Anyone have their anatomy scan done by the perinatologist (maternal-fetal medicine)? How does it differ from a regular anatomy scan? Just more detailed with more measrurements?
I just had my first midwife appointment yesterday and was informed my anatomy scan will be done at 18-20 weeks by the perinatologist this time around.
pomegranate / 3863 posts
I think mine was pretty standard even though it was done by an MFM. They are very thorough but I'm not sure it's any more involved than a regular anatomy scan.
If you are considered high risk or had any complications with previous pregnancies, they probably just want to make sure that a specialist (the MFM) see's your scans and makes sure there is nothing out of the ordinary. I was high risk and that was my experience at least...
pomelo / 5178 posts
Our perinatal office had 4d scans, which was really cool! The doctor was also a lot more thorough and spent quite a bit more time looking at some specific areas (heart, placenta, cord, etc...) where blood flow issues might occur (since had some complications that might affect that).
grapefruit / 4681 posts
@petunia354: She didn't use the term "high risk" but I have a thyroid condition (regulated) and very low vit d. She wants to keep a close eye on babies growth since both are linked to IUGR and she had estimated DS to be "barely 6lbs" at 39 weeks (before I was diagnosed with either condition...he was born at 41w2d at 7lbs 7oz, so average but she said yesterday she was shocked he got to that size). I think she is just taking some extra precautions. I think it will be nice since they will actually tell us things right away (hopefully babies sex?!) unlike the techs who aren't allowed to say anything around here.
grapefruit / 4681 posts
@Honeybee: So cool! I had one done by MFM at 40w with DS since I was overdue, but they were mainly checking fluids so it was quick. I remember them telling me how I had an anterior placenta and that was the first time it was ever mentioned. May have been helpful before so I didn't freak out over not feeling movement so much 
pomegranate / 3032 posts
At my OB office all the scans are done by a visiting perinatal ultrasound tech none of the obs do it themselves.
pomegranate / 3863 posts
Well I'm glad they'll be keeping a close eye on you and baby! DS was my first pregnancy and I don't have anything to compare it to so for me even though I was high risk, going to the MFM was "normal". I'm sure compared to regular OB visits though it'll seem like they are way more thorough with their measurements during scans. It definitely was nice for them to tell us right away what they were seeing and if it was normal, vs. regular U/S techs who can't say anything!
pomegranate / 3008 posts
All the big scans (nuchal measurement, anatomy scan) and two more were done by a MFM specialist and then my OB did her own scans several times. The MFM scans were very thorough, lots of photos, hearing the heart beat in stereo, lots of measurements and discussions about what they were seeing and why it was important. My scans with the OB were just a couple measurements and making sure the heart beat looked good.
grapefruit / 4681 posts
So weird how every office is SO different!
@Chillybear: @pelikila: My OB's office dose not do ultrasounds. All ultrasounds are done by a tech at an outpatient facility connected with our hospital system.
pomegranate / 3414 posts
Mine was done by a MFM specialist because my OB doesn't do them in office and that was the only option.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts
Mine was done by perinat. and a scan several weeks later was done by the regular tech. Perinat. was much more thorough, explained things, and was able to provide more information. It was pretty nice, plus they had better machines.
apricot / 340 posts
Starting with the 12 week scan, they were all done by my perinatal specialist. My obgyn's office only did the transvaginal ones weeks 5 & 8.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
Mine was done by high risk OB. I don't think it was any different except that they spent more time looking at cord flow (which was my problem).
coconut / 8472 posts
I met with a genetics counselor this week at the MFM department, and she made it sound like the main difference is in how the images are interpreted. She said if the OB's office does it, they take pictures that are later interpreted. But if a maternal fetal medicine specialist does it, then they interpret the live video. Not sure if that's universally true though :).
GOLD / apricot / 315 posts
I had my anatomy scan done at MFM, because I was - ahem - of advanced maternal age. The main difference was that the dr came in at the end, looked over the results, and then did a quick scan himself.
blogger / pomegranate / 3201 posts
Mine was and they did a 3D u/s, too! I was under the impression it was standard procedure.
clementine / 825 posts
It's standard procedure at my midwife's office for the 12 and 20 week scans to be done by a perinatologist.
pomegranate / 3329 posts
@anbanan15:
With my second pregnancy everything was done by my OB, but I went through preterm labor & bedrest with that pregnancy. My current pregnancy (third) is being watched pretty carefully, our anatomy scan was done by a regular tech but the results were sent to a perinatologist to go over. It took me by surprise when I was told this, but it appears to be pretty routine. When I ask my OB he said it was due to my history and the contractions that they were noting during the anatomy scan.
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