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March 2014 Moms
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More Doctors Appointment Questions

lms1981lms1981 member
in March 2014 Moms
Ok so I called my doctors office and I will not be getting an ultrasound at my first appointment on Friday ... I'll be almost 7 weeks. I asked the nurse and she said in fact I will only get one ultrasound at 20 weeks. This seems like a lot less than I would think?? I'm pretty bummed.

I'm a first time mom, so pardon the million probably stupid questions I am going to ask :) ... How does the doctor then determine that the pregnancy is progressing adequately? How do I hear the heartbeat and when can I expect to hear it? Surely before 20 weeks? How do they confirm there's just one baby in there?

I just want to make sure I am getting adequate care to confirm that my pregnancy is progressing as it should. I see a lot of references to early ultrasounds and people measuring at X weeks and X days vs. how far along they thought they were. If I don't get an ultrasound how would I know any of this??
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Re: More Doctors Appointment Questions

  • NorBar39NorBar39 member
    I will not have my first ultra sound until 20 weeks as well. At my 8 week check up they did lab work, a pelvic exam, and the doctor said I "felt" pregnant because things were soft inside. At my 12 week they will listen to the heart beat and will do so at the 16 week check. So this is what happened to me too! I'm a ftm, too :)
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  • lms1981lms1981 member
    Glad I'm not alone! I really like my doctor, so I can't imagine switching, but I'm definitely bummed.

    Dumb question ... How do you hear the heartbeat without an ultrasound? Also how do they know your pregnancy is progressing normally? Off of your HCG levels?
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  • KariB509KariB509 member
    At each of your appointments your OB will feel for your uterus and measure it. They press your stomach, feel for the uterus and take a measuring tape from the top of your pelvic bone to the top of your uterus. This gives a pretty accurate measure of how far along you are. If you're measuring big, that would be an indication that there's twins or more. Also, around 10 weeks or so they will probably be able to hear the heartbeat via a Doppler. They did this at every appt for me.
    Hope that eases your mind a bit!
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  • NorBar39NorBar39 member
    I asked if they would check my hcg levels and they said they only do that if they think something is not normal . I was surprised, too!! They listen to the heart beat with a Doppler. The reason my doctor only does 1 us is because insurance only covers one and apparently frequent ultrasounds are not necessary unless your doctor feels you need one. So to answer your question...I guess I don't know 100% how my baby is doing. But the babe is making me puke constantly and my boobs are super sensitive. My faith helps me, too.
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  • KariB509KariB509 member
    Ps. Just in case you aren't sure what a Doppler is and how it works: it's basically a speaker with a cord attaching a handled "paddle." The dr will rub jelly in your belly and then rub the paddle on you. Then the heartbeat will sound through the speaker and they can tell you the beats per minute. :) kinda hard to describe it but a quick google search of Doppler heart rate monitor will give you an image.
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  • Shaq1009Shaq1009 member
    By Doppler usually by your 12 wk appt and then my dr checked it at every appt after that. If there is any concern you will definitely get one early things like: not measuring in pace with where your dr thinks you should be, a hard to find hb or unable to find hb, bleeding, or I'm sure other things. If you want an U/S earlier for entertainment/memory purposes you could always go to an elective u/s place. They aren't too expensive in my area and a lot of them say they can determine sex between 12-16weeks.
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  • lms1981lms1981 member
    NorBar39 said:

    I asked if they would check my hcg levels and they said they only do that if they think something is not normal . I was surprised, too!! They listen to the heart beat with a Doppler. The reason my doctor only does 1 us is because insurance only covers one and apparently frequent ultrasounds are not necessary unless your doctor feels you need one. So to answer your question...I guess I don't know 100% how my baby is doing. But the babe is making me puke constantly and my boobs are super sensitive. My faith helps me, too.

    I'm such a control freak, this is going to drive me insane! Plus I have pretty minor symptoms ... Crazy site boobs and super tired but that's it. I'm very thankful and know that could change any moment, but I feel like I need confirmation that the baby's in there and doing ok!
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  • lms1981lms1981 member
    Thanks ladies this is making me feel better. How often will I typically go to the doctor?
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  • KariB509KariB509 member
    lms1981 said:

    Thanks ladies this is making me feel better. How often will I typically go to the doctor?

    My doctor does one a month until 32 weeks, then more frequently after (I think weekly, I can't remember if weekly started at 32w or 36w). I think that's fairly common.

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  • lms1981lms1981 member
    TallAsh said:

    I have had early ultrasounds only bc of my history of losses.

    I know it's a bummer and that you're anxious, but it really is a blessing if you only need the 20-wk scan.

    Yes, I know! And as much as I want to see the baby all the time, I hope I don't need anymore than the normal because it means everything is going well!

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  • lwebleylwebley member
    Here's a post from earlier with some more info... Hope it helps :)

    https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12021922/not-having-an-early-ultrasound/p1
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  • lms1981lms1981 member
    lwebley said:

    Here's a post from earlier with some more info... Hope it helps :)

    https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12021922/not-having-an-early-ultrasound/p1

    Thanks! I always feel bad if I post something similar to something that was already posted. This board moves so fast and I only have a chance to look in the evening.

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  • BabiesFTWBabiesFTW member
    With my first I had an us at 12ish weeks because I did the first tri scan. Then one at 20. That would have been it but I had one more because they were afraid she was too small.
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  • SomersIslesSomersIsles member
    Have they not offered you an NT scan?  It's optional and you have to check with your insurance to see if they'll cover it, but I BELIEVE there's only a small window (like 11-13 weeks) where this test can take place... (correct me if I'm wrong). 

    That's the first ultrasound opportunity for a standard pregnancy (no spotting, miscarriage history, etc.). 

    I would inquire about this test at least. 
    httpmediaspotcoolstuffcomwp-contentuploads201212bonding-with-baby-humorjpg  http4bpblogspotcom_OHvEyRV8W28SBeOugvAtcIAAAAAAAAAj4TR0m3ZOnFXws20010285B15Djpg  httptommcmahontypepadcomphotosuncategorized20080126safebabygif

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