Post by ashleymarie26 on Mar 2, 2015 12:13:06 GMT -5
Had my first appointment today, and they went over the expected appointments etc. I won't be getting an U/S until 20 weeks!! I really thought we would have one before that, but that's the norm at my OB.
How about the rest of you? when will you/did you get your first U/S? It just seems so long to wait to see baby, but maybe this is normal?
Post by Krystal6826 on Mar 2, 2015 12:16:15 GMT -5
My first pregnancy I had a dating ultrasound at my first Dr visit. (8 weeks). Now I am with a new Dr so I'm not sure what they do here and don't go in until I'm 7ish weeks
That would bother me and I would change practices. I will insist on doing the neural tube scan (usually 12 weeks) to make sure there's nothing wrong. I know this may be offensive to others, but MH and I are in agreement that if there's an issue with the baby we will terminate, and we want to know within the period where that is a possibility. I am also going to push to do MateriT21 or something else to be sure. I am only 30, so not AMA, but its something I'm committed to.
I am going to a MW practice so will need to get a referral out to do all of this, but pretty sure they will refer out as requested.
Post by harvestmoon on Mar 2, 2015 12:25:51 GMT -5
One ultrasound at 20 weeks is standard for many pregnancies, although a lot of women also opt to get the nuchal translucency scan around 12 weeks when they can look for signs of some chromosomal and congenital heart defects. With my daughter I had a dating ultrasound (she was a surprise and we truly weren't sure of dating), the NT scan, and the anatomy scan.
Post by harvestmoon on Mar 2, 2015 12:29:40 GMT -5
blanche I've always used midwives and had no problem getting ultrasound referrals and no pressure either way about opting for the NT scan. H and I felt the same way that we would at least want to know NT scan results to be able to weigh our options or even pursue further testing if necessary.
eta ashleymarie26, if you otherwise like the OB you can always ask about their policy about getting the NT scan? I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned. With DD they made clear it was optional but that it would be covered by insurance and they'd be happy to do it.
My OB did one at 8 weeks for dating, 12 weeks for NT, 18-20 for anatomy and a few others in between just to check on baby. I have to switch OBs due to insurance this go round, but sounds like it will be similar.
Post by flyliceandcoffee on Mar 2, 2015 12:51:47 GMT -5
I'll be getting a dating u/s in the next couple weeks, and then possibly the nt scan at 12 weeks, and then the anatomy scan at 20 weeks. If your doc doesn't do the integrated screening, then they would skip the scan at 12 weeks which is in a lot of practices considered optional. You might want to ask if that's something you can choose to do although it's main purpose is to check for abnormalities like spinal cord defects and genetic things like down syndrome.
also, blanche, there's another test that's supposed to be just like the Matern21 test that has been made available to women who aren't AMA. I don't think a lot of doctors mention it, and I can't for the life of me remember the name of it, but I can look it up for you if you want. I had a couple friends who did it and they had some "sale" so that it only cost $45 out of pocket regardless of if insurance covered it or not. Don't know if that sale is still going on since it was a couple months ago, but it might be another option to look into.
I will have my first U/S at my 6 week apt with my MFM. I am hoping to get one weekly after than for while due to our loss history.
I definitely think that is odd to wait until 20 weeks. As others have said the N/T scan is at 12 weeks. I would call the office and ask why they are telling you not until 20.
Post by harvestmoon on Mar 2, 2015 12:56:18 GMT -5
It's really not odd to wait until 20 weeks. There are lots of reasons why many women get more, but the anatomy scan is really the only standard ultrasound, as rztrumpet said.
I would not be afraid to ask my practice about the NT or a dating scan, but I also wouldn't be offended or judge a practice just because they told me that one US at 20 weeks was their standard procedure.
Post by ashleymarie26 on Mar 2, 2015 13:00:13 GMT -5
Update- I called to ask about the U/S, they said they don't do the NT, they can refer me to another place that is 2 hrs away. There is another OB in town that a few people I know go to, so I called them and they do a 8w, 12w, and 20w. Is it insane to change practices only for more baby pics!? I'm planning to request my "proof of pregnancy" from current OB and have it sent over to new OB to set up my initial appointment there.
This has me wondering if I should call the OB I made an appointment with and ask if I'm having an ultrasound at my first appointment. I just assumed I would. I would prefer to have at least 3 ultrasounds over the course of the pregnancy.
It's only insane to switch if you otherwise like you ob and the practice. I wouldn't leave the ob I felt comfortable with for 2 additional ultrasounds.
Like everyone has said, standard of care is a 20wk scan although many get a dating u/s as well.
Post by ashleymarie26 on Mar 2, 2015 13:26:14 GMT -5
I caved and told my mom.... over the phone which wasn't ideal but I really needed her input. I am planning to meet the new OB and see how I feel about them, and I can continue or cancel with the one I prefer. Mommy's solve everything!
I caved and told my mom.... over the phone which wasn't ideal but I really needed her input. I am planning to meet the new OB and see how I feel about them, and I can continue or cancel with the one I prefer. Mommy's solve everything!
I think this is a sound plan; there's no reason not to shop around...
It's only insane to switch if you otherwise like you ob and the practice. I wouldn't leave the ob I felt comfortable with for 2 additional ultrasounds.
Like everyone has said, standard of care is a 20wk scan although many get a dating u/s as well.
I do like my OB, but my ONLY experience with them was this morning and 1 other annual (we are new to the area) so I don't feel particularly attached or anything.
It's only insane to switch if you otherwise like you ob and the practice. I wouldn't leave the ob I felt comfortable with for 2 additional ultrasounds.
Like everyone has said, standard of care is a 20wk scan although many get a dating u/s as well.
I do like my OB, but my ONLY experience with them was this morning and 1 other annual (we are new to the area) so I don't feel particularly attached or anything.
It definitely doesn't hurt to shop around. But remember, how they will treat you during your appointment, and your birth, and your comfortableness with the doctor are much more important than 2 extra ultrasounds.
Find out if they are natural birth friendly (if that's important to you), what hospital they deliver at, rate of c-sections, episiotomies, etc.
Post by ashleymarie26 on Mar 2, 2015 14:01:16 GMT -5
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions ladies- I agree 100% that my comfort level with the practice and doctor is more important than an extra U/S or two.
What doctor are you most comfortable with. A good doctor with one ultrasound is a hundred times better than a bad doctor with 3 ultrasounds.
this. there's more to a good OB than the number of u/s you get. in all honesty, aside from the nt scan (that isn't always covered by insurance and is optional) there shouldn't be a reason to get more than one u/s during a routine pregnancy. I'd be more worried about my doctor requesting more u/s than that because that would mean something isn't going right.
What doctor are you most comfortable with. A good doctor with one ultrasound is a hundred times better than a bad doctor with 3 ultrasounds.
this. there's more to a good OB than the number of u/s you get. in all honesty, aside from the nt scan (that isn't always covered by insurance and is optional) there shouldn't be a reason to get more than one u/s during a routine pregnancy. I'd be more worried about my doctor requesting more u/s than that because that would mean something isn't going right.
Or they're upcharging :S
ashleymarie26 I really hope you can find the OB that gives you the best overall feeling. Good luck with your search...it's still early so you certainly aren't obligated to anyone.
That's the standard from what I understand. I had one every two weeks because I am epileptic and anticonvulsants can cause problems. Then my son had a two vessel umbilical cord so they had to monitor that. I agree with PP though. If you have a routine pregnancy and like your doctor as well as the care you are receiving, I would stick with them. You can get 3D ultrasounds too if you want more.
Post by ashleymarie26 on Mar 2, 2015 17:03:13 GMT -5
Nah, in Iowa. I'm probably overreacting. I think I felt dissapointed, and was reading that many ladies here were expecting an U/S with their first appointment. Still planning to shop around a bit, but feeling more at ease that maybe it's the norm.
Post by pickles4prez on Mar 2, 2015 17:11:22 GMT -5
I think part of it is there are quite a few loss moms on the board, so a lot of our pregnancies are being treated as 'high risk'. That's why I'm getting a u/s at week 6, but it's by no way the norm.
Post by countingthestars on Mar 2, 2015 20:51:24 GMT -5
My insurance only covers the 20 week scan. We are paying out of pocket to get a scan done around the 6-8 week mark to make sure there is a heartbeat since we've had a loss before.
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