No u/s til LATE?

geojam224 · June 2015

I have my first appt this Friday, I'll be 6w6d. I called earlier this week to ask what I should expect on my first appt. They told me everything, and an ultrasound is NOT on the agenda. She said the first u/s isn't until 20 weeks!

Well, I have a STRONG feeling I'm carrying twins. Like I'll be more surprised if it's just one baby than if it is actually twins. So I asked if I am, 20 weeks is seriously the first time I'll know for sure? She was like, well you should have one sooner than that for multiples... HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF YOU DON'T LOOK DAMN IT?!

BabyHope2013 · June 2015

With my first pregnancy I did not get an U/S until 20 weeks. Many doctors will only do an anatomy scan. This time around, my doctor is with a different practice now and I am getting an 8 week U/S at my first appointment. I have had friends with multiples and their first sign they had twins was how extremely high their HCG levels were and then they did an U/S as a result. A co-worker of mine, they found out she had twins when they found two heartbeats at 10 weeks.

BabySeaTurtles · June 2015

I would ask for one before the end of the first trimester at least. And by ask, I mean pull the pregnant b***h card if needed in order to get it done.

bredoll · June 2015

Your first U/S would be at 20 weeks? Isn't that normally the gender U/S? I know I am getting extra U/S with this pregnancy because of super awesome risk factors but even with my first pregnancy they still did a U/S at what turned out to be 7 weeks (we thought I was 8). My old office and my new office always do a "dating" U/S around 8-9 weeks.

bookqueen · June 2015

You could see if there's a school around your that does free ultrasounds (done by students). I know there's one here that will do them around like 14 weeks I think.

DylansCandyBar · June 2015

BabySeaTurtles said:

I would ask for one before the end of the first trimester at least. And by ask, I mean pull the pregnant b***h card if needed in order to get it done.

Yeah, because pregnancy entitles you to anything and everything you want, when you want it. Wow.

OP, it's pretty standard not to have an U/S until 20 weeks with a healthy and normal pregnancy. Your doctor will most likely listen the heartbeat at about 12 weeks and if there's two, chances are they will hear 2 heartbeats and do an U/S earlier if necessary. I wouldn't go pulling any "pregnant b---" card with your doctors office, unless of course you want them to hate you. Then go ahead right on.

Twindling · June 2015

If you're truly carrying twins, you'll know before the 20wk scan. Your fundal height will more than likely be off. I think it's really common for women to have a strong feeling they're having twins...except the women who actually have them. Lol

You could always pay out of pocket and opt to do the 11-13 week NT scan.

Kiek · June 2015

I won't have one until about 20w. The midwife I'm going to can usually figure out if there are multiples just by listening to the heartbeats.

JScamelipardalis · June 2015

DylansCandyBar said:

BabySeaTurtles said:

I would ask for one before the end of the first trimester at least. And by ask, I mean pull the pregnant b***h card if needed in order to get it done.

Yeah, because pregnancy entitles you to anything and everything you want, when you want it. Wow.

OP, it's pretty standard not to have an U/S until 20 weeks with a healthy and normal pregnancy. Your doctor will most likely listen the heartbeat at about 12 weeks and if there's two, chances are they will hear 2 heartbeats and do an U/S earlier if necessary. I wouldn't go pulling any "pregnant b---" card with your doctors office, unless of course you want them to hate you. Then go ahead right on.

Wow, no need for sarcasm. I think the peace of mind that an U/S gives is worth asking for. At one point it was not common, but I think it is fairly common now. All of my friends (with no complications) had a dating u/s around 8-9 weeks before their anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

DylansCandyBar · June 2015

JScamelipardalis said:

BabySeaTurtles said:

I would ask for one before the end of the first trimester at least. And by ask, I mean pull the pregnant b***h card if needed in order to get it done.

Yeah, because pregnancy entitles you to anything and everything you want, when you want it. Wow.
OP, it's pretty standard not to have an U/S until 20 weeks with a healthy and normal pregnancy. Your doctor will most likely listen the heartbeat at about 12 weeks and if there's two, chances are they will hear 2 heartbeats and do an U/S earlier if necessary. I wouldn't go pulling any "pregnant b---" card with your doctors office, unless of course you want them to hate you. Then go ahead right on.

Wow, no need for sarcasm. I think the peace of mind that an U/S gives is worth asking for. At one point it was not common, but I think it is fairly common now. All of my friends (with no complications) had a dating u/s around 8-9 weeks before their anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

Because demanding an U/S (by way of being a "pregnant b---") is a super sweet way of going about things. Ummmm, okay.

mommyaviles · June 2015

Why is there so much drama on The Bump?

mcollier2118 · June 2015

That is weird. I haven't ever heard of physicians not doing an u/s until 20 weeks. All of the physicians I work with do an early scan (late first trimester) just to make sure everything looks good and also for dating. Late term ultrasounds are extremely unreliable for dating. So unless someone is extremely regular with their cycles, an early ultrasound for dating is the way to go. Luckily I am very regular and have no doubts about my EDD. But I would still definitely want the reassurance of an early ultrasound to know that things are starting out and developing the way they should.

mcollier2118 · June 2015

To address this,

"Yeah, because pregnancy entitles you to anything and everything you want, when you want it. Wow.

OP, it's pretty standard not to have an U/S until 20 weeks with a healthy and normal pregnancy. Your doctor will most likely listen the heartbeat at about 12 weeks and if there's two, chances are they will hear 2 heartbeats and do an U/S earlier if necessary. I wouldn't go pulling any "pregnant b---" card with your doctors office, unless of course you want them to hate you. Then go ahead right on ahead."

Finding two different heartbeats is difficult enough with an electronic fetal monitor when you have term twins, let alone finding two sets of heartbeats for 12 weeks twins with a Doppler. Unless someone knew it was twins, and was specifically looking for two heartbeats, the chances of find two with a Doppler in early gestation, would be highly unlikely. Just an educated assumption, from experience.

geojam224 · June 2015

Well she mentioned the 20 week u/s, she didn't mention another visit between this one and the 20 week u/s. So I assumed I'd get my 7 week visit and the next time I would see the Dr would be at my 20 week anatomy scan.

Seriously, nobody needs to get rude. I've avoided TB before cuz every time I stop by, all i see is rude and snarky. But my anniversary month board was different and I thought any of the common month boards would be different and more respectful. Come on. Cool it.

camusoh2011 · June 2015

My Dr only does a 20 week u/s unless there are risks. I go back around 13 weeks for another OB visit then my next will probably be around the same time as the u/s. If you are worried I would ask, but I wouldn't demand unless you feel like something is wrong. Also, check out your area for free clinics. We have one that will allow you one free ultrasound.

kfriess · June 2015

I think it is important to feel in control during your pregnancy! If u do not like the guidelines of the doctor your seeing maybe u should research another doctor office! It is hard not to be nervous about things that are happening with the baby and yourself that u can not see. I think ever doctor knows this is a stressful time for a mother. Speak to your doctor about your concerns. If this doctor does not listen and at least speak with u about how and why they wait until 20 weeks then maybe u need to switch offices. I have to drive 40 minutes to the clinic I go to buy it is worth the drive! Good luck! I had twins by the way and they could not find two heartbeats. My HCG levels were so high they did an ultrasound at 8 weeks and found them!

DylansCandyBar · June 2015

geojam224 said:

Well she mentioned the 20 week u/s, she didn't mention another visit between this one and the 20 week u/s. So I assumed I'd get my 7 week visit and the next time I would see the Dr would be at my 20 week anatomy scan. Seriously, nobody needs to get rude. I've avoided TB before cuz every time I stop by, all i see is rude and snarky. But my anniversary month board was different and I thought any of the common month boards would be different and more respectful. Come on. Cool it.

You'll most likely see the doctor once or twice between your first appointment and 20 weeks (probably around 12 and 18 weeks give or take). Depending on what your insurance covers (based on risk factors) you might be eligible for genetic testing and a NT scan, in which case you would have an U/S a little bit earlier (before 13 weeks). All of those things will probably be addressed at your first appointment, and you can ask the nurse/doctor about that.

I just take issue with demanding an U/S simply for "peace of mind." Especially in the way that was advised. This is my third pregnancy and I don't play the "pregnant b---" card and honestly don't agree with those who do either. Pregnancy =/= speshul snowflake.

TexasMom7137 · June 2015

Generally you would continue to see your OB once a month after the first visit and then the appointments are more frequent as you get into 3rd tri. It is actually fairly common for the Anatomy scan to be the only ultrasound in a healthy pregnancy. If you have concerns, think your date may be off, really feel like an earlier scan is needed then talk to your OB.

For your Ultrasound to be covered you would need your OB's office to code it for something considered medically necessary. I would advocate for myself in a polite way if I had concerns. If they still do not consider the scan necessary then you may want to consider an OB who is a better fit for you.

I agree that being a "pregnant B" is not going to work in your favor. You will be working with this office for almost a year and having a good relationship is important in my opinion.

geojam224 · June 2015

FTR, when I read the pregnant b---- comment, I thought it was funny. And I took the comment as meant to be funny, not seriously burst into the dr office, guns blazing. I don't think the PP meant it that way either. Which is why I'm kinda appalled by the reaction to that comment.

twinmom1121 · June 2015

"Finding two different heartbeats is difficult enough with an electronic fetal monitor when you have term twins, let alone finding two sets of heartbeats for 12 weeks twins with a Doppler. Unless someone knew it was twins, and was specifically looking for two heartbeats, the chances of find two with a Doppler in early gestation, would be highly unlikely. Just an educated assumption, from experience."

I agree, unless they are looking for two heartbeats, they will most likely just find the one. I had twins and whenever I would go to my appointments, they would use the Doppler to find the heartbeat. For some reason they never looked at my chart long enough to know I was having twins so they would always just find the one heartbeat until I told them "um there are two in there!". Then they would have to search for the other one. So it's not always that easy to find two. I agree that you should at least tell them your concerns and see if you can get an earlier ultrasound!

kayjay44 · June 2015

Seems strange to me, but I'm used to the 3 standard ultrasounds - dating scan, NT scan and anatomy scan.

BabySeaTurtles · June 2015

DylansCandyBar said:

JScamelipardalis said:

BabySeaTurtles said:

I would ask for one before the end of the first trimester at least. And by ask, I mean pull the pregnant b***h card if needed in order to get it done.

Yeah, because pregnancy entitles you to anything and everything you want, when you want it. Wow.
OP, it's pretty standard not to have an U/S until 20 weeks with a healthy and normal pregnancy. Your doctor will most likely listen the heartbeat at about 12 weeks and if there's two, chances are they will hear 2 heartbeats and do an U/S earlier if necessary. I wouldn't go pulling any "pregnant b---" card with your doctors office, unless of course you want them to hate you. Then go ahead right on.

Wow, no need for sarcasm. I think the peace of mind that an U/S gives is worth asking for. At one point it was not common, but I think it is fairly common now. All of my friends (with no complications) had a dating u/s around 8-9 weeks before their anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

Because demanding an U/S (by way of being a "pregnant b---") is a super sweet way of going about things. Ummmm, okay.

I didn't mean anything that nasty; just meant sometimes a little more force is required. I am sorry my thoughts came out wrong. You're right that pregnancy does not come with any entitlement. Sometimes moms have to fight a little for their children. I'm sure you know this already and would do anything for your baby. We all want our LOs to come into this world safe and healthy.

OP, I am SO sorry to have sparked drama on your post. Maybe what I should have said is that making your feelings known a little more to the OB's office will help and see how they respond.

thoughtfulmommy · June 2015

I will only be having the one ultrasound. It is normal here to only have one ultrasound unless medically necessary to have more.

txbrideinblue · June 2015

At my OB, they do at least one early ultrasound to confirm pregnancy and to confirm that the pregnancy is contained IN THE UTERUS. That's sort of important. That way, if you have an ectopic pregnancy or it turns out to be something like a molar pregnancy, they can take steps before you have complications.

E3A7AGGIE · June 2015

No harm in asking. At my dr, I'll have a dating ultrasound between 6-8 weeks, a 12 week for the NST scan, 20 weeks for anatomy scan, and 36 weeks for another general health check and position. So it seems like each practice is different. Some dr offices don't do more than that of insurance won't cover it, because that would leave you paying out of pocket.

TexasMom7137 · June 2015

FTR I was not trying to stir up continued drama with my response. My OB during pregnancy #1 only ever did the anatomy scan unless there was an issue. I decided that was not a good fit for me when we planned baby #2.

As I was interviewing new OBs I discovered that many in my area only do the anatomy scan during healthy pregnancies. I continued looking until I found an office that was more in line with what we wanted.

I don't think it's wrong to ask but my original OB was not open to ordering additional "unnecessary" scans. I know that my cycles are weird so I did feel like a dating ultrasound was important. I just had to find an OB who agreed. This is especially important for me since I have had scheduled C-Sections. Hope you are able to get the care you would like and need.

HBirdie · June 2015

magnumJ said:

Seems strange to me, but I'm used to the 3 standard ultrasounds - dating scan, NT scan and anatomy scan.

This. I'd ask about it at your first appointment. I remember at my first appt with DS, they didn't do the over the belly U/S (I feel so ashamed for not knowing the right terminology for these, sorry), they did the wand up my vag one. So I still got to see the little gummy bear.

rainbowminion · June 2015

With my first pregnancy my OB only did the 20wk anatomy scan. That's when we found out our daughter had multiple issues. As of right now I'm scheduled at 10 weeks for bloodwork and going over financial stuff. Then I'm supposed to go in at 12 weeks for my first visit with the Dr. and to listen for a heartbeat.

They asked if there was a reason I should come in sooner and I said no.

But I'm starting to wonder if I ought to see if I can get an earlier ultrasound or maybe even a referral to our maternal fetal medicine specialist. It would help my anxiety immensely if we could see that this little one is developing appropriately, but I have no idea how soon you could see enough to be useful. I'm not an assertive person by nature, but with my age and history surely it would make sense to be more aggressive with testing this time around. But if you can't see anything by 12 weeks anyway I might as well wait. I think I just talked myself into a phone call to my OB's office.

MrsJG3 · June 2015

Some dr's don't refer for an NT scan. Not sure if it is personal or professional choice. My office does a dating scan, NT scan and anatomy scan as routine. If early screening is important to you I would ask about it at your first appt.

kayjay44 · June 2015

Not having a dating scan is out of the question for me. I have no real idea how far along I am - I never had AF after DD was born, so in order to date the pregnancy reliably, they need to do one.

As for the NT scan, it is optional, but I opt to do it as it is covered by insurance. As is the 12 week blood work. DH and I wouldn't terminate a pregnancy that was viable, but it would be nice to have more time to prepare ourselves in the case that something is wrong with this LO.

MrsJG3 · June 2015

I agree @magnumJ I am a knowledge is power personality. I would want to be prepared as possible.

snarky14jd · June 2015

What about opting for the nt scan. That's approx 12 ish weeks.

MississippiCatfish · June 2015

I was curious what the ACOG recommendations were. This is from their website:

How many ultrasound exams will I have during my pregnancy?
You may have at least one standard exam during your pregnancy. This ultrasound exam usually is performed at about 16–20 weeks of pregnancy. Some women may have an ultrasound exam in the first trimester of pregnancy. If a problem occurs during pregnancy, such as bleeding or pelvic pain, ultrasound may be used to help find the cause.

I had 8 with my first, because every time we did, they thought there was a problem to follow up on. None of the findings were actually the problems they thought they might be. (Thank goodness.) With my second, I only had the 20 week. I'll do that again as long as there are no concerns.

rspalding001 · June 2015

A lot of insurance will only cover 1 ultrasound which is why some people only get the 20 week anatomy scan done. You can ask for one at your first appointment but be prepared to have it not covered by insurance.

NoelBird · June 2015

I'm not sure if I'm getting an ultrasound at my 8 week apt. If I don't it won't be a big deal. I am doing the nt scan. Last time my ob didn't do the scans in house so they referred me to the local MFM. I was really surprised that they wouldn't do the scan but the people at MFM were extremely helpful.

Irisini · June 2015

Irisini · June 2015

DylansCandyBar said:

JScamelipardalis said:

DylansCandyBar said:

BabySeaTurtles said:

I would ask for one before the end of the first trimester at least. And by ask, I mean pull the pregnant b***h card if needed in order to get it done.

Yeah, because pregnancy entitles you to anything and everything you want, when you want it. Wow.
OP, it's pretty standard not to have an U/S until 20 weeks with a healthy and normal pregnancy. Your doctor will most likely listen the heartbeat at about 12 weeks and if there's two, chances are they will hear 2 heartbeats and do an U/S earlier if necessary. I wouldn't go pulling any "pregnant b---" card with your doctors office, unless of course you want them to hate you. Then go ahead right on.

Wow, no need for sarcasm. I think the peace of mind that an U/S gives is worth asking for. At one point it was not common, but I think it is fairly common now. All of my friends (with no complications) had a dating u/s around 8-9 weeks before their anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

Because demanding an U/S (by way of being a "pregnant b---") is a super sweet way of going about things. Ummmm, okay.

I think @BabySeaTurtles was being slightly fictitious and I completely agree with her. The first trimester is the most critical time for the baby's development and 20 weeks is far too long for a viability scan. With all the different symptoms of a normal pregnancy, it can mask serious problems such as an ectopic, molar or SCH. I've already had two u/s and one more scheduled on the 24th. There is nothing better than hearing and seeing your baby's heartbeat at 6w5d. My fourth u/s will be at 12w then every 4 weeks from there. I was the very nice "pregnant b****" because I was anxious/ stressed and need reassurance. I want to do what's best for us because every woman's pregnancy is different.

apples9 · June 2015

I had an u/s on my first visit (just over 4 wks) and am having another at 7 wks, 2 days this coming Tuesday. It all depends on your doctor.

PaniaO · June 2015

I get an U/S every month with KP, beginning around week 7/8. (I got one earlier to confirm uterine pregnancy due to some cramping, but that's not typical.)

robinj716 · June 2015

I would say 20 weeks is really late. My first U/S is at 8 weeks and it's for a dating scan, however when I initially called for my first appt. they scheduled me for a consultation with the Doctor at 7 weeks and my first ultrasound for 10-12 weeks. If you don't feel comfortable from the start, switch doctors. My first doctor wasn't even going to see me until 12 weeks for my initial consultation visit and that didn't satisfy me, so I found a doctor who would see me earlier. Go with your gut feeling! If it doesn't feel right, find someone who makes you feel right. I'm so glad I switched!

mrsgillham14 · June 2015

My doctor does the first U/S around 7 weeks.

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