When can I expect another ultrasound?

Pixelkitty · September 2013

Haven't had an ultrasound since my anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I'm 28 weeks now and anxious to see the little guy again. When do you start getting ultrasounds again usually?

jnsmith85 · September 2013

Usually you don't unless it's medically necessary. why didn't you ask your doctor?

StayingSecret · September 2013

My OB is doing one at 36 weeks, but that's not typical. Normally you don't get one unless there are issues. In my case, they're slightly concerned about growth.

lmcgt · September 2013

If interested in doing an elective 3d check groupon and living social if they are in or nearby your area. They have some pretty good specials. There is a place by me that does a 15 minute session with one sheet of photo prints and they only charge $39.

PrimRoseMama · September 2013

I don't unless there is a problem.

PrimRoseMama · September 2013

jnsmith85 said:
Usually you don't unless it's medically necessary. why didn't you ask your doctor?

Also, this. Serious, non-snarky, honest question: how in the world would we know what your individual practice/doc does? Call them!

WashingtonQueen · September 2013

Most people don't have another ultrasound. Unless there is a problem it's not necessary.

DreamDisney · September 2013

There are no more unless there's a problem

notkateanymore · September 2013

I'm having one around 34-36 weeks, but I don't think that's normal.

Arielle27 · September 2013

This is interesting to me actually because my doctor automatically schedules third tri scans. I had one at 32 weeks.

As my first baby was born in a different country and my second was high risk (and born early) this is my first 'normal' pregnancy experience in this country, so I thought third tri scans were standard...? Guess not!

ranaverde · September 2013

Usually it's only if there's a possible problem. I could get a couple more because I have fibroids, but those things are expensive, and my midwives don't think I actually need them, so I'm passing.

I'll see the actual baby soon enough!

flkong · September 2013

Arielle27 said:

This is interesting to me actually because my doctor automatically schedules third tri scans. I had one at 32 weeks. As my first baby was born in a different country and my second was high risk (and born early) this is my first 'normal' pregnancy experience in this country, so I thought third tri scans were standard...? Guess not!

They're not standard in the 3rd tri but like pp said, some docs do it to check growth or confirm position. OP, just pay for it and you won't have to wonder when. When will be when you schedule it.

TinysPhoenix · September 2013

I'm glad someone asked this, DH and I were talking about it the other night wondering if we would see the little man before birth. It's good to know that they are not common and so long as everything is fine we won't need another one.

Jmo30 · September 2013

I'm having one at 36 weeks so my Dr. Can get an idea of the size of the baby and positioning but that's it unless medically necessary.

Arielle27 · September 2013

fklang said:

Arielle27 said:

This is interesting to me actually because my doctor automatically schedules third tri scans. I had one at 32 weeks.

As my first baby was born in a different country and my second was high risk (and born early) this is my first 'normal' pregnancy experience in this country, so I thought third tri scans were standard...? Guess not!

They're not standard in the 3rd tri but like pp said, some docs do it to check growth or confirm position. OP, just pay for it and you won't have to wonder when. When will be when you schedule it.

Well apparently here they are standard. Or at least with my doctor they are. It wasn't done to confirm anything. Was planned from the beginning (my obgyn sent me to the same place in first tri and I was told I'd be going back two more times).

olga1311 · September 2013

my dr did an ultrasound at my 36 week appt but it was over so quick I didnt even had a chance to see anything. The purpose was to check the positioning of the baby and was over within 1.5 seconds. Definitely not standard in 99% of practices unless medical issue/high risk pregnancy

msronzio · September 2013

Arielle27 said:

Arielle27 said:

This is interesting to me actually because my doctor automatically schedules third tri scans. I had one at 32 weeks. As my first baby was born in a different country and my second was high risk (and born early) this is my first 'normal' pregnancy experience in this country, so I thought third tri scans were standard...? Guess not!

They're not standard in the 3rd tri but like pp said, some docs do it to check growth or confirm position. OP, just pay for it and you won't have to wonder when. When will be when you schedule it.
Well apparently here they are standard. Or at least with my doctor they are. It wasn't done to confirm anything. Was planned from the beginning (my obgyn sent me to the same place in first tri and I was told I'd be going back two more times).

Where is "here"

In my experience, 3 of the 4 of our U/S were optional but all were covered. One was first trimester screening for defects - optional. The second was for anatomy scan - mandatory. Third was for the third trimester screening, screens fluid level - optional. The fourth was because I am super tiny and the OB wanted to make sure LO was growing on track. So I guess that one was mandatory, but I could have always declined. U/S are fairly elective. If the pregnancy is going well, there's no cause for alarm, you're not having weird symptoms etc. (I had a few) then be happy LO is healthy.

For an elective 3d or 4d U/S, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $400. A PP suggested Groupon if you want a cheaper alternative of seeing LO again before birth.

ajbook · September 2013

Anatomy scan was my only medical ultrasound. DH and I went for an elective to confirm gender after I started having odd dreams around 30-some weeks.

Cerafina991 · September 2013

It depends on the practice. My office gives a growth ultra ultrasound to all their patients around 34 weeks to determine the size and position of the baby as well as amniotic fluid level.

AlwaysForgetful · September 2013

Depends on the OB. Some do not do any past 20 weeks and some will around 36ish weeks (sometimes sooner) to see growth of baby and also to see what position they are in.

I have had several in the 3rd Trimester but that was because I am measuring larger. I was measuring 40 weeks around 33 weeks along. Baby only measured 1 weeks ahead then. Now baby is weighing in at 7lbs 1oz and just shy of 36 weeks. That actually could be accurate since I do have larger kids. Last was 9lbs 2oz.

AshleyF1234 · September 2013

Probably best to ask your Dr's office. My last one was at 20 weeks, but my Dr has me scheduled for another one at 30 weeks... to check growth. I have no idea if this is standard, but at my last appt, my Dr didn't indicate it was anything other than routine.

As for it being optional...I am sure I could opt out of it, but it is included in the total cost (Dr's portion) of my delivery. Their 'optional' sonograms are around $50.00 extra.

AppleMuffins · September 2013

As everyone says, it depends on the office. Mine schedules everyone for a scan around 34 weeks to check growth, placenta, fluid, etc. I didn't even know I had an u/s that day until they were pulling me in back (I kept forgetting to ask). There wasn't really anything to see though. Baby was down in my pelvis so we couldn't get a nice view of her face, just her big head, and now that she's so big and cramped in there I couldn't really make out anything that was on the screen. They couldn't even double check the sex because her butt was too buried in my ribs and she wasn't budging for anything!

slh6363 · September 2013

34 weeks to check growth etc....everywhere is different though.

Arielle27 · September 2013

msronzio said:

Arielle27 said:

Arielle27 said:

This is interesting to me actually because my doctor automatically schedules third tri scans. I had one at 32 weeks. As my first baby was born in a different country and my second was high risk (and born early) this is my first 'normal' pregnancy experience in this country, so I thought third tri scans were standard...? Guess not!

They're not standard in the 3rd tri but like pp said, some docs do it to check growth or confirm position. OP, just pay for it and you won't have to wonder when. When will be when you schedule it.
Well apparently here they are standard. Or at least with my doctor they are. It wasn't done to confirm anything. Was planned from the beginning (my obgyn sent me to the same place in first tri and I was told I'd be going back two more times).

Where is "here"

In my experience, 3 of the 4 of our U/S were optional but all were covered. One was first trimester screening for defects - optional. The second was for anatomy scan - mandatory. Third was for the third trimester screening, screens fluid level - optional. The fourth was because I am super tiny and the OB wanted to make sure LO was growing on track. So I guess that one was mandatory, but I could have always declined. U/S are fairly elective. If the pregnancy is going well, there's no cause for alarm, you're not having weird symptoms etc. (I had a few) then be happy LO is healthy.

For an elective 3d or 4d U/S, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $400. A PP suggested Groupon if you want a cheaper alternative of seeing LO again before birth.

Sorry if I was unclear... I guess I'm not sure! 'Here' being either at my doctor's practice or in California? Again, every pregnancy has been different (and taken place in different countries) so I cannot say. I just know I wasn't technically given a choice by my doctor. She just said to schedule the appointments... I assumed it was normal.

hollowway · September 2013

I will be getting one at 32 weeks (next week) to check growth and position, but it's only because I am high risk and have a bicornuate uterus. If I didn't have a f*cked up ute, I wouldn't be getting another and would have to either pay out of pocket or wait til she is born.

Some practices, not all, do them around 36 weeks just to make sure LO is head down. I would ask your OB/MW.

CarolinaGirl411 · September 2013

I had one at 31 weeks, but that was to check on the placenta since there was concern at our a/s at 20 weeks. If all goes well, the next time we see our LO will be the day of.

csspencer · September 2013

If I go over due, I'll have one every 3-4 days to check fluid levels and placenta. Otherwise, after the anatomy scan (and follow up anatomy scan because they couldn't get a good view of everything) I wouldn't have had any medically necessary u/s. We did schedule an elective around 30 weeks.

MargaretC5 · September 2013

I just had one at 35 weeks to verify my LO was head down. The doctor tried to check by feeling the bump first, but when she was not sure I got an US. It was hard to make out anything on the US by that point. I could see the head was round, that was about it. The US tech did a gender verification for us also, since she had time, but we just had to trust her on that one, neither my DH or I could make out what body parts she was pointing to.
Even is your doctor does do a growth or position check, if you want to see your baby again just for fun I would schedule an elective US before he gets too big.

2010weddinggal · September 2013

BTW, not to sound like a prude, I have an ultrasound every month sometimes two because I'm high risk. At first I was super excited to have so many and now I'm more like ok lets get on with it. It is so cool too see the baby do not get me wrong but with an ultrasound it is really hard to tell how much change has happened when you have them so often. I say what other poster's have said go find a cheap 3d/4d place and get some 3/d ones you see better detail, plus they give you a goody bag

SKL924 · September 2013

I recieved one at 20 weeks and then again at 35 weeks! Other doctors may be different, but if you ask they will tell you! Once i hit my first weekly visit they scheduled my sono!

TLRachelle · September 2013

I'm about to have my 5th ultrasound and my baby has been perfectly healthy the whole pregnancy and so have I. I guess it just depends on your practice/doctor. I had one at 8 wks (confirmation), 12 wks (checking for twins), 18wks (anatomy), 31 wks (moving long distance) and now at 38 wks (growth check). I would check your insurance company for the rules on what it covers. I have had two different insurance companies and the rules are different for both. First one would cover anything the doctor ordered 100% as long as the doctor said it was necessary. Second one has certain limits. This one will be fine b/c I haven't ordered any ultrasounds on this insurance yet. But I had to check - they can be expensive.

leahaustin · September 2013

A lot of this depends on your insurance but doctors do not usually do them after 20weeks unless you are high risk. I have not had once since 20weeks and my OB just said that if I don't give birth by next week Thursday (40weeks 3days) then they will schedule an u/s and NST.

naorwick · September 2013

After my anatomy scan, I didn't get another ultrasound until 34 weeks. I'm 37w 2d now and I'm not scheduled to have any more...just cervical checks every week at this point.

MamaKoria · September 2013

You usually don't unless there's a problem.

little_bren · September 2013

My MW said that I may have one for a growth check. If I do, I will probably ask "it's still a girl, right??" (my fear... closet full of girl clothes)

TinysPhoenix · September 2013

I just had my 28 week check up and was ordered ultrasounds for asap, week 32 and week 36. My OB wants to check for growth and how the baby positioned.

PrimRoseMama · September 2013

PrimRoseMama said:

jnsmith85 said:
Usually you don't unless it's medically necessary. why didn't you ask your doctor?
Also, this. Serious, non-snarky, honest question: how in the world would we know what your individual practice/doc does? Call them!

@4musketeers : please remove your flag. Nothing I posted was a violation of TOS. The flag button is not a dislike button. You can reverse your flag by loving my post. Repeat abuse of the flag feature can get you banned, FYI.

kennazebrowsky · September 2013

How should we know.
Ask your OB. Every practice is different. I had frequent ultrasounds because I was high risk. Others may only get one.

Amandysergio · September 2013

It all depends on your doctor/practice, as some ladies have mentioned. I got a lot because I'm high risk, and I've been going weekly since 34 weeks for an ultrasound. Like a PP mentioned, it seems exciting at first (and it's always nice to see baby) but once you go so often, it's like "OK, let's get this over with." It's hard to see anything at that point. Everything is smooshed/too big. I did get a nice shot of her goods at 34 weeks which was definitely a relief, lol... I did do a 3d/4d ultrasound at 27 weeks and enjoyed the experience (even though baby was stubborn) and I did get a diaper bag, formula, bottles and a TON of coupons as part of the package (didn't know about that) So it might be something you'd be interested in

meabtahi · September 2013

I have one this week but only because I am at risk for placenta previa due to my 20 week scan and they need to make sure the placenta has cleared the cervix before I get any further along. If it wasn't for that I don't think I would have another one at all unless a complication came up.

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