What's the Difference?

mrstmoose · October 2015

I spent some time yesterday talking to my insurance provider where I found out that I only get one ultrasound around the 20 week mark unless the doctor declares it medically necessary. I know that every doctor/insurance/etc is different but that's a long time to wait. So, can you guys tell me what the difference is between a doppler, ultrasound and sonogram? I don't have my first appointment until 10/13 (when I will be around 7w3d) and am curious if I will get to at least hear the heartbeat. But really, just looking for the differences?

Yes, I know I can google this, just trying to start a discussion!

TheBorg7of9 · October 2015

No, you won't be able to hear the heartbeat on a Doppler at 7 weeks.

You could if you wanted go to one of the ultrasound places that do them for like $50 or $100.

mrstmoose · October 2015

@TheBorg7of9 can you just follow me wherever I go!? Thank you!

avidkeo · October 2015

Ultrasound and sonogram are essentially the same thing - ultrasound is the name for the procedure of using soundwaves to produce an image, a sonogram is the resluting image.

Doppler is a phenomenon where something moving past a produced high frequency produces a sound - and comes in many forms, in obstetrics can be used to produce an image and/or used to pick up the sound of a heartbeat.

The earliest a trained professional can pick up a hear beat on a handheld doppler is around 11 weeks (mine was that early). Earlier than that the heart is not big enough to make enough sound.

benicode · October 2015

I was wondering the same thing. When I talked to the receptionist making my appt, she said I wasn't getting an ultrasound when I go in at 9 weeks (their first appts are b/w 8-10 weeks) but then said I'd hear the heartbeat and get a picture, so it must be an ultrasound. I'm thinking (or hoping) she was just confused.

mrstmoose · October 2015

@benicode you got more than I did. The nurse told me "some doctors do, some don't." Uhm, that's super helpful, can you tell me what MY doctor does?

cortney626 · October 2015

It's common for some doctors to wait until 20 weeks. The first initial visit is more of an informative visit with bloodwork, maybe pelvic exam. Then around 12 weeks they'll check the heartbeat with the doppler. That's what I've heard anyway for those that have to wait until 20 weeks for the first u/s.

benicode · October 2015

****TW-Loss mentioned****

@mrstmoose That is frustrating! If you can, I'd try to push for the ultrasound. With my first pregnancy, I had a MMC, and even at 11 weeks (with the fetus not having grown past about 6-7 weeks I believe) I hadn't naturally miscarried. It would be hard to wait that long to miscarry, or think you're out of the woods of the first trimester only to find out you hadn't had a viable pregnancy for awhile.

Good Luck! FX

wsgjmw1 · October 2015

What about the first trimester screening ? If one waits until 20 weeks then that would be skipped.

katykatykaty · October 2015

I think the only way to get a picture is with an ultrasound/sonogram, so hopefully she was just confused!

I heard the heartbeat on a doppler at my doctor's office at my 9 week appointment with both my kids, and I was able to pick it up on my personal doppler at home at 8w3d when I was pregnant with my son. I had an anterior placenta with my first, so finding it at home was much harder with her.

katykatykaty · October 2015

wsgjmw1 said:

What about the first trimester screening ? If one waits until 20 weeks then that would be skipped.

@wsgjmw1 In my experience in Texas, many (usually pro-life) doctors don't do the first trimester screening. A lot of my friends don't even know what it is because their doctors never mentioned it. And some patients who know what it is opt out because the results wouldn't change anything.

mrstmoose · October 2015

Sorry ladies, I passed out last night! I am really only going off what the one (cranky) nurse told me. I know I just need to be patient and see what they say at my first appointment but I will be really bummed (and confused) if I don't get a dating u/s or at least something and the only thing I get is the 20 week u/s.

wellinaustin · October 2015

I wonder if you should just call back and confirm? This way, let's say they don't normally, you could push them to? I would call your insurance to find out what they cover. If they cover it, you can probably just flat out request it. My insurance covers any US the doctor deems medically necessary and I'm pretty sure that just means any US my doctor schedules.

wellinaustin · October 2015

katykatykaty said:

I think the only way to get a picture is with an ultrasound/sonogram, so hopefully she was just confused!
I heard the heartbeat on a doppler at my doctor's office at my 9 week appointment with both my kids, and I was able to pick it up on my personal doppler at home at 8w3d when I was pregnant with my son. I had an anterior placenta with my first, so finding it at home was much harder with her.

-----

How do you have your own personal doppler? I want one!

yogahh · October 2015

I never really thought of calling my insurance..it intimidates me so much! Now you having me thinking I should. This being adult thing is for the birds!

mrstmoose · October 2015

I might but I don't want to get the same cranky nurse and have her flat tell me no and then be upset. @yogahh it was weird to call them but I feel so much better now because they basically gave me a heads up what the finance person will tell us what our financial plan is after our first appointment.

katykatykaty · October 2015

@wellinaustin You can order them online, and they're normally about $50 I think. I like having that option, but some people get too nervous when they can't find the heartbeat so the worry isn't worth it.

wsgjmw1 · October 2015

Yeahhhh, I am in California! It didnt even cross my mind the differences varying between states/countries. Very interesting

katykatykaty said:

wsgjmw1 said:

What about the first trimester screening ? If one waits until 20 weeks then that would be skipped.

@wsgjmw1 In my experience in Texas, many (usually pro-life) doctors don't do the first trimester screening. A lot of my friends don't even know what it is because their doctors never mentioned it. And some patients who know what it is opt out because the results wouldn't change anything.

autumnlynne1221 · October 2015

The doctors I work for offer 1st trimester scans but some patients cannot get them due to their insurance. Check and see if it's the doctors policy or your insurance's. You can always say you absolutely do not know your LMP to get your dr to order an ultrasound for dating. Then it's deemed medically necessary.

proudparent2b · October 2015

At my doctor's office, I was able to get ultrasounds for both monthly appointments prior to the doctor being able to pick the doppler. Going forward, I'll only get one more ultrasound at 20 weeks- the rest will be doppler.

Definitely interesting how different doctors and insurance carriers work!

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