is this normal?

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

This will be my first baby so im not sure what's normal but I'm 15 weeks today and haven't had an ultrasound yet? Is there any reason for this?

darvo · December 2014

Hey! I'm a FTM as well and my experience was that I got an ultrasound at 7 weeks and I'll get another at 18 weeks. The 18 week ultrasound is the anatomy scan, which will probably determine the gender. It took my husband and I a pretty long time to conceive, so by the time we did I had read a lot of pregnancy literature. The preparation has been really helpful. I've read What to Expect When You're Expecting cover to cover 3 times and I'm working on my 4th-- it's a great read! I'm glad that you're excited about your baby and seeking more information. Congrats!

angielayne926 · December 2014

Have you been to the Dr.? Did they offer the NT scan/genetic testing to you? If you declined, it's pretty standard to only have the anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks.

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

I've been to the doctors twice and have heard the heart beat and they did offer the genetic testing and told me I could give them my answer next time but by then I'll be almost 18 weeks im just frustrated that everyone else is finding out at around this time and a few through ultrasound

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

What's an nt scan?

delujm0 · December 2014

Have you looked into what your insurance covers? Some insurance will only cover one or two scans, so your doctor wouldn't be suggesting scans that wouldn't be covered unless there was cause for concern. For example, my friend is an obgyn and said that Medicaid will only cover one scan in most cases, so her patients on medicaid only get the anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

Yes I'm just trying to find out the sex I'm solo ready to start buying stuff!!!

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

delujm0 said:
Have you looked into what your insurance covers? Some insurance will only cover one or two scans, so your doctor wouldn't be suggesting scans that wouldn't be covered unless there was cause for concern. For example, my friend is an obgyn and said that Medicaid will only cover one scan in most cases, so her patients on medicaid only get the anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

I wasn't aware of that but I know a couple of girls that have gotten 3 or 4 with medicaid

angielayne926 · December 2014

mommytobe1695 said:

I've been to the doctors twice and have heard the heart beat and they did offer the genetic testing and told me I could give them my answer next time but by then I'll be almost 18 weeks im just frustrated that everyone else is finding out at around this time and a few through ultrasound

18 weeks sounds very late to be starting the genetic testing. If you are interested in that, I would call your Dr. and see if you can get in sooner to do that.

If you're just wanting to know the sex, a lot girls on this board are finding out through genetic blood tests, not ultrasounds. We're not quite there yet.

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

Thank you all so much! And just to be clear the test in which you find out is the normal genetic blood testing

BaytoSA2013 · December 2014

If you just want to know the sex and need to know that badly, you can always check around your area for independent ultrasound offices and pay for one out of pocket. There are mixed reviews on the accuracy prior to 18 to 20 weeks though so buyer beware.

carolyngrace · December 2014

mommytobe1695 said:

Thank you all so much! And just to be clear the test in which you find out is the normal genetic blood testing

There are various types of genetic testing, some do not test for the sex of the baby. Some do.

You're 3 weeks away from being able to find out via ultrasound (with the majority of the rest of us). Personally I'd just wait until then. You'll still have plenty of time to go crazy shopping.

katester91 · December 2014

To add to what PPs have said the genetic testing where you can find out the sex is mainly for high risk moms from what I understand. So count your blessings. I haven't had an ultrasound yet, I will have my first (and only one) January 12th, where we find out the sex. It's normal to only have one.

angielayne926 · December 2014

mommytobe1695 said:

Thank you all so much! And just to be clear the test in which you find out is the normal genetic blood testing

I think you're missing the point of what most of us are saying.

If you are interested in testing to make sure your baby does not have Downs Syndrome or any of the Trisomys, I would call your Dr. to see what kind of testing is available. Some do the NT scan first because it is the lowest risk to moms and babies and pretty standard. Some offer the Verify or Maternity (sp?) blood tests only if the NT scan comes back with a high risk, some offer it in place of the NT scan. This is a call that you need to make.

If you do not want to do the testing or your insurance won't cover it, three weeks to wait is not the end of the world.

Frogger5 · December 2014

threearrows said:

ETA: if you want to know that bad, pay out of pocket and go to an elective ultrasound place. Know in advance that the FDA recently announced that they recommend against this practice.

The FDA's been saying it for years, but it must be lucrative, and women are willing to take the risk and pay, so they stay open.

OP, go buy neutral stuff for now. Even the pink or blue extremists can't want to have EVERYTHING in one color! Get like your diaper pail and washcloths etc.

Trampslikeus · December 2014

It really bothers me that your OB didn't bother to explain your testing options to you... you should be informed about these things, otherwise you can't make informed decisions. I'd call your office and ask for some information, like, ASAP.

delujm0 · December 2014

mommytobe1695 said:
Thank you all so much! And just to be clear the test in which you find out is the normal genetic blood testing

Most insurance will not cover the new genetic blood tests that can tell you the sex unless you are high risk. Out of pocket they can be quite expensive unless your doctor's office has a deal with one of the clinics. If your doctor didn't specifically offer this to you they probably don't have a deal. Additionally results take up to two weeks.

A regular genetic sequential blood screen accompanied by an NT scan will likely be covered by insurance but will not tell you the sex.

At this point you will know the sex at your scan in 3 weeks. Finding out one week earlier and having to pay for the blood test out of pocket is crazy. As is wanting genetic testing purely to determine the sex. Priorities. Try to get them in line before your kid is born.

KonaCoffeeBean · December 2014

mommytobe1695 said:

Yes I'm just trying to find out the sex I'm solo ready to start buying stuff!!!

You can start buying things without knowing the sex of your child. Despite popular belief, it's completely unnecessary to know a child's sex. The only baby item that I can think of where it's penis versus vagina dependent is the pee pee tee pee.

ombradellarosa · December 2014

KonaCoffeeBean said:

mommytobe1695 said:

Yes I'm just trying to find out the sex I'm solo ready to start buying stuff!!!

You can start buying things without knowing the sex of your child. Despite popular belief, it's completely unnecessary to know a child's sex. The only baby item that I can think of where it's penis versus vagina dependent is the pee pee tee pee.

And from what I hear, those are useless anyway

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

delujm0 said:

mommytobe1695 said:
Thank you all so much! And just to be clear the test in which you find out is the normal genetic blood testing
Most insurance will not cover the new genetic blood tests that can tell you the sex unless you are high risk. Out of pocket they can be quite expensive unless your doctor's office has a deal with one of the clinics. If your doctor didn't specifically offer this to you they probably don't have a deal. Additionally results take up to two weeks.

A regular genetic sequential blood screen accompanied by an NT scan will likely be covered by insurance but will not tell you the sex.

At this point you will know the sex at your scan in 3 weeks. Finding out one week earlier and having to pay for the blood test out of pocket is crazy. As is wanting genetic testing purely to determine the sex. Priorities. Try to get them in line before your kid is born.

Excuse you I didn't want the genetic test in the first place because I would just stress to much if anything would have came back abnormal I just wanted to know what I was having so I can get everything ready so how it's this not having my priorities in check I'm am thinking of MY child and it's really none of your business anyway nobody asked you to comment so there's no reason for you to be rude

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

Im not mad about the responses i got that actually helped me she did not have to be rude about it though and yes I'm well aware this is the internet but thanks for telling me

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

Thank you for trying to understand and yes I could've worded my responses better but still I don't see why people have to jump to judging me because I'm excited and want to have everything perfect for when baby does come But I'm really just not going to worry about it and it's not even buying pink or blue stuff I'm not that type of person I just want to be prepared as much as I can so I won't go crazy those first couple of months

Bednarova · December 2014

News flash. We're all excited to be having babies. And we all have about 6 months to get everything "perfect."

And guess what. Your baby won't care at all about your vision of perfection, as long as s/he has a clean dry butt, some warm clothes, regardless of their color, and some liquid food either from you or a formula can. S/he won't be able to see much past 8-10in for the first few weeks anyway.

STM here. Enough with the posts about OMG I Have to have everything perfect tomorrow, what if my baby actually is BORN IN JUNE??

(OP, this is not directed entirely at you. Comments like yours have been too frequent these days. And it's getting on my usually snarky and definitely fraying pregnant nerves)

mccall35 · December 2014

Ok. So you declined genetic testing, but in the same breath said your doc hasn't given you any information on it. But! You would've been down for testing had you known that you could learn the sex of your baby early, because you want everything to be "perfect" for your baby.

Makes sense, because we all know that there will be absolutely no time to perfect things 3 weeks from now. I'm sure all the team green mums are planning for complete chaos and imperfection because they have to wait 7 more months!

How on earth will they be ready?!

Sorry, not sorry for the snark.

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

Omg I am so sorry for offending all you!!! not even going to try to get my point a crossed anymore since everyone seems to know every fucking thing and knows my every thought

kristennflickk · December 2014

I had an ultrasound at 10 weeks to determine viability. I won't have another until the anatomy scan and after that it'll probably be right before my due date that I get another. & for someone who wants to be prepared I would think that getting the genetic testing is something you would go for. That way if there is an abnormality you can look up information on the best care possible for your child, not the best clothes possible for your child.

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

mccall35 said:
Ok. So you declined genetic testing, but in the same breath said your doc hasn't given you any information on it. But! You would've been down for testing had you known that you could learn the sex of your baby early, because you want everything to be "perfect" for your baby.

Makes sense, because we all know that there will be absolutely no time to perfect things 3 weeks from now. I'm sure all the team green mums are planning for complete chaos and imperfection because they have to wait 7 more months!

How on earth will they be ready?!

Sorry, not sorry for the snark.

Not once did I say I denied the test I just said my doctor told me I could hold off until my next visit and I wasn't aware that you could find out the sex from the test in the first place that's why I asked my original question because I saw the thread about everyone telling the sex of their baby and I was worried because I haven't had a sonogram yet And I didn't know if I would be scheduled one 3 weeks from now or how any of this worked because my doctor has not done the best job of explaining things to me so far its just been taking my weight and handing me papers explaing baby's development so please excuse me on not knowing these things and being curious and wanting to be as prepared as I can be and at least interested in my child unlike half the ' mothers' my age

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

kristennflickk said:
I had an ultrasound at 10 weeks to determine viability. I won't have another until the anatomy scan and after that it'll probably be right before my due date that I get another. & for someone who wants to be prepared I would think that getting the genetic testing is something you would go for. That way if there is an abnormality you can look up information on the best care possible for your child, not the best clothes possible for your child.

That's exactly why I was worried because everyone I know has had one at ten weeks to make sure that everything was going as it should I'm just really tired of everyone assuming shit yes I care about my baby yes I worry if it will be healthy just like all of you

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

pickles26 said:
OP, everyone gave you great advice. The great thing about public internet forums is that you get a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints. You can read and decide which advice is the best for you, but you don't get to lash out at people that gave opinions that you don't like. I'm guessing you are 19 from the 1695 in your username.

Try to chill out a bit. we are all very excited. I had the first trimester screening because we wanted to be prepared for anything that was to come. There was a chance that my insurance wouldn't cover it, but they did. I was prepared to pay for it had they not covered it.

I haven't had an u/s since week 7, so I'm opting to have an elective 3d on Tuesday. I already know the sex from the screening test, but even with the elective ones they won't guarantee sex determination until 16 weeks or after.

If I was in your shoes, I would just wait for the anatomy scan in a few weeks. If you want to buy thing, go for neutral colors.

Just for perspective, my close friend and her husband are opting to not find out the sex until the birth. Imagine 9 months of suspense.
</blockquote

No I couldn't imagine waiting the full 9 months and yes I did get very good advice and I appreciate that. Yes I'm 19 but that really has nothing to do with it I'm just upset that people find it OK to go out if their way and make snarky remarks because I have no idea what's really going on and have all the information I need I'm just trying to do the best I can. I just wanted an answer to a simple question and everyone started blowing it out of proportion and attacking me because why? I want to know the sex of my baby and I feel to excited to wait I'm sorry
But it was all just uncalled for. I KNOW for a fact I'm going to be a great mom and nobody really has any place to say differently until you actually know me and yes I did get a little out of wack but wouldn't you with all the nasty comments I was receiving

sideboth · December 2014

@mommytobe1695

Don't get sucked into the drama. Read for good advice, take everything else with the grain of salt. Congratulations on the baby and at 19, I'm sure that this is all a little overwhelming.

It is a little strange that you haven't had an ultrasound yet for viability purposes.

Certainly ask the doctor. Those of us that know the baby's sex are either high risk or a "granny mom". It was done through a blood test that tested for genetic issues. Very expensive and probably won't be offered to you. You should have a scan at 18-20 weeks for anatomy purposes that hopefully will reveal the sex. You can always inquire about an additional scan. No harm in asking. Good luck.

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

sideboth said:
@mommytobe1695

Don't get sucked into the drama. Read for good advice, take everything else with the grain of salt. Congratulations on the baby and at 19, I'm sure that this is all a little overwhelming.

It is a little strange that you haven't had an ultrasound yet for viability purposes.

Certainly ask the doctor. Those of us that know the baby's sex are either high risk or a "granny mom". It was done through a blood test that tested for genetic issues. Very expensive and probably won't be offered to you. You should have a scan at 18-20 weeks for anatomy purposes that hopefully will reveal the sex. You can always inquire about an additional scan. No harm in asking. Good luck.

Thank you so much!!! And it is all very overwhelming its all I can think about 24/7 lol

KonaCoffeeBean · December 2014

@mommytobe1695‌ I really don't understand how knowing the sex of your child will make you better prepared to parent this baby. I guess if you're having a boy, you can make a decision about circumcision in advance. Apart from that though, how exactly do you think parenting a baby with a penis will vary from parenting a baby with a vagina?

mommytobe1695 · December 2014

pickles26 said:
Nobody attacked you. Nobody said anything judgmental about your ability to be a mom. Please keep in mind that written word is subject to the reader's interpretation whereas if you are speaking to someone, their body language, inflection, and facial expressions contribute the meaning/tone/etc.

There have been several other posts similar to yours so it's hard to hold back snark and sarcasm when you feel like you've answered the same question 3 or 4 times. You could have found all the information that you were given above with a simple search.

We've also had to deal with people coming on here to troll and stir up drama. Sometimes it's hard to tell from a couple of posts that someone is looking for honest advice especially when the post comes across as, "OMG I can't wait to find out the sex and I don't want to wait because I want to buy all the things!"

I know you'd be just as frustrated if everyone chose to ignore your post while continuing to respond to the posts about loss scares, ER visits, daily symptoms, etc. wouldn't you?

You are young and I assume healthy so you are pretty low risk. Try to enjoy everything for now and you'll know in a few weeks whether its a boy or girl.

I really do understand that some people in here are annoying and people get tired of it but I just wanted a answer from mite experienced women who can help clarify things for me since I really don't know what all is going on and what's going to happen next and then I got all these nasty coments and I didn't know why or what I said that was so wrong

carolyngrace · December 2014

mommytobe1695 said:

Thank you for trying to understand and yes I could've worded my responses better but still I don't see why people have to jump to judging me because I'm excited and want to have everything perfect for when baby does come But I'm really just not going to worry about it and it's not even buying pink or blue stuff I'm not that type of person I just want to be prepared as much as I can so I won't go crazy those first couple of months

So... How exactly will knowing the sex help you prepare, if not to buy pink/blue items?

Trampslikeus · December 2014

Still really confused at how knowing what kind of genitalia your child has will allow you to "make everything perfect"

also LOLOLOLOL at wanting everything to be "perfect". Thinking that is a possibility means you need to do some more reading. Good luck

Also your comment about "half the mothers" your age really pissed me off. I spent 5 years working with teen moms, many of whom were even younger than 19. With some RARE exceptions and a few terrible circumstances, the vast, significant majority of those moms cared a whole lot about their babies and their pregnancies, just as much as moms of any other age. Your holier-than-thou attitude is completely lost on me and just makes you sound clueless.

Want a personalized experience?

is this normal?

Best Answer

Re: is this normal?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards