Heartbeat and ultrasound??

Jmsmith102 · June 2015

so my OB just told me at my confirmation of pregnancy appointment that I only hear the heartbeat at the 8-12 week appointment no ultrasound, Is that Normal/typical? Also she said my only ultrasound would be at 20 weeks and that's it.... Is this typical?

MamaFroFro · June 2015

My last pregnancy we did the vaginal US (not sure what it's called) at 9 weeks. I have no idea what's standard though and that was 5 years ago! But then I had to beg them to do an US at 37 weeks, and my only other one was at 20.

rspalding001 · June 2015

it just depends on your insurance and the Dr really and if you are high risk or not. You can ask for an earlier ultra sound but your insurance might not cover it. Id call your insurance and see what they will pay for and then you can follow up with your Doctor if you want to do an elective ultra sound sooner than 20 weeks. In my experience I had an ultra sound at 6-7 weeks with my first daughter but I had to pay for it out of pocket (not covered). Then I got another one at the 20 week anatomy scan (covered) and towards the end of my pregnancy I got a couple more to check if the baby was head down and such and those were covered as well.

bookqueen · June 2015

It depends all on your doctor. The midwife I had at the OBGYN for my first pregnancy did an ultrasound at almost every appointment. Some do a confirmation one between 8-10 weeks with another at 20, and some only do the 20 week ultrasound.

AggieKim · June 2015

Agreed with pp that it could depend on insurance and doctor. My doctor did the transvag at the 8 week spot and got the heartbeat (I think this is why she does it at 8 weeks because though it might be heard as early as 6 weeks ish she picks a few later). I was offered for NT scan (which would be another ultrasound) around 12 weeks that I didn't do for my first pregnancy. Then at 18 weeks (usually 18-20) she sent me to a perinatologist for the anatomy scan. I went back to ther perinatologist for a scheduled 26 week scan and I got one extra ultrasound because I didn't want to be induced and to allow me to go past 40 weeks I got one then...which, let me tell you, is NOT EXCITING. Can't see crap.

twinmom1121 · June 2015

I have a new dr this time around and they said they would schedule a first ultrasound after my first appointment (at 10 1/2 weeks), then another around 20 and then a last around 38. They said if there is reason to have more then they would but if everything was looking fine, then just those three. I had so many ultrasounds with my last pregnancy because I was having twins so it really just depends on the dr and how your pregnancy is going. It was so nice to see my babies so much on ultrasound but the bills I received afterwards were not so fun..

tigerfish227 · June 2015

*Loss mentioned*

My doctor's office does a dating US at 8 weeks then the first prenatal appointment at 10-11weeks at the prenatal appointment they will use the Doppler to hear the heartbeat but won't do an US unless they are having trouble finding the HB. Unfortunately, this is what happened to me. They couldn't find the HB with the Doppler and since they have an US machine on site they sent me in to do one so we could make sure everything was OK. It wasn't. We briefly got to see my little guppy on the screen before the sonographer told us that guppy was only measuring 8w6d(I should have been 11w6d) and baby had no heartbeat. I had a d&c the next day.

Not all offices have the machines on site and most of them will only do the US if there is a real reason for it, such as in my case. At most visits you will probably just get the Doppler.

txbrideinblue · June 2015

In my experience, I have had a transvaginal u/s at the first appointment that basically verifies that your pregnancy is actually in your uterus and not in a tube since that would be bad. Then, another u/s at around 8 weeks for hb (my second baby those two were actually the same appointment...). Then, NT scan at around 12 wks. Anatomy scan at 18-20 wks. During my 2nd pregnancy, I had another scan at about 28 weeks because they needed to check some things that were not readily visible at my anatomy scan. THEN, both pregnancies, I had even more scans. With my first, it was another scan at 37 weeks or something because my baby was breech. Luckily, he turned. With my 2nd, I had high fluid for a while so I had another scan and that one sent me to the hospital for monitoring because he wasn't practice breathing at all. Everything turned out ok though.

Phew! LOL! Also, I am an older mom (I will turn 38 this year, was 34 and 36 with my other kiddos) so maybe that has something to do with it.

jordans_wife · June 2015

I was only given the 20 week anatomy scan. They used doppler for the hb at the other appointments. Luckily I work in radiology and am able to have the us techs give me random scans. I always have them do the 6 or 7 week scan to find the hb. Other then that I only look if they want to practice something on me or if I'm worried at all for any reason.

NoelBird · June 2015

I have heard of some doctors not using ultrasounds until 20 weeks so it isn't abnormal. My last pregnancy I had an 8 week dating ultrasound, 12 week NT scan (which was optional) and the 20 week anatomy scan.

camusoh2011 · June 2015

It can be depending on the doctor, how your pregnancy is going, and insurance. That is how mine is. The heartbeat is because it is hard for them to find before 10 weeks so they don't want to worry you if they check and can't get it.

oceanangel0502 · June 2015

My last preg I had one at 7 weeks for dating and see the heart beat, 22 week nt scan 20 week anatomy scan 30 week to check size and position these were the routine ones but I also had 2 additional early ones for bleeding and 2 additional after 30 weeks bc of his size (he was 10lb 12oz at delivery)

g8trkim · June 2015

It really depends on your OB. For my first two kids, I had an U/S at 8, 12, 20, and 30 weeks plus they listened to the heartbeat at every appt. The first u/s was vaginal. I can't remember about the second. But I know the last two were on the stomach. I moved and have a new OB for this pregnancy so I'm not sure what they do, but I made my 8 week appt and they said I will have an ultrasound so I'm assuming they do things similar.

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