declining ultrasounds

kaybee03 · August 2015

I'm 38 weeks on Monday. I do have GD (my a1c has never been outside the normal range and I am diet controlled) and hypothyroidism (I've been checked regularly and never been close to outside the normal range). I have had ultrasounds at 8, 20, 25, 30, 32, 36, and now 37 weeks. I am really unhappy with having them this often when all my conditions have been well controlled (blood sugar readings are fine, as well). I told my doctor I felt this was excessive at the last appt and she said that if I did not do the ultrasound, I would HAVE to do a nst.

I spoke with a friend who is a doula (and who I wish I would have asked to actually be mine, but didn't expect to feel like this). She shared that I had the right to decline these things and gave me a lot of great information about it. I am a totally non confrontational person and basically cry at the drop of the hat right now. I went today and had to have the biophysical ultrasound. Baby was not demonstrating breathing (he literally has in EVERY other ultrasound I've had) so they made me do an NST. I hadn't eaten, thinking I would be able to get in/get out and get something after... He was fine. He did "perfect."

Yet again, next week, I have to get another ultrasound... I didn't even make the appointment today because I had to get out of the office to cry. It was just a stressful appointment for absolutely nothing.

I am curious if anyone else has declined ultrasounds/nst? I don't see what it's going to prove at this point? Other than the fact that I have those controlled conditions, EVERYTHING has been picture perfect down to weight gained and blood pressure. I understand that they have liability/etc. from a med perspective. I am not looking to be criticized for that... Just curious about others' experiences! Thank you!

chelseajeanene · August 2015

I was given an ultrasound every 2 weeks from 6-20 weeks and I've only had 3 appointments where I haven't had one done. While I have friends who've had only 2-3 ultrasounds their entire pregnancies. I believe that each doctor is different with their procedures. I wouldn't worry about the baby being effected by too many ultrasounds because they don't do them long enough for it to actually hurt the baby. If you don't want to get them then that's your right, I just wouldn't be as concerned about something bad happening

momofsweetps · August 2015

I have had nsts and bpp ultrasounds once a week for the last 7 weeks and I never declined them only because I'm having heart and lung issues this pregnancy and lack of oxygen can be harmful for the baby so far he's been fine. If I hadn't been having issues he wouldn't have ordered them and I would have been done with them after the 20 week one. I think you should address your concerns with your ob and if you feel that strongly, it's ok to say no.

kaybee03 · August 2015

I understand... I just don't see why really at this point... She was concerned with size, but with the +/- 2 pounds, etc. I don't see why it is necessary... especially at 38 weeks! I don't know... I really just don't like having them. The one today made me incredibly anxious and I left pretty upset when everything is fine.

jkjdd · August 2015

The end is when the most can happen. If you have risks it's better to be safe than sorry. I understand I have risks and have to go to the doctor twice a week the last month. But better to be extra careful.

rachelkawesome · August 2015

I'm feeling you on this - I keep getting ultrasounds for various things (recently it's because my fundal height is measuring way ahead), and I feel like it's excessive even though I'm seeing a midwife and I know she wouldn't order them if they weren't medically necessary. It's just a lot of stress and worry to go through every time and then be told "Yeah, it's all normal." So frustrating. I too want to decline any additional ones, but it's hard to do that when the doctor/midwife is telling you you really need it.

kanga915 · August 2015

I am supposed to have weekly ultrasound and NST because I'm 35. I politely declined and my doctor was fine with it. Had she pushed the issue, I'd still refuse. I only had two ultrasounds all along (dating at 8 was, anatomy scan at 19). I don't see any reason for another unless I go past 40 weeks and even then I'd be very dubious of any information about baby's size or fluid levels because they're so inaccurate. To the PP who says ultrasound is just fine, it's never been proven.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pregnant-women-get-more-ultrasounds-without-clear-medical-need-1437141219

Mufflerlove · August 2015

I had a low PAPPA score on my 12 week bloodwork. Apparently this means there is a higher chance of complications and my placenta deteriorating. I have had 8,12,20,21,24,27,30,36 and 38 week ultrasounds. They have all been perfect. My OB says her concern is what if she stops monitoring and then something happens. She feels better being safe then sorry and doesn't feel comfortable to just stopping double checking.

I feel like I don't need that many but what if I chose to not have one and they missed something. Unlikely but I don't want to take that chance.

ktbkitten · August 2015

I've had extra ultrasounds with this pregnancy. I don't mind the extra tests and things like that because it's just more reassurance for me that everything is fine. I also like to see him every chance that I get. Ultrasounds don't cause any damage to the fetus, so I don't really see the issue with getting them. I trust my OB and if he says I need something I am going to get it, if I don't need it he wouldn't tell me to get it.

This being said I have an older son and there was this crazy period where we were going to tons of doctors and they kept on rescheduling him to come again even though everything was "fine". Seriously he had over 10 appointments in one month. He is skinny and is always going to be skinny and he doesn't eat well, they couldn't find anything wrong with him. I finally put my foot down and said enough is enough and there haven't been more issues since. Things have improved. So if you feel that enough has been done you have to right to stop it.

surprisepkg31 · August 2015

I feel you, I get 2 NST'S a week and an ultrasound every 2 weeks since like 30 weeks. All because my BP was high, but it was only high because they would take it as soon as I got there, hot, flustered, nervous. Stupid, so at 32 weeks I finally asked to do it after my NST and ever since I've had normal blood pressure. Some days I'm there 3 hrs!!! It's ridiculous. So I've put my foot down because everything has been reading perfect since 32 weeks. That 8 times in a row I've had normal BP, So I canceled a few NST appointments, once a week is enough!

kaybee03 · August 2015

My bp was higher today (still not high) because I was so stressed from it all. I also have had to deal with the endicrinologist office losing my blood sugar readings 3/5 times I've turned them in, which gets my blood boiling too. I am so ready to just have him!

kaybee03 · August 2015

And thanks everyone. I know some of you have higher risks and require more monitoring. I would be more concerned if anything really was not consistently fine. I also know it can turn on a dime, but I just feel it's excessive and rarely ever has told me anything that seemed accurate (like all the measures).

J0C0TX · August 2015

With my previous pregnancies I had 3 the whole 40 weeks.
This time around I've had a lot more. I'm regarded as high risk due to GD and I'm
Seeing a MFM who like to measure a lot for fluid and see how the dude is progressing. It's been good for me as I've stressed about the GD and the measurements show he's doing great regardless

But everyone has their own take.

CaboBride2015 · August 2015

I go twice a week for NST'S and after one of those appts I meet with the Dr as well. I've also had extra ultrasounds because I'm considered high risk due to my age. Is there a reason you're getting so stressed out about these appts? I know it's kind of a pain but it does sound like you have a couple complicating factors and while you're managing well that can change fairly quickly by no fault of your own. Try viewing the extra appts with a different mindset, you get to see your LO more, hear their heartbeat more etc... there are women on here who are paying good money to have private ultrasounds done because their Dr won't order them more! Just a suggestion...sometimes a new outlook can be helpful.

TabulaRasa25 · August 2015

I'm 38 and have a bicornuate uterus, breech presentation, and marginal cord insertion, so more frequent monitoring has been indicated due to relevant risk factors. Even at that rate, though, I've only had five.

I've always found more knowledge v. less to be comforting, and am glad that there's been as much checking in in that regard as possible. It's really set my mind at ease knowing all the things that are being monitored. I haven't felt that any have been done frivolously, there have been clear-cut medical indications for doing each of them, not just generally checking in "just in case."

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