My first appointment is at 10 weeks and they said they would use a doppler and no ultrasound until 20 weeks. Is this normal practice? I thought they were going to do a dating ultrasound to also verify the baby's position in the uterus. Nope. 
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@simplyfelicity: Are they not doing a NT ultrasound? That has to be done 12-13 weeks.
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My practice only does the 20 week ultrasound, though you can opt for First Trimester Screening which includes an ultrasound between 11 and 14 weeks. My guess is at your first appointment, they'll talk to you about this optional screening.
Otherwise, they only do an ultrasound if there is a concern (such as early spotting in the beginning of the pregnancy or a larger than average baby).
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My midwife practice only offered one ultrasound unless there were complications. I had one in the ER at 10 weeks for suspected eptopic.
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@simplyfelicity: for my first pregnancy that was the norm. No ultrasounds at all until the anatomy one! It was torture considering websites like hellobee made me think frequent ultrasounds were more common!
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With both pregnancies my first ultrasound was the NT scan at 12ish weeks. If I opted out of the NT scan the first ultrasound would have been the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.
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@simplyfelicity: are you seeing a midwife or an OB?
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What does NT stand for? They said the 20 week ultrasound (my first) would be the anatomy ultrasound.
@swedishfish: It's a midwife within a large ob office
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@simplyfelicity: NT = Nuchal Translucency. It's the scan to check for Down's.
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My OB office didn't offer the NT scan, but I wanted/needed to see the baby to ease my mind (prior m/c made me super anxious). I asked and they referred me to the perinatologist office to have the scan.
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My office does an ultrasound at 7 weeks, then again if you want the NT at 12/13 (it's optional). I have a friend who went in at 11 weeks for a doppler, and they had a hard time finding the heartbeat, so she got an ultrasound that day, too. Thankfully everything was fine! But if they had found the HB on the doppler, she would have had to wait until the NT. Maybe ask if NT is an option at your practice?
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@simplyfelicity: just FYI, 10 weeks may be early for Doppler. Don't be disappointed if they can't find the heart beat.
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That seems odd to me. I had an US at 7 weeks, 12 weeks, and 20 weeks and I haven't had any complications. Maybe it's different with a midwife.
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@simplyfelicity: NT is optional from what I understand. Also, midwives can be more hands off when it comes to extra testing and ultrasounds.
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Thank you for the clarification of the NT vs anatomy scan. My husband doesn't see why it is such a big deal to not see the baby until 20 weeks but he totally understands if I want to find a new OB. Pretty sure I am going to call around.
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i had two dating U/S's at 5 and 7 weeks, but my cycles were very long and i had to have beta blood tests to confirm growth. after that, i opted out of the NT scan, so i had only the anatomy scan at 19 weeks after that.
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I'd be calling around too.
Waiting til 20 weeks sucks. I want the nt.
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My practice does a transvaginal ultrasound at your first appointment (8-10 weeks), then the anatomy one at 20 weeks.
(I also had a transvaginal one at 12 weeks, but that's b/c they had trouble finding the heartbeat with the doppler) -
@simplyfelicity: My practice does do a dating ultrasoud usually around 8-10 but since I already had ultrasounds at my RE they didn't and won't until my anatomy scan!
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Does anyone know why practices are so different about this? I had an us at 5 weeks, anothet tomorrow at 7, possibly another at 8, and then also 12 and 20. I see a lot of mommas having to wait, and i am curious why. My first pregnancy i didnt go in until 8, but this time i had more because of a previous mc. 12 seems like a long time to wait.
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@Mrs. Lion: I don't know, but would like to!
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@Mrs. Lion: that sounds like a lot to me! The only people I know who have that many ultrasounds have had a risk factor.
@simplyfelicity: if you are happy otherwise, I'd hate for you to leave over a practice that is not uncommon. My OB does 1 ultrasound, 2 if you're older. My friend wanted to hear the heartbeat sooner than usual, so she asked him if that was possible. He said yes!
I've had 1 ultrasound bc I worked w/a RE.
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http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/ultrasound.html
Here's the American Association of Pregnancy's explanation. I think it's helpful!
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http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/ultrasound.html
I think that's a helpful explanation!
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@Happygal: thanks! I thought it sounded like a lot too. My hcg was pretty high at my betas and it makes me wonder if she is looking for something (ruled out molar at the first so that was good) but there was no hb so im coming back for that tomorrow. She hasnt mentioned any concerns so i am hoping no news is good news!
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@Happygal: This will be my first appointment there, so I really have no opinion of the place. Thank you for the link, I wish that my OB followed these recommendations for a first trimester ultrasound.
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This seems odd to me. My first appointment was between 6 and 7 wks and they did a transvaginal US to make sure the embryo was in the uterus and not the fallopian tubes, (no history of this), and to date it. Then I had another one at around 9-10 weeks to see the heartbeat and make sure it was growing. Then I had the NT scan at 13 weeks. I think I would have gone a bit crazy if I had to wonder and worry until 20 weeks. I would be looking for a new OB.
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I also wanted to add that the early ultrasounds were used to confirm the location of the placenta to make sure it wasn't lying too low in the uterus.
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@simplyfelicity: The norm is to do the NT ultrasound at 11-14 weeks which can also be used for dating. Then the 20 week anatomy scan.
Some doctors do more ultrasounds than this, but you might need a specific reason in order for insurance to cover them, for example a history of miscarriage or ectopic, or some worrying sign like bleeding or cramps.
Since you've had a CP before, they might agree to do an early US to check the viability so definitely mention that to them.
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@Mrs. Lion: I'm sure it's fine--I'm typing on phone and should have said that first go round! Let us know how it goes tomorrow.
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My practice in Boston did one at 10 weeks (viability scan) and 18-20 wks (anatomy scan). My practice in NM did one at 7-8 weeks (dating scan) and 18-20 weeks (anatomy scan). I opted for the NT scan during both pregnancies as well (and, during my first pregnancy asked and received an early 6 week ultrasound after I had had a prior miscarriage). I do think it's odd for a US OB practice to not have one until 20 weeks.
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It's normal practice here to only get 1 ultrasound at 20 weeks. I only had that one with B during my pregnancy. This time, I had a dating ultrasound at 7 weeks as my Dr wanted to double check the dates as I only had 2 PP cycles. If you say you don't know when you conceived they will give you a dating U/S, otherwise you only get that one at 20 weeks.
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I appreciate everyone's help and insights! I ended up calling around and found an OB much closer who does first appointment with doppler at 8 weeks and then first ultrasound at 12 weeks. I am very relieved.
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@simplyfelicity: I'm glad you found a new office that makes you feel more comfortable
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@Happygal: all is good
heard and saw the heartbeat and I go in for another in 2 weeks!@simplyfelicity: glad you found someone!
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@Mrs. Lion: That's great! So happy to hear your appointment went well.
heard and saw the heartbeat and I go in for another in 2 weeks!Reply
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