Third Trimester Ultrasound

ClandestineX · February 2013

Is it normal procedure to have an ultrasound in the Third Trimester or do you have to have a special circumstance to get it? The last one I have had was when I was 22 weeks and everything was fine. Everything with my pregnancy is going fine so far, glucose was great, blood pressure is great, etc.

I am 33 weeks right now and go back in at the 35 week mark and would like to know if I am having a large baby or not, physically I look very small for how far along I am, but my Husband was a 12 lb baby and I would like to know in advance and prepare myself mentally for having an elephant child.

Also, I changed health insurance between the 22 week mark and now, so if this health insurance has a limit on ultrasounds, I haven't used it yet.

kmornelas29 · February 2013

I have my 3rd trimester ultrasound at 34 weeks, but I wouldn't say this is routine. Many OBs don't do another one after second trimester if you are not considered high risk.

I am not high risk but my doctor does do them routinely, which seems to not be the norm.

In addition, an ultrasound measurement of babies weight can be extremely off by 2 pounds either way and is not that accurate. So I wouldn't put such an emphasis on the ultrasound telling you that. It's proven to be inaccurate.

I would call and ask.

luvbug6315 · February 2013

I had one at 36 weeks but only because they thought baby was breach. My OB said they usually don't do them after the 20 week u/s if everything is going well!

Sporatygirl26 · February 2013

I had one at my 30 week but only because baby was measuring behind schedule. My OB doesn't typically do u/s unless something is wrong or.baby is measuring small or ahead by 2 weeks.

BabyMayinMarch · February 2013

Your doctor will send you for an ultrasound if they are concerned about anything. Also, late ultrasounds can be off by a pound.

Happy2BPregnant · February 2013

I am having one next week at 36 weeks but it's to check my placenta level (it was low at 20 weeks). I don't think it's common to have one in the third trimester.

ninambutler · February 2013

My OB only does ultrasounds after the anatomy scan if you are high risk. I get an ultrasound every week because my baby is IUGR. A lot of OB's are like this, but some will give you an ultrasound at the very end, like 36 or 37 weeks, to determine size, position, etc. If your baby was going to be that big, you would probably have a large fundal height measurement, and would be sent for an US regardless. Ask your OB at your 35 week appointment what the standard is at the practice because it really varies.

ETA: The insurance thing doesn't matter. Typically you have to have a reason to have an ultrasound for insurance to cover it. They don't just offer one per pregnancy or something. Your doctor has to write out a valid "prescription" for one.

carebear0605 · February 2013

Be glad if you don't have to have one for sure! I know it can be exciting to see your LO but the only reason for having one in your third tri would be of a concern the doc has. Never fun. It's also extremely uncomfortable to lay on your back that long(usually over 30 min to get all the pictures). I had one at 33 weeks and I could barely breathe!

Stacey209 · February 2013

I had one at 32.5 weeks but I am considered high risk. Because of my age, my doctor wanted to make sure the baby was growing at a good rate.

almachs0786 · February 2013

carebear0605:
Be glad if you don't have to have one for sure! I know it can be exciting to see your LO but the only reason for having one in your third tri would be of a concern the doc has. Never fun. It's also extremely uncomfortable to lay on your back that long(usually over 30 min to get all the pictures). I had one at 33 weeks and I could barely breathe!

Not true.. My doc (and other docs in the area that I know for sure) do late u/s's to estimate size.. Yes, it's true that the size can be off by about 1-2 #, but it at least gives a ball-park estimate.. It depends on your doc!!

shibby00 · February 2013

I will not be having another one unless a concern arises. The size estimates are notoriously wrong, FYI.

egb+jaf · February 2013

it depends on the dr. some wont do another after the anatomy scan unless there is a concern, others will do one later one routinely to get a ballpark estimate of size and to confirm baby's position.

it varies from dr to dr

CinPitt · February 2013

My Doc did a growth scan at 32 weeks but not all Doc are the same. I got another u/s at 34 weeks bc they were worried about my fluids. The office also had to call the insurance to get the ok bc the insurance only coverd 3.

rm2013 · February 2013

Its not true that you wont get a 3rd tri ultrasound if everything is normal. My OB's policy is all patients get an ultrasound at 3637 weeks to see baby's position and insurance covers this. I've had a textbook normal pregnancy and I still get one. I guess it's the OB's preference but I'm glad mine feels this way.

I had a good friend whose baby was frank breech and her OB never checked for position in the 3rd tri. She started labor but didnt progress. The OB was about to induce her in the hospital but she refused and asked for an ultrasound based on advice from a friendly nurse who pulled her aside. The OB tried to argue but my friend stood her ground. It was only then that they found how bad of a position the baby was in, and had to do an emergency c section.

Id much rather have a few weeks notice to try to get LO to turn instead of finding out when it's too late.

steph620 · February 2013

My OB does not do any past the anatomy scan unless there is an "issue". I just found out yesterday when she measured my fundal height that I had not really grown in the last 2 weeks so she ordered another ultrasound this week just to check for size.

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