Doctor ordering second anatomy ultrasound-could something be wrong?

abby8706 · January 2014

Hi ladies!

I previously had the anatomy ultrasound at about 18 weeks and the ultrasound tech said everything looked fine. When I went to the doctor for my regular appointment this week, my doctor said he would like to do another ultrasound because he was not able to see everything he needed to. He told me not to worry but of course, I am worrying that something might be wrong. I did the quad screen and nothing showed up on there as an abnormality. Has anyone else's doctor ordered a second anatomy ultrasound? I will be 26 weeks when they do the second ultrasound.

Thanks in advance for any information you may have!

food_chick · January 2014

I haven't had any first hand experience, however, I think if the doctor saw something off he would say so. They really do need to make sure they get every angle and shot they need, they might have just missed some or didn't get clear enough pictures. My u/s tech told me she thought she got all the necessary shots but if they missed something they would let me know and I'd have to come back.

StinaLeigh · January 2014

I had my scan yesterday and the baby was fairly uncooperative. We were in there an hour but they didn't get good heart or brain measurements because of baby's position, so we are going back in a few weeks. Probably just something like this for you too. I bet they would have told you if it was something of concern.

Bekkahjo4Wed55199 · January 2014

I had to have a repeat ultrasound also at 24 weeks because they said they didn't get a good angle on the heart and spine. I had it last week I am now 25 weeks, and everything was fine! just a busy baby that day so they couldn't get good enough pictures!! im sure all is fine! otherwise I think they would of said something!!!

yvanehtnioj · January 2014

I definitely think you can take your doctor's word for it: he didn't see everything he needed to.

cMichelle0423 · January 2014

From experience, if something seemed wrong, I think they would tell you. For the sole fact of not worrying you by keeping it a mystery. My son measured small my whole PG and when they did my anatomy scan, I was referred to a specialist and they told me that is was because of how he was measuring.

RachelCA29 · January 2014

I have to go back next week (I'll be 23 weeks) because they didn't get all the shots of the heart they like to see. My doctor isn't concerned (I went for my first at 19 weeks and she said there was no rush to get me back over the holidays) but for completeness she wanted all the pictures that are normally taken.

I think it's common to not get everything if your baby is moving a lot (which my Lemon was), and especially since your doctor said he isn't concerned, there should be nothing to worry about. If he was actually worried he would have told you the issue and there would be a rush to get you back ASAP.

It's nice to get another chance to see your little one again!

lorist202 · January 2014

I'm considered high risk, and had a level II u/s that would be read not by my ob, but by a specialist. It was conducted in the ob office, although beforehand the tech told me that these type of u/s are often done by a separate office bc the office techs can't always get the proper visuals. I didn't ask if is due to their equipment or otherwise. Anyway, she mentioned not to be alarmed or surprised if I have to go back in for a better look.

veetveet · January 2014

I have to go back... my baby was not cooperative and they could not get a good reading of his heart.

Lisa&Mark · January 2014

This is why my midwife refuses to sch the u/s even a day before 20 weeks...she says repeat u/s are more common if done before 20 weeks because there is a better chance of not getting all the necessary measurements. I am sure everything is fine or they would tell you (or should). Good luck!

EmR22 · January 2014

It sounds normal. The tech is trained to get the pics but not read them. It sounds like perhaps the tech thought they got everything but once they have read it they needed more. It is fairly common if the baby is not cooperative or if more info is needed. I would hope that the doc would say something more specific if they are indeed focusing on a potential problem. Good luck!

kematzen · January 2014

Keep in mind how much the little peanuts change from week to week! We are at 20 weeks and have had 5 separate ultrasounds due to some early complications. It's been amazing to see how much changes in even a week! If your Dr. said it wasn't due to any extra concern, I'd chalk it up to making sure they get the proper 20 week measurements and get a good view of everything they can! I try to remind myself that we're paying good money to receive OB care, and we have every right to ask as many questions and demand your doctor be clear and informative when it comes to your care. When in doubt, ask and ask again!

ThereBeDragons · January 2014

I'm actually going back a third time in 4 weeks. First scan was too early and they only got 20% of the measurements they wanted. Went back yesterday and baby absolutely refused to show her face- she was curled up in a ball with her fists waving in front of her face for the entire scan.

So we go back for more face measurements and one extra brain measurement next month. But everything they saw was perfectly normal- they simply don't cut corners on this particular scan. One more chance to see baby makes me happy

NewMrsMacC · January 2014

Same exact thing happened to us. I went in for 20 week US at 18 weeks, Dr said we couldnt quite see the heart as well as we would like to because its still so tiny at 18 weeks. He assured me everything was perfect for as far along as I was, and that she looked right on perfect! He schedueld me to come back in 4 weeks (when I would be 22 weeks) to look at her heart, because he said that within that time- it would double in size! Neat!

So no worries, your little pea was just still super tiny and they may not have gotten to see the things they wanted to see, as well as they wanted to see them! Look at it as an extra chance to spy on baby in a few weeks!

MurderCakes · January 2014

I had an ultrasound around 18 weeks and the doc still scheduled the 20-ish weeks anatomy because they still needed to do all the measurements that are usually taken then. We had that yesterday, but baby girl was in a position where they couldn't see for a few of the measurements and wouldn't move to a different position even when we jiggled her, sooooo we're going back for a THIRD ultrasound in four weeks. I'm not worried, they just couldn't get the measurements they needed. As long as everything looks okay, it should be fine!

Luna C · January 2014

My OB warned me this happens a lot -- sometimes they just don't get as good a picture as they want. She advised me to wait until 20 weeks or so to make it more likely we only have to do it once.

abby8706 · January 2014

Thank you all for your input. It helps me put my mind at ease!

LegalLadyBug · January 2014

I have an u/s at every appt and the tech measures the kidneys, heart, etc. Sometimes she isn't able to get a clear picture of what she needs so she will go back at the end or will just write in her report to the OB that she wasn't able to get the shot. I don't think it's a big deal, it happens. Sometimes u/s pics aren't that clear and sometimes baby isn't cooperative.