow and have been WORRYING about it b/c I know that I wasn't supposed to have one and we're only doing it b/c the doc is concerned and wants to check on things. I'm just hoping that its just that the kid's sunny side up.

sstrom22 · April 2012

The only reason I got one in the third trimester is because I was measuring weeks behind... honestly you can't see too much once you're in the 3rd tri anyway because it's too squished in there. The standard 20 week is the best view you'll get anyway. Sorry to hear your 4D didn't get the pictures you wanted... I can see why you'd be disappointed.

Not that it helps, but I honestly was really uncomfortable during that third tri u/s... I had to keep turning on my side because I was getting light headed laying flat on my back.

Like PPs have said, go for another 4D if it's really something you want.

0ashley · April 2012

overtonhayes:

jennyann28:
Seriously? I don't know how you can post something like this and expect to not get flamed. What you have done is UNFATHOMABLY irresponsible. You've had 27 weeks to get your sh!t together. It is not your insurance company's fault or the OB's fault, it is your own. When I think about how I struggled to get pregnant for months, when there are people like you who play fast & loose with their baby's health makes me want to vomit. And this is me being nice here. Stop being so goddamn irresponsible, get in your car first thing tomorrow morning, and drive to the nearest OB and tell them that you've neglected your prenatal care for your entire pregnancy, and demand to be seen. Then spend the rest of your pregnancy getting care & educating yourself for your poor baby's sake!

Don't you think I have done ALL of those things? But guess what seeing an OB requires, whether it's on schedule or 'demanding to be seen'? Money. Up until three weeks ago, DH's income - our only income, since I legally cannot work - was $300 a month. Before tax. Stop to think for a minute about how on earth you can keep a roof over your head and food on your table for under $300/month, let alone pay for any health care. We saved for two months and started a credit card just to be able to have that one OB visit. Do you have any idea what it is like to be turned down by a goddamn health department because you can't meet their lowest fee schedule? We have already looked into getting help from things like Medicaid and local churches and family and friends, and none of those are available to us. I was even grateful for the wreck because sure, it only served to add to the $8000 I've already racked up in ER bills, but at least someone would check the baby was ok and we could worry about the cost of it later. And before you jump to say "ok, so your income changed three weeks ago, why haven't you got any care since then", the answer is because DH's entire first (and so far only) paycheck wasn't enough to cover our rent; moving expenses (we had to move so that he could find another job); expenses from the wreck; and groceries.

I thank God every night for this baby. This was not a planned pregnancy and I have friends who have struggled to get pregnant or have lost babies, which only serves to make me feel even worse that I have not been able to get regular health care for this child. I know that I am absolutely blessed to have a healthy baby. Your comment serves no purpose other than to make me feel even worse, congratulations. Don't you dare leap to assumptions about me when you don't know my situation, and no doubt don't care to.

I honestly don't understand how you don't qualify for Medicaid. My husband and I both work full time for decent wages and even we qualify for Medicaid while I'm pregnant. We are not rich, but we are well above poverty levels. From what you've described, your family would be below poverty levels. They raise the income guidelines during pregnancy for this very reason- so everyone can get the care they need for their unborn children. I think you should reapply and make sure they understand that you are pregnant and need medical care. Most OB offices should be able to help you with this process and many pregnant mothers need to enroll in Medicaid. Many will even see you with "pending Medicaid" as your only insurance.

amoerizzle · April 2012

overtonhayes:
jennyann28:
Seriously? I don't know how you can post something like this and expect to not get flamed. What you have done is UNFATHOMABLY irresponsible. You've had 27 weeks to get your sh!t together. It is not your insurance company's fault or the OB's fault, it is your own. When I think about how I struggled to get pregnant for months, when there are people like you who play fast & loose with their baby's health makes me want to vomit. And this is me being nice here. Stop being so goddamn irresponsible, get in your car first thing tomorrow morning, and drive to the nearest OB and tell them that you've neglected your prenatal care for your entire pregnancy, and demand to be seen. Then spend the rest of your pregnancy getting care & educating yourself for your poor baby's sake!
Don't you think I have done ALL of those things? But guess what seeing an OB requires, whether it's on schedule or 'demanding to be seen'? Money. Up until three weeks ago, DH's income - our only income, since I legally cannot work - was $300 a month. Before tax. Stop to think for a minute about how on earth you can keep a roof over your head and food on your table for under $300/month, let alone pay for any health care. We saved for two months and started a credit card just to be able to have that one OB visit. Do you have any idea what it is like to be turned down by a goddamn health department because you can't meet their lowest fee schedule? We have already looked into getting help from things like Medicaid and local churches and family and friends, and none of those are available to us. I was even grateful for the wreck because sure, it only served to add to the $8000 I've already racked up in ER bills, but at least someone would check the baby was ok and we could worry about the cost of it later. And before you jump to say "ok, so your income changed three weeks ago, why haven't you got any care since then", the answer is because DH's entire first (and so far only) paycheck wasn't enough to cover our rent; moving expenses (we had to move so that he could find another job); expenses from the wreck; and groceries.
I thank God every night for this baby. This was not a planned pregnancy and I have friends who have struggled to get pregnant or have lost babies, which only serves to make me feel even worse that I have not been able to get regular health care for this child. I know that I am absolutely blessed to have a healthy baby. Your comment serves no purpose other than to make me feel even worse, congratulations. Don't you dare leap to assumptions about me when you don't know my situation, and no doubt don't care to.

This sounds like a lot of BS to me. First off, you say you have Tricare. Tricare covers 100% of pregnancy care. Also, to have Tricare, you have to have an affiliation with the military. I'm assuming your husband is military, as he is your income and there is no way that he is only making 300/month.

Try again?

Gismo123 · April 2012

amoerizzle:
overtonhayes:
jennyann28:
Seriously? I don't know how you can post something like this and expect to not get flamed. What you have done is UNFATHOMABLY irresponsible. You've had 27 weeks to get your sh!t together. It is not your insurance company's fault or the OB's fault, it is your own. When I think about how I struggled to get pregnant for months, when there are people like you who play fast & loose with their baby's health makes me want to vomit. And this is me being nice here. Stop being so goddamn irresponsible, get in your car first thing tomorrow morning, and drive to the nearest OB and tell them that you've neglected your prenatal care for your entire pregnancy, and demand to be seen. Then spend the rest of your pregnancy getting care & educating yourself for your poor baby's sake!
Don't you think I have done ALL of those things? But guess what seeing an OB requires, whether it's on schedule or 'demanding to be seen'? Money. Up until three weeks ago, DH's income - our only income, since I legally cannot work - was $300 a month. Before tax. Stop to think for a minute about how on earth you can keep a roof over your head and food on your table for under $300/month, let alone pay for any health care. We saved for two months and started a credit card just to be able to have that one OB visit. Do you have any idea what it is like to be turned down by a goddamn health department because you can't meet their lowest fee schedule? We have already looked into getting help from things like Medicaid and local churches and family and friends, and none of those are available to us. I was even grateful for the wreck because sure, it only served to add to the $8000 I've already racked up in ER bills, but at least someone would check the baby was ok and we could worry about the cost of it later. And before you jump to say "ok, so your income changed three weeks ago, why haven't you got any care since then", the answer is because DH's entire first (and so far only) paycheck wasn't enough to cover our rent; moving expenses (we had to move so that he could find another job); expenses from the wreck; and groceries.
I thank God every night for this baby. This was not a planned pregnancy and I have friends who have struggled to get pregnant or have lost babies, which only serves to make me feel even worse that I have not been able to get regular health care for this child. I know that I am absolutely blessed to have a healthy baby. Your comment serves no purpose other than to make me feel even worse, congratulations. Don't you dare leap to assumptions about me when you don't know my situation, and no doubt don't care to.
This sounds like a lot of BS to me. First off, you say you have Tricare. Tricare covers 100% of pregnancy care. Also, to have Tricare, you have to have an affiliation with the military. I'm assuming your husband is military, as he is your income and there is no way that he is only making 300/month.
Try again?

This! If you have Tricare there is NO excuse why you can't get care! And if your DH is Military there is no way in hell he is only bringing in $300 a month...we get that just for BAS!

Crispity · April 2012

hijoi:
kitchencolors:
theresat858:

Be glad you don't have any pregnancy complications warranting later ultrasounds.

AMEN. Good advice for anyone who wants lots of ultrasounds.

Yep. Must suck to not be high risk, and have an easy, complication free pregnancy.

This! I would be THRILLED not to be having any more ultrasounds. But then, I must be one of the only people that really hates them - they make me super anxious. I've had very bad news delivered by ultrasound with a previous loss, and I'm having some complications this time around. I'm afraid every time that they are going to find something wrong (or for this pregnancy, something else wrong besides what I already know). Count your blessings, and pay for a 4D if you want to see LO again.

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