How was your anatomy scan?

1faceinacrowd · March 2016

I know a TON of us are having our anatomy scans in the coming days/weeks, or have already had them, so I thought maybe we could start a thread of updates from everyone who has had theirs done? It can be a nerve-racking experience so I'm excited to hear how everyone's went!

Post anything you'd like to share - how it went, what the doctor said, whether or not baby moved a bunch/cooperated, advice for other mamas going into their A/S, etc.

I can't wait to see how everybody's ultrasounds went! Positive vibes all around!

Curls919 · March 2016

Ours is next week. But I'll say, if you can, have both you and SO take time off to both go and let work know it may take a while if the baby is uncooperative. DS was actually pretty good (took a while to get him to open his hand but that's it). We were out after about an hour. I told work it may take 2. So DH and I went out for an early lunch before heading to work. One of my favorite memories from that time

tmk0325 · March 2016

Since we are having twins we actually got to have an early anatomy scan last week at 16 weeks.

Both babies cooperated and we were able to get almost all of the information needed on both of them. We have another ultrasound scheduled at 20 weeks and they will check what they couldn't see at 16 weeks. Mainly the nose/lips and a couple other smaller things. They both were measuring a day or two ahead and had strong heartbeats in the 150s. We did find out at that time that they are sharing a placenta and my placenta is anterior. It was cool to see them moving around and they were kicking each other towards the end of the scan! My OB said they look fantastic and are doing great at this time! We are opting not to find out the sexes also.

No more Miss! · March 2016

Counting down the days until mine: 13! Ah!
DH and I took the day off last time as it did last a while.
I was so nervous every about seeing the baby (and seeing it move) that I followed bad advice to eat Oreos and drink oj before the u/s. Bad advice because laying down for so long, I threw up in the middle of the exam. Ugh.
Anyways I won't be doing that again!
Good luck mommas!

runsoncoffee · March 2016

Ours is technically not scheduled til the 28th, but we had an unexpected ultrasound last week and they check almost everything. I had never seen one before so I was really amazed at how much you could see! I also have an anterior placenta which explains why I still haven't felt anything at over 19 weeks! A funny story is that each time they tried to look for the sex, the baby had his hands in his crotch! Lol, after the tech finally confirmed she said she figured it was a boy since girls don't usually have their hands down there. Hubby and I thought it was hilarious and can't wait to tell that story when we finally share with our families that we're having a boy! The best part is we still have to go back for our originally scheduled anatomy scan on the 28th so we'll get to see the little one twice

maryellenmchill · March 2016

Mine is scheduled for Friday and I'm alternating between super excited and super terrified!

cait5413 · March 2016

Had ours yesterday! Baby looks great and the tech did check everything, even though baby was not really cooperating--curled up into a little ball. Baby is breech right now, but nose, heart, brain, kidneys, and everything look good! It's amazing all you can see. I was a little surprised how firmly the tech pushed the wand into my abdomen, and she kept trying to poke baby with it to get baby to move/shift positions. My abdomen is still a little tender when I press on it today because she was kind of slamming it on there! My husband said he was surprised how vigorous she was being and no wonder baby was curled up so tightly, saying "Leave me the eff alone!" I think it also helped make it more real for him to see baby moving around in there.

Mrsrundell · March 2016

We had ours last Thursday and I was a nervous wreck leading up to it. I hadn't had many symptoms through out and hadn't felt the baby move yet (still haven't) so I was really worried they were going to say something wasn't going properly. Our appointment was the first of the day and the Dr had 3 techs with him that were training so, he was taking lots of snapshots showing us everything - brain, spine, heart chambers, umbilical cord, etc in every position possible to teach the techs.

They were cooing and so excited for us every time a new image popped up. It was really cute. The dr printed out a ton of pictures for us and even switched it over to 3D for a few shots of the face.

He moved the screen away from my husband and showed me that it was a boy and I started crying a bit - it was quite overwhelming- and DH is jumping up and down going what is it?!!! I forgot he couldn't see so I yelled out its a BOY!! And everyone started clapping and cheering, lol. lots of fun and emotions. It is fun to buy clothes now and actually call baby by name - John Arthur the Third!

jmknox · March 2016

Mine was only OK at best.... We almost had a throw down with the imaging facility (since I'm at a birth center they use outside imaging facilities) because the dating U/s they told DH that he had to wait in a room first, they would check everything and THEN let him come in. They made him sit in a changing room, basically a closet!!! We were a bit pissed. So when the anatomy scan came around we both put our foot down and demanded that he stay in the room. The tech said we couldn't do that and left us standing in a hallway for 5 min while she went to go get her radiologist superior. He tried to tell us the same thing, that he couldn't be in the room bc he didn't want the tech getting "distracted" while she did her job. To which I replied, he won't ask any questions and if you won't let him come back we will go somewhere else because I don't feel comfortable with him out of the room. ( so mad) I explained to him that I'm a medical professional as well and have also had previous children and couldn't understand why their policy is as such..... The FINALLY agreed to let him stay but only if he didn't ask any questions and stayed quiet. I laid there in silence as the poured the cold gel on and tried not to cry from getting so worked up -- what was supposed to be a joyous occasion as well as nerve wracking because alls we wanted was to know we have a healthy baby was pretty much ruined for me by their staff... That and they were 40 min behind.... Drink 32 oz of water 30 min before your appt they said.... Good thing i only drank half that.... Hope allllllll you ladies experiences were so much better than mine!!!

Hummingbird125 · March 2016

Omg @jmknox - what a silly policy, I would have been super upset about that too!

i have my anatomy scan tomorrow and while I've gone back and forth on which sex I'm "hoping for" - I've definitely reached panic mode and now all I need to hear is that baby looks 100% healthy. It's been 7 long weeks since we had an ultrasound, and I cannot wait to see how the little one looks now!

jamiesc58 · March 2016

Mine isn't scheduled until April 5th and I am so impatiently waiting! Time always goes by so fast unless you are waiting for something like this. I can't wait!!!

mumblefrog86 · March 2016

Mine is tomorrow, I am so nervous. I have had the stomach flu the last few days and I hope baby is ok. If all is good I am also hoping we will find out the sex

MSUgrad12 · March 2016

@jmknox I'm so sorry! What a terrible policy!

squishy0511 · March 2016

@jamiesc58 mine's april 4th! Time is going by so slow!!

tmk0325 · March 2016

jmknox said:

Mine was only OK at best.... We almost had a throw down with the imaging facility (since I'm at a birth center they use outside imaging facilities) because the dating U/s they told DH that he had to wait in a room first, they would check everything and THEN let him come in. They made him sit in a changing room, basically a closet!!! We were a bit pissed. So when the anatomy scan came around we both put our foot down and demanded that he stay in the room. The tech said we couldn't do that and left us standing in a hallway for 5 min while she went to go get her radiologist superior. He tried to tell us the same thing, that he couldn't be in the room bc he didn't want the tech getting "distracted" while she did her job. To which I replied, he won't ask any questions and if you won't let him come back we will go somewhere else because I don't feel comfortable with him out of the room. ( so mad) I explained to him that I'm a medical professional as well and have also had previous children and couldn't understand why their policy is as such..... The FINALLY agreed to let him stay but only if he didn't ask any questions and stayed quiet. I laid there in silence as the poured the cold gel on and tried not to cry from getting so worked up -- what was supposed to be a joyous occasion as well as nerve wracking because alls we wanted was to know we have a healthy baby was pretty much ruined for me by their staff... That and they were 40 min behind.... Drink 32 oz of water 30 min before your appt they said.... Good thing i only drank half that.... Hope allllllll you ladies experiences were so much better than mine!!!

Omg I would of been pissed too!! I've never heard of such a thing! On a different note, how was the baby?

Cshau · March 2016

Ours went great!! We brought along our 8 year old twins and they enjoyed watching it and seeing their little sister (!!!) wiggle all around. The tech did a great job at involving them and showing them what things were.
Baby girl looks great and is right on track for her due date.

SkiChic626 · March 2016

jmknox said:

Mine was only OK at best.... We almost had a throw down with the imaging facility (since I'm at a birth center they use outside imaging facilities) because the dating U/s they told DH that he had to wait in a room first, they would check everything and THEN let him come in. They made him sit in a changing room, basically a closet!!! We were a bit pissed. So when the anatomy scan came around we both put our foot down and demanded that he stay in the room. The tech said we couldn't do that and left us standing in a hallway for 5 min while she went to go get her radiologist superior. He tried to tell us the same thing, that he couldn't be in the room bc he didn't want the tech getting "distracted" while she did her job. To which I replied, he won't ask any questions and if you won't let him come back we will go somewhere else because I don't feel comfortable with him out of the room. ( so mad) I explained to him that I'm a medical professional as well and have also had previous children and couldn't understand why their policy is as such..... The FINALLY agreed to let him stay but only if he didn't ask any questions and stayed quiet. I laid there in silence as the poured the cold gel on and tried not to cry from getting so worked up -- what was supposed to be a joyous occasion as well as nerve wracking because alls we wanted was to know we have a healthy baby was pretty much ruined for me by their staff... That and they were 40 min behind.... Drink 32 oz of water 30 min before your appt they said.... Good thing i only drank half that.... Hope allllllll you ladies experiences were so much better than mine!!!

That's craziness! I've never heard of such a thing for an ultrasound, the partners are always allowed in with you. At the place we're going to, if we wanted we could bring DD with us as long as DH is there to watch her.

Our anatomy scan is on Monday morning. We're not planning anything special, just gonna go and then head off to work. Then on Tuesday DD and I are off to FL for a week, DH will be joining us a couple days later :-) We already know it's a boy from a 16w elective scan at one of those fancy ultrasound places where they give you DVDs and a stuffed animal with the hb and all that. The only thing I'm concerned about is his heart....DD's hb was a very steady whooshing sound every time. This time, DS's heartbeat sounds more like a train going over tracks. It's steady, but it almost sounds like it has an extra beat. I have no idea if this is normal or not. That's how it sounded when my OB listened this week and she didn't say anything, so I guess I shouldn't be concerned, but still, it's much different than what DD's sounded like so I'm worried. I also have a heart murmur, and with IVF babies they have you do a fetal echo because the risk of heart defects is increased for some reason. So all these things have me that much more worried.

mumblefrog86 · March 2016

@jmknox This is the policy for all our US clinics here. they do not let anyone else in the room until they are done they the person can come in and they show us the baby. Even me I can't even see the screen until the tech is done what they need to do. I have been to many clinics here and they all have the same policy, I think it is so the techs can get everything they need before any questions are asked.

BritMC18 · March 2016

Had our 20 week/anatomy scan yesterday. We already knew it was a girl from the genetic testing, but it was nice having them re-confirm that. Everything looked good. I was a nervous wreck going in since I hadn't felt anything, but the doctor explained this was due to the position of the placenta (anterior, I think - in the front). We don't have another one for 2 months, so I know I'm going to be going stir-crazy until then.

cait5413 · March 2016

mumblefrog86 said:

@jmknox This is the policy for all our US clinics here. they do not let anyone else in the room until they are done they the person can come in and they show us the baby. Even me I can't even see the screen until the tech is done what they need to do. I have been to many clinics here and they all have the same policy, I think it is so the techs can get everything they need before any questions are asked.

This seems so insane to me. Have they really had that many problems with spouses distracting the techs?

Tnallen107 · March 2016

cait5413 said:

mumblefrog86 said:

@jmknox This is the policy for all our US clinics here. they do not let anyone else in the room until they are done they the person can come in and they show us the baby. Even me I can't even see the screen until the tech is done what they need to do. I have been to many clinics here and they all have the same policy, I think it is so the techs can get everything they need before any questions are asked.

This seems so insane to me. Have they really had that many problems with spouses distracting the techs?

My scan isn't until next week, (the 23rd) but they sent home a paper stating that same policy, and that after that scan my spouse will be allowed in and we will receive a full overview of the findings. I'm not sure if they will stick with it, but that was stated on the paperwork. I kind of get it, but I feel like if my husband is allowed in for my heart echos, then he should be allowed in for this. Oh well, not worth fighting over I suppose!

Hummingbird125 · March 2016

I really don't understand that policy at all. How "distracting" is a spouse if he/she is told to please sit there quietly until told otherwise? Last time I had a regular appointment, it took the nurse a little longer than usually to find the heartbeat, and I was FREAKING out on the inside and about to cry. Having DH there when I reached out my hand for him made that momentary panic just a little more bearable, and he didn't say a word. As difficult and lonely as pregnancy can be sometimes, it seems ridiculous to not allow someone's biggest source of support to be next to them during an important moment like that.

jamiesc58 · March 2016

Our ultrasound tech does the work on her computer and it is all playing on a screen that hangs on the wall for us to see. Dh and our kids can come. Basically anyone you want as long as you don't go overboard and overfill the room. Even though I love it, I can understand why they wouldn't want anyone seeing until they have confirmed everything is ok. I cannot even imagine what dh or I would do if we could see on the screen that something is wrong.

Hummingbird125 · March 2016

@jamiesc58 - My dr's office is set up the same way. I sort of wish they didn't turn on the wall screen until confirming everything looked okay, but I also like seeing baby's heartbeat right away. However, even if they didn't turn on that screen, I still think it would be nervewracking to just wait for them to determine whether everything looks good, and if it doesn't - what happens? They leave you alone in the room while they go and get a doctor? Even if we didn't know if/what what wrong, I'm sure I'd want to have DH there.

DressageDarling · March 2016

I had my scan today and everything went really well! DH took the day off to go with me. Found out baby was a boy and everything was measuring right on time for our EDD. He wouldn't keep his hands off of his face so I have to go in again in a month to try and get some shots of his nose and lips. I also found out I have an anterior placenta which explains why I haven't felt anything yet.

ramoseecology · March 2016

I had my scan this morning and everything looks great! Such a relief! The tech set up a screen next to us so we could see immediately everything and as soon as she got started we saw the baby move which helped my anxiety which was building the last few weeks. It was really amazing to see it all the parts--brain, spine, legs, arms, stomach, etc. Oh and it's a boy! My husband is a bit shell shocked (he was imagining a girl) but it was obvious pretty quickly. Baby didn't want to show his face--he mostly hung out in a lounging position with ankles crossed and arms behind his head. The few time he kicked, and didn't just squirm around, he kicked my placenta since he's head down. I haven't felt anything yet but hopefully soon since I have a typical posterior placenta. It has made it feel much more real now for me and feels crazy to know I'll have a little boy.

TCUFrog08 · March 2016

My scan isn't until 3/30. I am glad to know that most people are nervous before going in. I have high anxiety during this pregnancy and just attributed it to that. I can't wait!

DressageDarling · March 2016

lgem4 said:

DressageDarling said:

I had my scan today and everything went really well! DH took the day off to go with me. Found out baby was a boy and everything was measuring right on time for our EDD. He wouldn't keep his hands off of his face so I have to go in again in a month to try and get some shots of his nose and lips. I also found out I have an anterior placenta which explains why I haven't felt anything yet.

We have to go back next week for the same reason. She kept her arm across her forehead (like chilling in my uterus is so hard! lol) the whole time. They were able to count her fingers but could barely get a profile shot. They said they're pretty confident everything is fine but just want a better shot. We don't mind seeing again tho! Hopefully she cooperates this time, last time we were there for 2 hours.

Same here! This would have been my last ultrasound, so it'll be nice to see the baby again. I hope both our babies cooperate!

ramoseecology · March 2016

@DressageDarling @lgem4
That happened to me as well--he kept hiding his face with his arm or against my cervix or placenta so only at the very end did we get a brief peek. It wasn't a great shot but my doctor said she doesn't schedule you for another one if that's what they can't see. Enjoy your next ultrasounds!

kcolly32 · March 2016

Mine isn't until 3/30, and the wait is taking forever! I'm anxious to see the baby again but nervous they might find something wrong. Glad to hear most of you have had good scans though!

JournoGrl23 · March 2016

My anatomy scan isn't until March 31. And the last time I had an ultrasound was 8 weeks so I'm really anxious for it!

jmknox · March 2016

Thanks ladies. I just can't see why if they say, "Please hold your questions until I am done with this intitial scanning as I don't want to miss anything".... why it would be a big deal. Also not having the SO wait in a closet would be great as well. My appointment with my midwife was right after that and they said they have had issues with this before. Meh. It is done.

msmajic · March 2016

We are also opting out but our tech said he is looking good so I don't know if she said it on accident or she is just used to he. I am just curious what did your tech refered the baby as?

pelorunningmama · March 2016

Mine isn't until April 1, but I'm glad to hear everyone is having good experiences!

I'm pretty nervous going into it since my anatomy scan for DD gave us a scare. For DD they did my scan and the ultrasound tech made it seem like all was well, so I sent DH husband home so he didn't have to sit through the doctor appointment after. At my appointment the doctor began a conversation with "Do not google this, but you need to see a specialist about possible echogenic bowel." I had never heard of that before, so of course I got back to work and started googling. Needless to say, my DH will be staying with me the entire time this go round.

Everything was fine with DD. I just had to wait several weeks to get in to a specialist. Not fun.

WinnieLou82 · March 2016

Had the scan this morning and everything is great, healthy and on track.

And, it's a girl!

The tech was cute and asked what I thought it was... I had been thinking girl and half way through the scan she said, "well, I think your guess is right!" Then confirmed it later. We're thrilled!

maryellenmchill · March 2016

Just had ours this morning!
I was a nervous wreck going into it. I actually started crying when I walked into the room! History of miscarriage and I'm a relatively high-risk pregnancy (epileptic). The technician was very understanding and everything went smoothly. I have to go back in 2 weeks because baby wasn't being very cooperative (they need better views of the brain, heart, and face). Feeling so much better now!
As a side note - my husband was able to come back with me, and we were asking questions the whole time. Maybe it is different from place to place?

Wolfie646 · March 2016

Well apparently I drank too much water before my US - not to mention they didn't tell me I had to go to radiology for my apt and not Ob area, so we started almost an hour late. My bladder was so big it hurt, and was crushing my baby! I had to leave to pee twice because it started filling up again later. She's apparently really active, she mentioned once the doctor/radiologist looked at everything they'd let me know if I had to come back in, if they didn't think pics were clear enough. I got a call about scheduling an US so guess I've got to do it again. Plus side of it all we saw some really cool images of her, and funny enough that we saw our little girl picking her nose!

Hummingbird125 · March 2016

Had mine this afternoon. I had to see a MFM for this (and for the NT Scan), instead of my regular OB. He actually performed this scan himself. He looked at everything - head, brain, arms, legs, hands, feet, even kidneys and stomach - and looked at arteries, which was so cool! He said everything looked like it was developing normally. Finally he said "I just have a couple of images left to get, then we'll be done" so I asked "Um, do you think we'll get to know the sex?"

Without taking his his eyes off the screen, he quickly said "it looks like a boy" - so anticlimactic!! I wasn't even facing my husband at the time. He got the final few images, and again told us everything looked good, and asked me if I had any questions. I said "so..a boy, right?" (I wanted to be sure!!!) and he said "yes, and a HEALTHY baby."

Like dude, OBVIOUSLY that is the most important thing, but once I hear everything looks good, don't judge me for wanting to know what it is!

tmk0325 · March 2016

Wolfie646 said:

Well apparently I drank too much water before my US - not to mention they didn't tell me I had to go to radiology for my apt and not Ob area, so we started almost an hour late. My bladder was so big it hurt, and was crushing my baby! I had to leave to pee twice because it started filling up again later. She's apparently really active, she mentioned once the doctor/radiologist looked at everything they'd let me know if I had to come back in, if they didn't think pics were clear enough. I got a call about scheduling an US so guess I've got to do it again. Plus side of it all we saw some really cool images of her, and funny enough that we saw our little girl picking her nose!

I peed three times during mine! It also took almost two hours cause there are two.

AliKay20 · March 2016

Sorry to hear the no-spouse policy!! My DH has been with me to every appt. so far (luckily his job is semi-flexible) & I have to say, the anatomy scan was the most anxious yet precious appt. for us. I almost held my breath each time tech was going over specific areas of our Peanut until tech would confirm all 10 fingers, toes, etc. DH held my hand knowing how anxious I was and he didn't say much but tear up or laugh at our Peanut and just be in the moment. We felt such a connection with her as the tech showed her to us in every detail possible. The machine later showed baby in 4D and we were able to see her much clearly (looks like daddy already)!!

This was at the antenatal testing center (part of the hospital I'll deliver at) but I don't know why the policy would be any different at an outside imaging center. It's such an emotional moment for both mom & dad to be a part of. Hope all goes well for those that have upcoming scans.

mamabear0618 · March 2016

We had ours on Wednesday!! It was such an amazing experience. I made sure my hubby took time off work to come with me.

Baby was super cooperative and we even got a super cute 3D picture of his little face. It is amazing how clearly you can see his little features. The tech said everything looks perfect and he is measuring right on schedule at 20 weeks and weighing 12 oz. Good luck to everyone heading in to theirs scans.

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