Requesting an ultrasound

[sjh722]

It can't hurt to ask.

Do they have ultrasound machines in any of the exam rooms? I've gotten a quick in the room u/s at each of my first appointments since it was too early to hear the h/b with doppler. They might let you do something like that if you're very nervous.

[Muddled]

They won't want to date your pregnancy? Definitely ask. Tell them how anxious you have been.

[Deleted]

Yes it can't hurt to ask. I had ultrasounds at both my right week appointments. Does your doctor have ultrasounds in the office?

[Deleted]

Also you could always fib and day you aren't sure about the date of your last period.

[nachos]

I couldn't get an early u/s either, and I was really anxious. I saw a different doctor, who saw how upset I was - last week was really my Twilight Zone (in my last pregnancy the doc said it wasn't a big deal not to hear the heartbeat, when it really was. It was already too late at that point, and I didn't know it until three weeks later).

So - different doctor saw me getting upset, and went to get the portable u/s machine. It took longer to set up than use, and I got to see the heartbeat, and some little wiggles too!

It was well worth the peace of mind. Maybe this is an option?

[miamigirl]

I would ask. You have nothing to lose. Tell them that it will put you at ease.
Early in my pregnancy I mentioned to my OB that I was really nervous because of my previous loss and he agreed to see me more often/have more us. I'm sure they'll understand.

[ebeth]

The worst that can happen is they say no and then you don't get an ultrasound which is exactly where you are now.

It's fascinating to me how much whether or not you get an early ultrasound varies by region, practice, etc.

[holly116]

I didn't have a formal u/s till the a/s but I did have a few informal ones early on each time. With DD, it was a "hey, we have a few extra minutes and the u/s room is open". Same thing with DS1, both at I think my second or third appointments. They couldn't find the hb with DS2 at 12 weeks I think so we went across the hall and found him quick on the u/s. They have machines at each location but only schedule stuff on Wednesdays at the location by the hospital. Otherwise, they'll use that room as a normal exam room.

So, chances are, you'll probably get a peek in the first trimester anyway. All of that being said, I really didn't know when we conceived DS2 so I had a quick, but formal, dating ultrasound the same day of my appointment. I did have to go to the other office but they were able to do it the same day. This was after my doctor check my uterus and was pretty sure I was 6-7 weeks along, which I was.

I'd totally "not be sure" of your last missed period date and get an ultrasound in your case. I mean, things can be a bit wonky after an iud removal, right? Wink wink.

[runblondie26]

It's standard practice for my OBGYN group to do a dating ultrasound at your first visit, even if you *know* your dates. I'm assuming they've had plenty of patients who are way off in their estimates.

Like the pp's have said, it never hurts to ask.

[traveljunkie13]

My midwives do not have ultrasound machines in the office and only schedule you for your 20wk scan (and the NT if you opt for it). I lied about dates with DS and will probably fib again at my first appt next week to get a dating scan. I opt out of the NT scan and my anxiety will go through the roof If I have to wait until 20wks to see that things are ok. I know it's flammable and if I got the NT scan I would just wait the extra 3wks. They also do not attempt the Doppler until at least 12 wks. I LOVE my midwife group but the unknown for so long would kill me!

With DD I was with a different OB group and they did quick in office ultrasounds all.the.time!!!

[Muddled]

Now I want to know where you live.

[Muddled]

Feb 26, 2015 21:52:20 GMT -5 @starry said:

Feb 26, 2015 21:51:14 GMT -5 Muddled said:

Now I want to know where you live.

Southern Ohio lol. Not like... a remote island

I was totally expecting some sort of isolated hippie commune. lol.

[Muddled]

OK, your ETA is interesting considering that U/S is often used as a tool to discourage termination.

[Muddled]

Feb 26, 2015 21:56:52 GMT -5 @starry said:

Feb 26, 2015 21:55:02 GMT -5 Muddled said:

OK, your ETA is interesting considering that U/S is often used as a tool to discourage termination.

yeah the literature they gave me regarding the NT and quad screen were very... biased. They were like "well we don't think these tests are a good idea because blah, blah blah." I was like oh.... ok, well you're my doctor and I trust you. Which became a negative theme throughout my pregnancy. NOW I TRUST NO ONE.

Preparation is always a terrible thing. :S

I would be very skeptical too. I hope you like this new practice better.

[carolinagirl831]

I would, at my practice a dating u/s is standard at the first apt. It really helps ease the mind!

[speyedr]

I had a dating u/s at 9ish weeks and then my a/s. My office doesn't offer an NT scan unless you are AMA or have other risk factors.

[polarbearfans]

I called and asked for an ultrasound. Let them know how anxious you are and this will help put your mind at ease.

[imimahoney]

You should ask but my massive practice right outside Boston does not do early dating u/s unless there is a medical necessity for it.

With my 1st 3 years ago they did but then made a policy change. It was really annoying since I had a dating at 6 and then one at 9 weeks but there was nothing I could do. This time I only had my 1st u/s at my NT scan.

[Koala]

I'm a little late to the game here, but good luck! I would definitely ask. I really hope you get one.

[ebeth]

Feb 26, 2015 21:48:44 GMT -5 runblondie26 said:

It's standard practice for my OBGYN group to do a dating ultrasound at your first visit, even if you *know* your dates. I'm assuming they've had plenty of patients who are way off in their estimates.

Like the pp's have said, it never hurts to ask.

Same for me. For both practices I've used (I switched about 6 weeks), which is consistent with the ACOG committee opinion on estimating due dates.

I can understand how it might be easier to implement that recommendation in a big metro area with the infrastructure to support routine early 1st tri ultrasounds. Also the opinion is pretty recent (sept 14ish) so it might take a bit for it to spread into standard practice.

[july]

Sorry you are anxious. I was a total mess for my second pregnancy. My doctor used a portable us machine with D and it was pretty quick. With this last one, I had a formal us appointment and the insurance adjusted rate was $450. I wouldn't do an elective one for that price.

Because I was already anxious, good news calmed me in the short term, but I never felt calm overall. Do you think the early us would give you relief for more than a couple of days or would you just go back to worrying?

[july]

I have also heard of people having early us, which only cause more stress.

[autumnfire]

Feb 27, 2015 11:01:39 GMT -5 AutumnRose25 said:

I would let them have a chance to find the HB on doppler at the appointment, if they can't they will do an u/s anyway, especially at 8 weeks.
They aren't going to do nothing to confirm it is a viable pregnancy. 


Then again, my feelings on lying to get u/s are pretty well known here LOL

This.

I have to admit I was very thankful that my OB left u/s appointments open for emergencies. Not to downplay anxiousness. But I was grateful that the true medical emergency appointments were held open. It does make me side eye people when I hear them say they fibbed so they could get a look.

Meanwhile you may have just taken the only open spot for someone who truly needed that machine, be it if they have recurrent losses or are high risk or have a medical emergency with regards to their pregnancies. Our office had a firm 12 week date that they would do a u/s unless medically necessary.

[july]

Feb 27, 2015 15:47:17 GMT -5 @starry said:

Feb 27, 2015 14:24:54 GMT -5 july said:

Sorry you are anxious. I was a total mess for my second pregnancy. My doctor used a portable us machine with D and it was pretty quick. With this last one, I had a formal us appointment and the insurance adjusted rate was $450. I wouldn't do an elective one for that price.

Because I was already anxious, good news calmed me in the short term, but I never felt calm overall. Do you think the early us would give you relief for more than a couple of days or would you just go back to worrying?

Good point and uncertain. I definitely don't think it would be worth $450 (somewhere between $100-200 would be fine). I was much less stressed last pregnancy after seeing the heartbeat but I think I am just more anxious in general this time so perhaps it wouldn't help.

I checked my eobs with D. No charge for the portable us machine. The anatomy scan was only $160. Now I feel like they billed my insurance too much. It was $125 for the appointment with the tech (I think), then $160 twice for ultrasounds, maybe because she used both kinds. Then, they got money for the OB visit.

I do understand wanting an early us. You don't seem to have any reasons to worry though. The internet made me more anxious with both pregnancies. I took a break from my bmb because having women talk about the worst cases did not help me at all. Try to tell yourself you have nothing to worry about.

[centralsquare]

Fascinating.

I'm with a generally low-intervention midwifery practice in a hospital. The midwives only do sonograms at 8w and 20w; if you want the NT, you get one at 11-12w as well.

Bc there are so many things that can happen early on, I'd be loathe to wait till 12w. It was hard enough waiting till 8!

[sarahsas]

It's fascinating to hear how different everyone's doctors are. My doctor seems to do some things differently than a lot of others and it really has eased my mind. For example, I always heard about the one hour and three hour GD tests but I got a two hour, which i had never heard of. It also seems like I've had more ultrasounds than the norm. I'm not high-risk.

I hope that your doctor can understand your feelings and help you ease them. If not, maybe there is somebody else would be a better fit for you