No Week 12 Ultrasound :(

kateohtwo · February 2020

I have my week 12+ appt coming up in two days and just found out there will be no ultrasound until my 20 week appointment. I took this news harder than I expected. This is my first baby, and I just want a peek inside to know everything is OKAY.

Does/Did anyone else have this same issue, and am I just being crazy and anxious?

Katie

marfi236 · February 2020

I only had one ultrasound with my OB with my first pregnancy, the anatomy scan. I had to pay for an elective ultrasound just to see baby other times. I think that's pretty common.

samsonator · February 2020

I also am not having one. I did hear the heartbeat by Doppler at 9.5 weeks which gave me the reassurance I wanted.

[Deleted User] · February 2020

That's wonderful, OP! That means you're having a low-risk pregnancy! That is a beautiful thing. ❤️ Try to trust and believe that it's going to be just fine.

RedBaramid · February 2020

I had 4 total with my first pregnancy. 1 at my very first appointment to date the pregnancy and confirm my due date, the anatomy scan at around 24 weeks, and then one at 38 weeks as they checked to make sure baby was big enough for induction (I had pre-e and things were getting serious). The last ultrasound was not one I got to see, they did it before they wheeled me back for my c-section after my induction turned way south.

From what I understand, at that practice a healthy pregnancy only needed 2 ultrasounds. I know it blows because we all like to see baby but take it as such a good sign that things are great.

sarah0985 · February 2020

Is the NT scan not standard? What determines if people got it? I was under the impression it was a standard scan like the anatomy scan

coldlife · February 2020

BusinessWife said:

That's wonderful, OP! That means you're having a low-risk pregnancy! That is a beautiful thing. ❤️ Try to trust and believe that it's going to be just fine.

Yes! This! I had two with my first - dating and anatomy. With my second, I only planned for one - the anatomy scan. Unfortunately, I had two quick scans late in the pregnancy because my baby was flipping around and they wanted to be sure of the position. She was breech for awhile, which is NOT good, especially considering how many doctors these days go straight to CS instead of allowing a vaginal breech birth. I would have much preferred my baby to have stayed nicely head down and not needed those other scans (fortunately, she eventually flipped and stayed head down). With this one, again I'm only planning to have one - the anatomy.

@sarah0985, I was never offered it. I'm sure I could have requested it if I wanted, but I didn't. I googled and found some info that some providers won't recommend it if you're low risk - under 35, no family history, etc. - but I don't know for sure the answer to your question.

Fwiw, some of the measurements taken during the anatomy scan should show "markers" of Down's if your baby, in fact, has it - the nasal bone measurement, a bright spot on the heart, short arm or leg bones, and a few others that I don't recall. And my understanding is the signs of the other trisomies that the NT scan screens for will also show up on the 20-week. So, in my opinion, it wasn't necessary as 20-weeks was/is still plenty of time to prepare if my baby has any of those conditions.

[Deleted User] · February 2020

@sarah0985 I'm with you there, I sort of thought it was standard because I didn't have much else basis for comparison, and everyone just said I was an old lady mama, so they recommended it. But knowing what I know now, I sorta feel like it could be a bit overkill, but I am just going with it. The fetal echo I know is extra, too, so I have just accepted the fact that I don't get to have my pregnancies treated "normally." 😔

radiohd18 · February 2020

I also thought the NT 12 week scan was standard. I had it when I was 34 with my first pregnancy but maybe I was considered "advanced maternal age" back then?

jojokoodles · February 2020

At least a 12 week scan is standard care from my understanding (I mean, in GENERAL, a dating US is done even before then also). I can understand your frustration, it really took an ultrasound for me to feel like things were REAL and having to wait until 20 weeks would feel like an ETERNITY. Maybe you can do a private US somewhere to at least see SOMETHING or email your OB and just ASK if they can give you a requisition for an US to go get one done. If your insurance covers it, it literally takes nothing from them but to print an order and if you're in a larger healthcare system there could be multiple locations you could schedule at. Hope you figure something out to see your little one soon!

gsmomplus1 · February 2020

@sarah0985 I had my '12' week appointment (I was technically 11+3) and I asked my doc about the NP ultrasound. He said that they don't do that anymore, especially if you've elected for the NIPT blood testing because that is more in depth than the US and they don't need to do both.

I, unfortunately. had an US at that visit bc my doctor tried to hear the baby's heartbeat via doppler and could not locate it. Thankfully he brought the US machine in just to make sure everything was ok, and it was thankfully! But waiting for him to come back in with the machine was the scariest 10 minutes of my life.

roo_baby · February 2020

The NT is standard if you aren’t getting NIPT. Many doctors make it either/or since you could end up with conflicting information from the two tests, but I know some practices will do both anyway. I would insist on it at your 12 week if you aren’t doing the NIPT. If you are doing NIPT, you still may be able to charm your way into a US, especially if you act confused about when your last period was and need help dating.

The only other reason I could think why they wouldn’t do an NT is if you are in an area with a culture that prefers not to give women options depending on the outcome of the test. If they wait til 20 weeks, you may not have any legal choices left.

samsonator · February 2020

I don't think it's standard if you aren't doing NIPT. I am not doing it and was not offered a first trimester ultrasound as they aren't "medically necessary". The 20 wk one will be my first ultrasound of this pregnancy.

sarah0985 · February 2020

So interesting to read all this. This is my second pregnancy in a second country and had it offered for both. Not of AMA either.

roo_baby · February 2020

@samsonator they aren’t medically necessary and you can decline it if you don’t want it, just like any other genetic test, but it is recommended and typically offered in the US, Canada and many other countries. I’m surprised your OB doesn’t even offer it.

babytimeagain · February 2020

I can’t believe it varies this much. I’m 11.5 weeks pregnant and have already had two ultrasounds. I have my NT scan and NIPT test this week (I’m advanced maternal age now- 35), then there’ll be the anatomy scan.

@kateohtwo I can completely understand your frustration. That’s a long time to wait, and it’s hard for it to all feel real until you see your baby on the screen and/or start to feel it move.

radiohd18 · February 2020

I don't know if I would have done this during my first pregnancy, but, these days, I would consider a private, out of pocket ultrasound. You are still in control of what you think you should have for your OB care. Unfortunately, you will just have to also be willing to pay for it.

laur84ns · February 2020

I agree with @radiohd18. I never even considered it in my first pregnancy, but with my second and again with this pregnancy I’ve paid out of pocket for scans at a private ultrasound place. I have a lot of anxiety in the first trimester and I tend to spot a lot as well, which doesn’t help! I went for a private scan last week, at 9 weeks, because I just needed to know and see that everything was ok. There’s no way I could wait until 20 weeks to see what’s going on in there!

kateohtwo · February 2020

Thank you all for your advice and input!! I got to hear a strong heart beat today, which was a huge relief to my anxiety!

No Week 12 Ultrasound :(

Re: No Week 12 Ultrasound :(

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