When Are Your Ultrasounds?

Blonde1817 · March 2016

So I had my first appointment and sonogram last week (8w4d) and it was amazing to see my baby and the heartbeat! After I scheduled my next appointment at 12w4d I realized I didn't have a sonogram set up. When I called about this, they said they won't do another sono until 19/20 weeks unless there is a sign of a problem.

I've heard a lot of ladies on here mention looking forward to their 12 week scan. I feel nervous to tell people before hearing the heartbeat again, but I'm not going to wait that long to tell!

So I guess I'm just wondering when you ladies are scheduled to have sonograms. Anyone else in the same boat as I am?

LGW2015 · March 2016

I had an ultrasound at 7w2d. My OB sent me for one at my first appt. but only because I have very irregular cycles so she wanted it done for dating purposes. I will only have one more U/S done at 19 weeks. My OB normally only does the one U/S at 19 weeks unless something is wrong/you don't know how far along you are.

Apparently it's pretty common to only have 1 U/S done if there are no complications. However I think it's also common to have 1 done in the first tri. in addition to the mid-pregnancy one. Just depends on the dr.

Although if you're worried about hearing the heartbeat, they do that in office with a Doppler. My OB said we will most likely hear the heartbeat at our next appt at 11 weeks.

Edit: Also, I think the 12 week scan refers to the NT scan for those who opt for it which checks for potential chromosomal abnormalities (i.e. If you're high risk). It can also just be when some people get their first appt./US done as doctors seem to differ with timing.

2015dee · March 2016

I've had 2 (6w3d and 8w) with my fertility doctor. My care has been transferred to my OB, and she does one at 12w but not again until 20w I think.

kyraaD · March 2016

*lurking from March 16*

I've only had 2 US this whole pregnancy, & then a suuuuper quick bedside US as well. my first US was at 12 weeks, which I'm pretty sure i only got because i opted for the NT scan. the next one after that was my a/s which i had done at 19 weeks. then i had a very fast bedside US done at 36 weeks to make sure baby was definitely head down. but other than that i will not be getting any more unless something is off with his growth. so really, no US's = good for baby! haha.

at your monthly OB visits they should be using a doppler to check on your LO's heartbeat, so you wont have to wait until your a/s to hear the beat again.

MRSCORKER · March 2016

I had one at 6+2 because I was super anxious after a CP in November and my doctor was just being nice in ordering one. If I hadn't been freaking out, I would of had to wait until my intake appt at 9+2. I'm not sure when I'll have another after my 9+2 U/S but it's comforting to know they'll at least use the doplar to hear babies heartbeat even if we can't see it.

Piperella · March 2016

I've had quite a few ultrasounds but they were mostly with my RE. As far as "normal" ultrasounds with the ob, I had one at 8w for their dating scan. I also am having one around 12w for the NT test as @LGW2015 mentioned. After that, I believe it's the 20w scan that everyone gets.

PeggyOlsonFTW · March 2016

The midwife did one on a small handheld machine (baby was hard to see and she couldn't measure the heartbeat, just assure us that it was there) at 8+2 and we're electing to do the NT scan at 12 weeks. It's not just for high risk patients. You could call your OB and ask if they offer it, but definitely check with your health insurance and see if they cover it first. Then, I'll get the anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks and that should be it. With DS, I had one more the day before my due date because I suddenly starting measuring large and my OB wanted to see if everything was ok in there.

Blonde1817 · March 2016

@PeggyOlsonFTW Thanks, I will definitely look into that. She gave me a sheet with options for testing and the codes for insurance so I'll have to call and see if it's covered.

@LGW2015 I didn't realize there is another way they check for a heartbeat, that makes me feel a lot better!

br0co1ii · March 2016

I had my viability scan at 6w5d. I'll have an NT scan at 13w (I'm AMA so I think it's standard for me.) And then the likely final one at 18w. Since I have to have my US done at a separate facility from my OB due to insurance reasons, my OB already gave me a script for all 3 that I turned in at the first US.

kmalls · March 2016

I had a dating ultrasound at 7w5d, and we're electing to do the NT scan at 13w. Other than that, we'll have the anatomy scan at 20 weeks and that's it!

For what it's worth, at my practice they check the heartbeat via handheld Doppler at every appt.

UponAStar16 · March 2016

I will be having a lot of ultrasounds but I'm high risk and it seems like there's a wide range of how many tests women have throughout pregnancy. From what I know, some may have one ultrasound total while others will have them something like twice weekly later in pregnancy. I would just ask your doctor about what tests you should expect and explore your options, although it seems odd that you have to call your insurance to find out what is covered rather than medical billing or other staff doing that for the doctor...plus, coverage for certain tests depends on the input the doctor provides. Regardless, congratulations on your first u/s and heartbeat!

SuperNerd42 · March 2016

My first pregnancy would have just been the one u/s but we had an early one after some bleeding issues. This time around, with loss history and irregular cycles I had one at 5w5d, and will have another at 7w for viability. I'm not sure if she'll want to order another before the 20w or not. I guess I will find out on Friday!

E=Mc3 · March 2016

I will have my first ultrasound at 9-10 weeks. Then I won't have another until 20-22 weeks when I also have to go for genetic testing/counseling. I am not going to allow them to do amniocentesis or any other invasive test. I will get the blood test if insurance pays even part of it. Otherwise, they can kiss my ass. I am overall very healthy and have no truly bad habits health wise. If the blood test isn't an option, I'll take my chances. I think they are pretty good even at my age.

luckykent1123 · March 2016

Hi there I'm a sonographer.

One usg to do dating and hear fhr. Best 7-9 weeks
If you have bleeding or crampig or history of MC it could be earlier

One at 11-13 weeks is offered to everyone for generic testing. Its called a first screen. If your over 35 you are AMA and can have a little more detailed testing called panorama. This is elective. You should ask for it if your interested and they didn't mention it.

The there is an anatomy scam when most people find out gender. 18-22 weeks

Then everything else is depending on your age, any issues found, your high risk factors etc.

Hope this helps

toastybecca · March 2016

I have my first ultrasound this Tuesday at 9 weeks to double check on dating as my period was a little irregular since going off the pill a few months ago. I'm really looking forward to it! My OB does another one at 12 weeks as standard practice. This is my first pregnancy and so far so good other than this constant nausea since 6 weeks! Blech!

mrsman2018 · March 2016

I will only get one ultrasound and that is on May 20 at 20 weeks. I only get one ultrasound because the pregnancy seems normal and they only do them here if there is a cause for concern. So there is no way I am waiting 20 weeks to announce. I have no appointment to hear the heartbeat, but my next Dr appt is at 13 weeks and he will try to find the heart beat with a doppler. This is very frustrating to me because this is my first pregnancy and I want some reassurance.

lunamishka · March 2016

I think my OB does a dating at the first appt and then nothing until the AS at 20 weeks. With my previous I went to a midwife and the only did the anatomy scan.

KenderTas06 · March 2016

I go for my first appointment tomorrow. I'll be 8 weeks. They'll do an ultrasound at that appointment. I'm not sure when I'll have another one. This is my first pregnancy.

nlane0723 · March 2016

I've had one at 5w, 7w, and 8w. I have one this Thursday at 9w and I have another one scheduled for 12w. I'm seeing an RE and having twins. More monitoring is involved.

AshleyGemini24 · March 2016

Still waiting for my 1st ultrasound in a week and a half. That will put me at 10+2.

Blonde1817 · March 2016

@luckykent1123 Thanks, it is so helpful to hear it from that perspective! I'm not AMA and considered low risk, so that's probably why they didn't offer that to me. I think I'll be fine without it as long as I can hear the heartbeat on the doppler. We decided we are going to go ahead and do the genetic testing (verifi by Progenity) even if insurance doesn't cover it, it's less than $100 out of pocket anyways.

sportiegrl1213 · March 2016

I will be 8.5 weeks for my first u/s next Wednesday the 16th. And since I'm over 35 I will be getting a few more here there and the 19 week Cadillac of u/s done at the hospital which the nurse said is about 45 min long.

wegme27 · March 2016

My first one is scheduled for next Monday and I'll be 8w1d. My last pregnancy they did one at 8 weeks, 15 and 20. Also had multiple ultrasounds after that due to being high risk.

Meszaros1 · March 2016

I'm 8w1d and my first ultrasound won't be until I'm 12w3d. Driving me crazy to have to wait that long! Doctor said I didn't need a dating ultrasound because I knew my dates

dlwright · March 2016

My first ultrasound is in 2 days, at 9 weeks 6 days ("10 week scan"). Thats my first appointment. If they still do it the same as during my last pregnancy, Ill have another between 18-20 weeks (anatomy scan) and another around 32 weeks I think.

dam0ne4 · March 2016

I have the NT scan at 12 weeks and then the anatomy scan at 20ish. My doctor also doesn't do a dating ultrasound if you're sure of your dates. I'm trying not to be too anxious, but I'm dying to know what's in there.

So much different from the last time around when we were dealing with IF - I had like 2 ultrasounds by 8 weeks!

kelliott09 · March 2016

My doctor does a u/s at 7, 12, 20 & 35 weeks. I'm 35 now so I'm not sure if that will change any this time around but I'm up for seeing baby as many times as I can!

Also, to echo what everyone else has said, he does check the heartbeat with a Doppler at every appt.

kateleap · March 2016

I had one at 6w for viability/dating after our loss last year, and then ended up having one at 8w due to bleeding issues that turned out to be a minor, no-risk hematoma. We had a quick doppler visit to hear the heartbeat Friday, more of a "peace of mind" visit since I'd had a little bit of continued spotting, and I'm 10w1d today. Our first 'full' appointment is this coming Friday, so 10w5d, and they told us to expect another u/s for our 10 week scan. After that, I think it will be a long while until our next little photo shoot!

waterfall213 · March 2016

I'll have the NT scan around 12 weeks, the anatomy scan between 18-20, then an ultrasound every other week starting at 30 weeks because I'm high-risk due to a previous loss.

Mia8668 · March 2016

My first is at 9w6d

MzOro82214 · March 2016

This is the first time I have Kaiser insurance with this baby so I'm not 100% sure how often but I know I'm definitely getting my first one this Thursday at 8+1. The next might not be until 20 weeks, but I'm gonna ask when I see the doc this week.

freckledlemonade · March 2016

I had my first today, then the only other one for now is 20 weeks for the a/s. The NT scan is optional, and I will probably skip it just because if there were any red flags I wouldn't go through with an amnio, so we'll wait until the a/s and hope for a healthy baby.
DD was a large baby (9lb7oz) and the ob today said they would monitor the size later in pregnancy to make sure this one doesn't get too large. So that may mean more ultrasounds closer to due date? Or not, I'm not entirely sure what that meant, but I was pretty clear that I wanted to avoid induction and she admitted that weight estimates are often not too accurate. Hoping it doesn't become an issue.

ETA: I assume we'll hear the heartbeat with a dopper at each appointment just like with dd. Seems pretty standard.

greenlia · March 2016

I'll get one if I want one or if they can't find a heartbeat with the Doppler (likely based on my history) or if we can't decide on a due date (but my OB pretty much lets me choose) at my first appt next week (which will be 9 weeks and change). Then nothing until 20 weeks, and I've had a late u/s in each of my previous pregnancies because I grow 'em big.

ashleyp625 · March 2016

I had my first yesterday at 9+2 for dating and will have one at the anatomy scan. I think that's it, unless there's a problem. She did say that we will hear the hb at all appointments from here on out.

newmomtobeLA · March 2016

@Blonde1817 I was originally only going to get another at 18/20 weeks but since I signed up for the spina bifida/down syndrome non invasive test then they do another one at 12/13 weeks. You can also go to a 3D ultrasound place. My friend did that at 13 weeks because you can find out the sex at 13 weeks with a 3D ultrasound. She said they were actually very reasonably priced - not sure if you have them available in your area.

brzvice · March 2016

I had my 1st (8week) appointment today- I basically was given a due date and answered a lot of medical and family history questions. I had blood, urine and glucose testing ordered that is due for my next appointment at 12 weeks. I will get to hear the heartbeat at 12 weeks but will not have an ultrasound until 18 weeks.

mothernorth · March 2016

I don't even know yet. Ugh.

clb1984 · March 2016

I had one at what we thought was 7 wks because I'd had spotting and cramps, but they could only see a sac. Went back last week and there was a baby and a heartbeat, measuring 7wks, so i was 2 weeks behind where I thought. I just had my midwife appointment and the next one should be12 weeks then 20 as long as all goes well:)

jkmix21 · March 2016

Mine is Monday, March 14th! I've waited a long month for this appt... Very excited!

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