No ultrasound until 20 weeks?

AshleyL923 · February 2013

I have my first appt next week at 10 weeks and just learned that the only thing they do is try to find the heartbeat with the Doppler and my paperwork says they may be able to...but not certain?. The only ultrasound I get is at 20 weeks. Does that sound right to you guys?

mrm092 · February 2013

NO! Typically you have it at your 1st appt.

SweetPeaK26 · February 2013

Yes. Most don't do an ultrasound till 20 weeks unless they feel they NEED to.

blinnea23 · February 2013

Yep, same for me. Unless you do the NT scan its normal to wait until 20 weeks. A lot of girls gets dating scans if their cycles were not normal and some get multiple scan because of high risk problems or previous losses. My NP said its completely normal for a healthy person to only get on US. Each doctor is different though.

magdalina.h · February 2013

Yup that sounds normal.

NicknShan · February 2013

It is normal. The only way my dr. gives an us at 12 is with the NT Scan. Otherwise just one at 20 if all goes well. She said they use the Doppler at every appointment.

imeltice · February 2013

Yes, my first pregnancy I didn't even get a doppler until 12 weeks, and no ultrasounds until 20.

If you aren't high risk, know your due date, and haven't had any issues, there really isn't much reason to have an ultrasound before 20 weeks.

rab2006 · February 2013

I've heard it's more common to have no first tri us vs having one. It all depends on the doctor's office. For this pg and DD's, I got ultrasounds. With DD it was just office standard. For this time, I had a different doctor/clinic and I got one bc of a prior ectopic. Otherwise I would not have gotten one until 20 weeks.

cvl105 · February 2013

mrm092:
NO! Typically you have it at your 1st appt.

This is not true.

All Drs offices are different. It is quite common for low risk pregnancies to have the first (and sometimes only) ultrasound at 20 weeks. I do feel for those that have to wait so long...it's hard enough waiting for 10, 12, whenever it may be.

mnw0910 · February 2013

Most insurance companies only pay for 1. So it's common practice. I only got to have one done at 6 weeks because I had a m/c back in Oct. But at each regular appt they do use the doppler.

zanephoebe · February 2013

Yes, my doctor is the same way. You will have an earlier one if you decide to get the NT scan.

mmdd20 · February 2013

Lealyn2585:
My practice only does them for the anatomy scan. I only got an US at 7 weeks because I had a missed miscarriage over the summer and a CP in November.

This exactly. My practice only does the A/S. I had an early ultrasound because of a hisory of loss. We also opted for the NT scan so we will have another ultrasound next week. So yes, it is quite normal.

Chilko33 · February 2013

This is the exact same boat I am in too. I had a apt at 10 weeks and they could not hear the HB. Since my uterus is inverted they said this is normal. Then at my 12 week apt they could find the HB, which was wonderful to hear. Now just waiting for the 18-20 week ultrasound! Although I wish I could get an early ultrasound, I feel very blessed for the reasons why I do not. So i just have faith that all is well and I look forward to seeing a healthy baby in 6-8 weeks.

VitaLuna · February 2013

Very normal. The only reason my birth center does dating u/s (in office on a pathetic machine) is because they have very strict rules on how many weeks you can be "overdue" before having to go to the hospital for delivery, and they want to make sure all their dates are accurate.

michelle7482 · February 2013

I got the nt scan done today so this was my first u/s, otherwise 20 wks would have been my one and only. Btw, the dr was not able to find the HB at my 10 wk appt, so don't worry if they can't find it.

sarack · February 2013

it doesn't seem normal because your dates could be off... at least not normal to me. i was told most first appointments include an ultrasound for dating purposes.

kje120 · February 2013

It all depends on the OB practice. It's not unheard of to only have the anatomy scan.

CDMay2006 · February 2013

This is exactly the schedule i have. I could have had a dating ultrasound, but i'm sure of my dates, so I declined. Any additional ultrasounds would only be if complications arise.

carebear2802 · February 2013

I will be having ultrasounds at every appointment starting on March 6th which is when I will be 10 weeks. Check with your insurance the only reason why I'm getting so many is because of my insurance and they're covering 4D.

inthelost · February 2013

It sounds pretty normal to me. I did get a "dating ultrasound" at 5/6 weeks, but my next one won't be until 20 weeks

amu110902 · February 2013

My doctor does an ultrasound around 20 weeks and you don't get the Doppler until 12. We have an initial appointment at 8 weeks with the doctor's nurse to go over the basics and get family history. However, I had some early spotting and they did blood work and an ultrasound around 6 weeks. They assume that all is well and leave well enough alone unless there is reason to believe otherwise. Good luck!

loweco1 · February 2013

That does seem to be the norm... I am sorry you have to wait so long. I didn't realize how lucky I was to get one at my first appt at 7wks, and then I just got another at my 12wk (or almost 12 wks). I guess every state, every doctor, every insurance plan... I guess they are all so different. Best of luck that the time passes quickly for you!

athieme172 · February 2013

Oh that would make me crazy. I get one every appt. so far; however, I've been going to an RE for 3 years now and I'm finally pregnant (11wks4days w/ twins).

athieme172 · February 2013

AND....I can't remember how to change my ticker to the appropriate number of weeks pregnant. My first appt my babies measured only 6 wks bc I ovulated late so they pushed my due date back 1 week.

magdalina.h · February 2013

sarack:
it doesn't seem normal because your dates could be off... at least not normal to me. i was told most first appointments include an ultrasound for dating purposes.

That's how your OB works, mine does too, but a lot don't.

ammiddleton3 · February 2013

I had one at 9 weeks strictly for dating purposes. But my cycles are really weird and the doctor thought I was going to be earlier than what I thought! On my period tracker app, average for me was 35 days! But lucky for me I didn't have to move back and I only measured 1 day behind what I was=). Another plus, there is one room at the doctors office that has a little ultrasound machine, and if you're in that room they will give you a little peak! Hopefully I'll get lucky and get that room frequently! But I'll try to just not stress about it, and enjoy my pregnancy.

shakes · February 2013

mrm092:
NO! Typically you have it at your 1st appt.

Wrong. The majority of low risk pregnancies do not have an U/S until 20 weeks unless you opt for IPS testing at 12 weeks. My midwife wont even check for a heartbeat until 12-14 weeks. It's a bit hard some days when you want to know there is a heartbeat and things seem fine. If you have no idea when you conceived or have had a history of complications than an early U/S is often done. But no it's not typical at all to have an U/S before 12 weeks in most cases.

MissKrisFaye · February 2013

I had my first appointment yesterday. The dr did all the testing and were disappointed that we didn't have an ultrasound. My hubby came with me and asked about it because we a wanted to make sure something was in there and b wanted to know If I'm really 9 weeks. She said if we wanted we could set up a time to do it, so we are doing it next week! I would just ask your doctor if you could have one, the worst thing they can say is no.

mamasheridan · February 2013

yep thats how it is at my clinic unless you cant remember you last period Wink

AngelMommy11211 · February 2013

Very normal. Most don't do early ultrasounds unless necessary. The usual time is 20 weeks.

kelle017 · February 2013

I had one at 6 weeks 2 days because of losses, one at 8 weeks 2 days (the standard at a first appointment for the practice) and won't have another until 20 weeks.

crenteri · February 2013

Mine is not until mid April ! I am currently 12 weeks so yeah ill be about 20 weeks! So weird that I don't have to go back till April ! What If something happens from now to April ? Seems weird I have to wait that long!

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