3rd Trimester
sinclair-2
member
Are all these ultrasounds really necessary????
sinclair-2
member
Hi, I'm hoping someone else has gone through this and feel the same way. I am 28 weeks and when I went in for my anatomy scan, baby was measuring 1 week behind. I got referred to a specialist for another more detailed ultrasound and she was still measuring 1 week behind. I just went back (4 weeks later) and she is still 1 week behind but the growth rate is normal. All other blood work I've had done has come back with no issues. They now want me to come back EVERY WEEK for a scan until 32 weeks to monitor growth then start coming 2 x week! My pregnancy has been great so far, no issues, baby is moving a ton and I am planning a natural, holistic birth. All these scans are literally the opposite of how I wanted my pregnancy to go. I went from just seeing midwives and talking with a doula to this super traditional route with seeing this dr all the time. I'm really frustrated and feel like this is totally unnecessary. I'm a low risk pregnancy and I DO NOT want to be induced unless deemed absolutely necessary. I'm worried this dr. is working on her own agenda and just trying to gouge money from the insurance company. I'm thinking of getting a second opinion and telling the dr. I don't want anymore ultrasounds, at least not weekly! Anyone gone through this or have any advise?
Re: Are all these ultrasounds really necessary????
Did you have a dating scan at 8-10 weeks? Or any other early scans, like an NT scan? If not, and if you aren't 100% certain of your ovulation date, I don't feel like it is at all weird for you to be measuring a week behind...you could have just ovulated later than day 14, which a lot of women, myself included, do pretty regularly.
Did the doctor notice anything else amiss other than simply measuring behind? by this late in the pregnancy, babies tend to grow at different rates, so dating by ultrasound isn't as accurate as it is early on. I would call the doctor/midwives and ask them what their specific concerns are that are causing them to want so many ultrasounds. if all they can come up with is "you're measuring a week behind" I'd find another doctor. But if there are other issues that they have seen red flags for, which is entirely possible, you should absolutely have the ultrasounds that they are requesting. You need to try to stay calm and ask a lot of questions so that you have the whole story here. Maybe bring your partner or a friend with you to ask the questions, if you don't think you can keep your thoughts together in the moment.
I really don't think reputable doctors have "agendas" or that they are "working the insurance company," but if you feel like this specific doctor is behaving that way I would suggest you get a second opinion elsewhere. Did they mention induction? You bring that up here, but if your baby is measuring behind and is otherwise healthy, I doubt that they're immediately jumping to induction...it seems to me that they'd want the baby to stay in there as long as possible unless there are other medical issues present. The only people I know that were induced prior to 41 weeks were induced for serious medical concerns.
Try to calm down, and get to the bottom of this as best you can. Your focus shouldn't be on avoiding induction and having an unmedicated birth right now - it should be on making sure there are no serious issues with you or your unborn baby that would cause medical professionals to want to closely monitor you. And if there are issues present, you should follow medical advice for dealing with them.
Go go ahead and ask, or get your second opinion, but be glad they are checking on you.
TW: Loss:
First one (1lb 3oz at 28 weeks) didn't make it because I was "low risk" and no one caught it. I wish I had more scans, they could have saved her.
Due to that, I had many scans for my 2nd. They caught it and took her out before it was too late (1lb 15oz at 30 weeks).
I understand you didn't want this kind of pregnancy, but really, it isn't as important as making sure baby is healthy. A second opinion is never a bad idea, but I doubt your dr is trying to get money, they've just seen things go badly before and just want to make sure this baby goes home with you.
From your post it sounds like you are mostly concerned about your birth plan. Your main concern right now should be on your baby. Please try and remember that a healthy baby trumps a natural and holistic birth plan. It is entirely possible they are seeing something that warrants weekly monitoring for your baby's sake. Maybe they are being overly cautious but it is the doctor's job to be thorough. God forbid something bad gets missed that could have been caught via ultrasound. Most doctors are not really interested in wasting their time and resources monitoring women who really don't need it.