How many ultrasounds??

jastock20 · April 2016

Hello ladies just left my first ob appt and I was concerned that my ob only does 4 total ultrasounds through the 9 months.... seems like there should be more?? How many does your ob do??

princesslockness · April 2016

My first OB only did the 20 week Anatomy Scan. This new practice does a 12w, 20w, and a 28w scan. If there are issues at any of those, then I can be prescribed more.

One of my friends who was pregnant same time as I was last round, she didn't have a single scan as she was with a midwife practice.

All that to say, 4 is more than most. Unless you are high risk or were with a Fertility Specialist 4 is a lot.

ETA: Clarity and info about friend.

queenklau · April 2016

Agreed. 3 is the standard. 12,20 and 35ish.

But as others have said, if you have high risk/previous mc history, then more are added. I am on that boat, I would much rather wait for u/s than be stressed out about being high risk...

doodleoodle · April 2016

My practice only does 2 if all is well. A dating scan between 10-12 weeks and an anatomy scan to check for abnormalities at 18-20 weeks.

cjt121413 · April 2016

4 is more than usual. With DS, I got 3.

Keep in mind, some women on this board have a lot of ultrasounds. That is because many of us have experienced a prior loss, have struggled with infertility and had to see a reproductive endocrinologist, or have experienced bleeding or some sort of concern during this pregnancy. Please don't judge your experience based on what you see with others on this board.

Gizmo1231 · April 2016

I think 4 is more than most. Last pregnancy with DS I received like 10... but I was high risk because of having cancer. The more U/S doesn't always mean the better- typically it's because the OB is monitoring something of concern.

Kacie209 · April 2016

Good info everyone, as I didn't even know how many u/s would actually be done in the 40 weeks.

I know my mom keeps telling me that back when I was born, you rarely did an u/s, as it wasn't the norm those days unless something was wrong. Obviously times have changed, but she thinks it's crazy how many they do now... even if it just 3-4 if you don't need others done.

AKremer · April 2016

With my first pregnancy I had 2 ultrasounds. one in the beginning to date and then an anatomy scan around 18 weeks. That being said DH and I did not elect to do any genetic screening. Now after having 2 losses in the last 7 months I'm 8 weeks today I've had 2 US so far and have another one scheduled for next week. It's all based on your risk and history. Don't stress mama. In cases like this... less is truly more.

sourlemon · April 2016

I had 6 my first pregnancy because I had issues and the baby was suspected to have issues. This time I'll have 2...dating scan (last week) and anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I loved to see the baby at all of them last time but it was super stressful because the reasons for them. I'm hoping to only have the 2 this go around and not have issues.

JEM525 · April 2016

3 is the standard at my OB. I got to see my DS every two weeks though because of spotting and then the ultrasound tech thought something was wrong, a few times. They boy got a lot of photos taken of him, but came out perfectly healthy in the end.

penelope4612 · April 2016

My doctors office only requires one (the anatomy scan) and you have the option of the 12 week scan if you want genetic testing. That's it. I had 2 early on bc of a prior ectopic pregnancy (to make sure the baby is in my uterus and not my tube). I have not heard of them recommending a scan after the anatomy scan unless there is a concern.

princesslockness · April 2016

@penelope4612 my 28 week scan is because my family has diabetes through out and chronic high blood pressure. I also had eclampsia last time, so it will be checking on babies size and stress levels.

PharmDMom · April 2016

Only two for me. Dating ultrasound at 7-9 weeks and 20 week anatomy scan.

dmontgo · April 2016

I only get 2, one for dating purposes and then one for anatomy. First scan will be at almost 9 weeks, but I'm not sure when the next one would be.

Mamax2 · April 2016

I've had 2 so far this pregnancy. I know I have at leadt 3 more to go. With DD, I had one every time I had an appt. That was because I had a previous loss, and was considered high risk due to high blood pressure, and a family history of diabetes. Also add on that I had cramping off and on pretty much my whole pregnancy with her. An ultrasound at every appt was stressful as all get out.

ashleaf2018 · April 2016

Some insurances will only cover 1-2 depending on level of risk. As for my OB I think she does a 12 week, 20 week, and then the optional 3D ultrasound but their office will only do it if you pay for it out of pocket or your insurance covers it. I don't think most insurances do cover the 3D, but I could be wrong about that.

DiFazette · April 2016

2-3 is average. Why would you think 4 isn't enough if you have a healthy, singleton pregnancy? They check the heartbeat with a Doppler each appointment and if you aren't bleeding or having complications there's no reason for more ultrasounds.

1982Babies · April 2016

I get one at 20 weeks. Last time, I paid and got the 3D scan at 28(?) weeks also.

emisi · April 2016

I had a ton last pregnancy because I was measuring large (yay fibroids) and my son had an enormous head, so they were making sure he'd be able to get out without assistance. I think my last three weeks I had four, and DS came 6 days early! I was pretty thankful he didn't go over though, he had a REALLY big head. I think it measure 32 cm? It was large, haha.

SmashJam · May 2016

First time around, without choosing genetic screening, mine would have only done two-one for anatomy and one when I hit 40 weeks to find out if there was a good amount of fluid still around the nugget and see if everything was going well. They didn't offer me a dating ultrasound that time as I was 100% on my dates. And I would not have gotten that second ultrasound if I went into labor without induction and before 40 weeks! I was with a midwife practice.

This time I'll get four: dating, screening, anatomy, and then when/if I hit 40 weeks.

beff12 · May 2016

4 seems like a lot to me. With DD I had the dating one, 20 weeks, and 36 weeks. Fingers crossed it will be the same this time around because that will mean that everything's going okay.

R0824H · May 2016

I've had 2 so far to check for viability and dating, if my doctor chooses to consider me low risk then I will have 3 more, one at 12, 20 and around 30ish I believe.

DumbledoresArmy · May 2016

I'm having a 6 week, 8 week, and 10 week, and then one for anatomy. It's only so many because I was seeing an RE for infertility.

FitTris · May 2016

With my sons, the only required was the 8 weeker & the 20 week anatomy scan. That being said, I had the 12 week scan that tests for Down syndrome markers with my 2nd (it's optional, but why not?)

with both, I was at risk for placenta previa & had to get rechecked at 28 weeks. That was a bonus scan. But nothing after that!

TheRealVeronicaSawyer · May 2016

I scheduled my first appointment with my Ob/Gyn on Monday afternoon. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have an ultrasound then. My RE also wants me to come in Monday morning for one last ultrasound in order to be released to my Ob/Gyn. Do you think it would be bad to have two ultrasounds in one day? Do they affect the baby at all? Sorry if this is a dumb question!!

doodleoodle · May 2016

TheRealVeronicaSawyer said:

I scheduled my first appointment with my Ob/Gyn on Monday afternoon. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have an ultrasound then. My RE also wants me to come in Monday morning for one last ultrasound in order to be released to my Ob/Gyn. Do you think it would be bad to have two ultrasounds in one day? Do they affect the baby at all? Sorry if this is a dumb question!!

There are mixed reviews on whether or not ultrasounds are uncomfortable for babies. I've Googled the heck out of it. Ultimately, I decided that if my doctor thinks it is necessary then it probably is.

comealongponds · May 2016

***Lurking***

@therealveronicasawyer I just had my NT scan at 13 weeks - baby B slept through most of it and totally ignored the US wand, baby A kicked and waved and rolled around whenever the tech pressed down with the wand. I think they can feel the pressure, but there's no major concerns with US hurting them. There's no studies (because of ethical concerns of testing on pregnant women and fetuses) and so docs prefer to limit exposure to only what is necessary but that said, women who see fertility specialists often have weekly ultrasounds for much of the first trimester without concern.

TheRealVeronicaSawyer · May 2016

Thanks @doodleoodle and @comealongponds for your replies. I had scheduled the OB/Gyn a few weeks ago and have been going in weekly for ultrasounds at my RE. I didn't even think of having two ultrasounds as a big deal until I started seeing things about women having too many.

kd1986 · May 2016

I had 3 with my first pregnancy - 9 weeks, 19 weeks, and then somewhere around 35 weeks but it was only to check if baby was breech (he wasn't, phew!)