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May 2016 Moms
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No ultrasound til 18 weeks?

dshannahdshannah member
in May 2016 Moms
Just had my first prenatal appointment (I'm at least 8 weeks pregnant) and I was hoping to hear a heartbeat and stop worrying so much about miscarrying. But the doctor won't do a Doppler until 12 weeks, and won't do an ultrasound til 18!!!

Is this normal? It sounds like everyone else is getting theirs at 12 weeks or earlier.

I'm in the Midwest, in a rather large city in the U.S., and I've got great insurance, and this is one of the main pregnancy centers in my city.

Should I shop around for a new doctor just because of this?
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Re: No ultrasound til 18 weeks?

  • twinmom3221twinmom3221 member
    This is actually the norm. Typically you cannot hear baby's heartbeat with Doppler until after 12 weeks because your uterus is just not big enough so baby is behind your pubic bone still.
    Early u/s is usually only given if there are issues or for viability - which in our area (northeast) they typically only do for women over 35
    There is no harm in asking for an early ultrasound.
    I am 38 so whenever I've called the ob and said I was spotting they send me for an u/s
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  • DutchLucyLuDutchLucyLu member
    https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12628329/no-ultrasound-til-20-weeks

    Not exactly 18 weeks, but close. ;)

      

    Not everyone can breastfeed - Mammary Hypoplasia/Insufficient Glandular Tissue Awareness


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  • dshannahdshannah member
    Thanks! I hadn't seen that one!
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  • gremarie06gremarie06 member
    For my first pregnancy, I had my Doppler at 13weeks and ultrasound at 20 weeks (we just did one) so it's all good! Sometimes if they try to find a heartbeat and don't find it bc it's too early (and everything is perfectly normal) it causes more stress :-)

    Best of luck to you!
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  • lionstigersbearslionstigersbears member
    I know it can be shocking to get this news after seeing so so so many ultrasounds on this board. While it is common for practices to do quick peaks (I see midwives but I have to meet there OB backup in 3rd tri and she just whipped the ultrasound machine out like it was nothing, so weird!), it's actually pretty typical to NOT have ultrasounds except for the anatomy scan and post-dates (going past your due date they check things like fluid levels, etc.). This is not a sign of your doctor doing anything wrong but if you're uncomfortable you could ask for one and see what they say, or consider changing if you feel that strongly about it.

    For what it's worth, my understanding is that somewhere around 6-10 weeks? Can't remember exactly but early on is the ideal time to date a pregnancy via ultrasound if you're unsure about your EDD especially if your period has been irregular/not 28 days. I've been told there is very little variability between babies during this time so the measurements give the best estimate. Since you said you're at least 8 weeks it may be something to consider if you've been irregular, as a dating ultrasound could be necessary to determine how far along you are.
    Me 27 | DH 28
    DS October 2014
    #2 May 2016
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  • somethingbluetoosomethingbluetoo member
    I wish! I probably will not get an ultrasound for another 14 weeks. Hoping to hear the heartbeat sooner than later!
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers
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