Stubborn doc

skp54 · December 2012

I am just curious if anyone else has come a cross an OB who refuses to do an ultrasound until 20 weeks? He told me it was not medically necessary until then. I am 9 wks and 4 days, healthy, normal weight, exercise 5 days a week preprego and have had no troubling signs of pregnancy...just the normal sore boobs, indigestion, fatigue, and here and there nausea...however I still wish I could just SEE that everything is ok in there....so frustrated about it : my sis is 12 weeks preg and has a diff OB and has had two ultrasounds already, which doesn't help matters!

megaboosmom · December 2012

That's very common.

hqinmd · December 2012

That's common. Some insurance companies only cover the 20 week US. Your doctor is right that it isn't medically necessary. It's just something we want, lol.

My mom told me she never had a US with me.

anvloveskme · December 2012

It varies from practice to practice.

gscoville · December 2012

20 weeks is standard for a first ultrasound when a pregnancy is healthy with no risks/complications.

skp54 · December 2012

Ok thanks! I guess I'm just antsy and comparing my situation to my sisters. I just need to calm down lol

hqinmd · December 2012

somebodysmama21:
I can relate I kind of wanted to say I didn't know my dates so that I could get an early u/s but I know that it is not smart to do that. It is a wise and not stubborn doctor who won't hand out u/s like candy. In fact if u/s were a routine part of first appts with no reason prior losses, infertility etc I would be leery of an office. A quick google search lets you know there are risk associated with u/s and they should be done sparingly. https://www.webmd.com/baby/features/prenatalportraitsdarlingdangerous

I think there is a big difference between someone undergoing an US for dating and viability, which is what the midwife ordered for me at 6w5d, first pregnancy with no loss history, and someone going for random USs for no reason other than they want to see the unborn baby sucking his thumb.

And I disagree that a practice that typically does dating and viability US early on is inherently irresponsible.

plunderb · December 2012

That's pretty routine.

Though it seems a little unusual that your OB hasn't offered you an NT scan. That's a common diagnostic test done at about 12 weeks to check for chromosomal disorders (it includes an ultrasound and a blood test). Lots of people refuse it because they don't want the results, but if you are desperate for an ultrasound, you might look into it just to see the baby.

andthatmakes4 · December 2012

Mine only does the 20 week US also. It's hard when we see so many people getting one now. Many of those are for valid reasons so I'm glad they're able to. I would like to see mine also. With my first pregnancy, I was being seen for infertility so I got the early sonogram. With this one, not so much. That early one is so reassuring!

Missuskeekers · December 2012

plunderb:
That's pretty routine.
Though it seems a little unusual that your OB hasn't offered you an NT scan. That's a common diagnostic test done at about 12 weeks to check for chromosomal disorders (it includes an ultrasound and a blood test). Lots of people refuse it because they don't want the results, but if you are desperate for an ultrasound, you might look into it just to see the baby.

they are really not necescary unless you are over 35 or have other risk factors. Where I am from you cant get one unless you meet those requirements.

plunderb · December 2012

Missuskeekers:
plunderb:
That's pretty routine.
Though it seems a little unusual that your OB hasn't offered you an NT scan. That's a common diagnostic test done at about 12 weeks to check for chromosomal disorders (it includes an ultrasound and a blood test). Lots of people refuse it because they don't want the results, but if you are desperate for an ultrasound, you might look into it just to see the baby.

they are really not necescary unless you are over 35 or have other risk factors. Where I am from you cant get one unless you meet those requirements.

I got one routine (and covered by insurance) at 26. Glad I did ? they found a grapefruit-sized cyst on my ovary and monitored it closely for the rest of the pregnancy.

nicababy · December 2012

Where I live/work we do NT scans and they are available to anyone who chooses to have them, not only if you're over 35. While your risk is higher if you're 35 or older, we see lots of younger patients with positive results. That being said, if you lived somewhere with limited resources I can see why they might only offer NT scans to higher risk patients.

skittles230 · December 2012

The only reason I got an 8 week ultrasound is so that my midwife could confirm fetal development, since my uterus is tilted and she couldn't feel my uterus size. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had one until 20 weeks either. So, I think it's pretty standard practice these days to wait it out. Besides, like others have said minimizing ultrasounds is a good thing in the long run! Those weeks may crawl by until your ultrasound, but in the long run, it'll seem silly and insignificant that you didn't get the 8 week ultrasound.

Romulanale07 · December 2012

As frustrating as it is apparently it is not uncommon. I was very frustrated with my doctor because they won't even see me until 8 weeks and won't do an ultrasound until 12 weeks. My girlfriend had her first ultrasound at 6 weeks however she did not know when her last period was. I of course knew EXACTLY how far along I was:) My doctor did say that there is really nothing they can 'tell' until 12 weeks. I too was very nervous (and still am) because you want to know if everything is in the right spot and working properly! I think you just have to pay attention to your body. It will tell you if something is not right. I am not sure how far along you are, but I was a hot mess at 5 weeks, thinking too much and freaking myself out. I am 8 weeks now and have calmed down a bit. I spoke with my grandmother whom gave birth in the 50s and she said they didn't even do ultrasounds for her! Could you imagine?!! I still don't know if I could wait for 20 weeks! Maybe you could try another doctor and then go back? That's what I have done this far. I went in at 6 weeks to a different doctor to get an exam and blood tests. It gave me peace of mind when they assured me I am indeed pregnant and everything looked good! Take care.

cinderin · December 2012

hqinmd:
somebodysmama21:
I can relate I kind of wanted to say I didn't know my dates so that I could get an early u/s but I know that it is not smart to do that. It is a wise and not stubborn doctor who won't hand out u/s like candy. In fact if u/s were a routine part of first appts with no reason prior losses, infertility etc I would be leery of an office. A quick google search lets you know there are risk associated with u/s and they should be done sparingly. https://www.webmd.com/baby/features/prenatalportraitsdarlingdangerous
I think there is a big difference between someone undergoing an US for dating and viability, which is what the midwife ordered for me at 6w5d, first pregnancy with no loss history, and someone going for random USs for no reason other than they want to see the unborn baby sucking his thumb. And I disagree that a practice that typically does dating and viability US early on is inherently irresponsible.

My OB does an U/S on your first visit for dating. They will not see you until after 9 weeks, so I will be 10 weeks when I go in for my first appointment.

It is not "irresponsible". That is just plain silly.

That said, my mom had *no* U/S with me, they weren't really done then (I am 31). So clearly, it is possible to have a healthy PG and baby without an U/S. Women have been having children for thousands of years.

rissa06 · December 2012

Missuskeekers:
plunderb:
That's pretty routine.
Though it seems a little unusual that your OB hasn't offered you an NT scan. That's a common diagnostic test done at about 12 weeks to check for chromosomal disorders (it includes an ultrasound and a blood test). Lots of people refuse it because they don't want the results, but if you are desperate for an ultrasound, you might look into it just to see the baby.
 
they are really not necescary unless you are over 35 or have other risk factors. Where I am from you cant get one unless you meet those requirements. 

Thats not true. For over 35, they look at having an amimo and not an NT scan. The NT scan does look at the odds of having those risk factors that can happen at any age. It looks at spinal bifida and others. My friend who is under 35, had that scan with blood test to show that her third child has spinal bifida and they do not have a family history of it.

MommyAmes2 · December 2012

My OB does an early ultrasound then one at 20 weeks. I had tons of them with my daughter. She always was so behind on size, so they were concerned and kept an eye on her. She was born at 38 weeks and weighed only 5 lbs 3oz. With my son I had 3.

wilsontl19191 · December 2012

plunderb:
That's pretty routine.
Though it seems a little unusual that your OB hasn't offered you an NT scan. That's a common diagnostic test done at about 12 weeks to check for chromosomal disorders (it includes an ultrasound and a blood test). Lots of people refuse it because they don't want the results, but if you are desperate for an ultrasound, you might look into it just to see the baby.

This!

tokenhoser · December 2012

Standard care here is just the 20 week scan, with the optional NT at 11-13 weeks. I do the NT, so I get one in January. Really, though, the doppler starts being an option at about the same point.

I am a fan of not having an u/s every appointment. That seems a bit over the top to me, but seems normal for some Bumpies.

Peridot0812 · December 2012

My OB routinely does a dating u/s between 7 and 10 weeks, offers the NT scan, and does an anatomy scan at 20 weeks.

ETA that I am 32 and my mom did not have any ultrasounds during her pregnancy. She was also surprised with twins.

atoz625 · December 2012

The only reference I have is my OB- they do a 10 week ultrasound, send you for the optional 13 week US, and the scheduled 20 week anatomy scan (both are off site, at the women's center). Other than that, the only other office US is at 35 weeks.

This means I should end up with 4 over the pregnancy.

wifeyvana · December 2012

somebodysmama21:
It is a wise and not stubborn doctor who won't hand out u/s like candy. In fact if u/s were a routine part of first appts with no reason (prior losses, infertility etc) I would be leery of an office. A quick google search lets you know there are risk associated with u/s and they should be done sparingly. https://www.webmd.com/baby/features/prenatal-portraits-darling-dangerous

This. Hang in there mama, you'll be able to hear the heartbeat soon

kahlan82 · December 2012

I had an u/s at 7 weeks. That is what my doctor's office does. I am not high risk in anyway. I am also scheduled to have one at 12 weeks, again standard practice for my office and covered by my insurance. While it is not medically necessary, it did make me feel a WHOLE lot better to see that little heartbeat. What it comes down to is not whose doctor does what for what reason. Do YOU want an u/s before 20 weeks to feel better about your child's development? If you do, talk to your doctor about what you want or get another doctor. It is okay to shop around to get a doctor that will use their medical judgement and keep your personal needs/preference in mind.

cortneyloo · December 2012

My doc does the first ultrasound around 7 to 10 weeks for dating purposes and to check that positioning is ok, then the anatomy scan is at 20 weeks. I was under the assumption that was pretty normal, at least for many practices around here it is.

MagPie 1986 · December 2012

hqinmd:
I think there is a big difference between someone undergoing an US for dating and viability, which is what the midwife ordered for me at 6w5d, first pregnancy with no loss history, and someone going for random USs for no reason other than they want to see the unborn baby sucking his thumb.
And I disagree that a practice that typically does dating and viability US early on is inherently irresponsible.

**vent from someone in the medical field**

this. it really bothers me when people try to say it's "irresponsible" for OBs to do things when they have absolutely no understanding of what goes on in the medical world. they think Dr. Google is the equivalent to a medical degree. OBs have some of the highest malpractice rates in this country and there are more things to note than dates.

**vent over**

Missuskeekers · December 2012

tokenhoser:
Standard care here is just the 20 week scan, with the optional NT at 11-13 weeks. I do the NT, so I get one in January. Really, though, the doppler starts being an option at about the same point.
I am a fan of not having an u/s every appointment. That seems a bit over the top to me, but seems normal for some Bumpies.

Token! i can't remember where you are from in Canada. I'm from Vancouver and literally can not get one even though I've had at least 2 genetic losses.

mommadlo · December 2012

skp54:
I am just curious if anyone else has come a cross an OB who refuses to do an ultrasound until 20 weeks? He told me it was not medically necessary until then. I am 9 wks and 4 days, healthy, normal weight, exercise 5 days a week preprego and have had no troubling signs of pregnancy...just the normal sore boobs, indigestion, fatigue, and here and there nausea...however I still wish I could just SEE that everything is ok in there....so frustrated about it : my sis is 12 weeks preg and has a diff OB and has had two ultrasounds already, which doesn't help matters!

I just posted a similar thread and should have kept scrolling to find yours glad I'm not the only one. Reading your responses has helped me come to terms with the situation. Thanks and good luck

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