Homebirth mamas... early ultrasound?

[turnquia]

Ok... normally planning a homebirth I wouldn't do an early ultrasound. Heck my OB does't even normally do them.

My betas are quite high for only 4w1d. And this is first cycle after a MC.. so I'm a little paranoid of another loss. Or what if its twins (due to high betas, fast doubling rate and a few other things). Or a molar from last cycle that just was goofy (numbers went back to 0).

The twin thing doesn't have me as worried as the wanting to see the heartbeat thing.

Anyways. Would you do an early ultrasound why or why not?

Most likely results twins or not won't stop my homebirth... unless its a certain type of twins...

[Adamsmama]

We are planning a homebirth -- but I did demand (from an OB) an early u/s this time. I knew my dates were right but that I didn't O on cd14 ... and wanted confirmation so that when I went "overdue" I wasn't truly overdue, if that makes sense. I wanted an adjusted EDD. So, if you are worried or need that -- I say go for it. It made me feel better and more at ease seeing that the baby measured when I thought it should (vs. what the OB thought it should) and I saw the heartbeat right at 6 weeks.

[mommyfied]

When I got pregnant after a m/c I wanted one. I didn't really need it, but it ruled out any potential problems that were in my mind. It helped me not worry so much waiting to hear the heartbeat. I also had a high beta at 19 dpo (4400? I think) so it ruled out twins too.

So, yeah, I would/did get one.

[IAMommy]

I get them - I have a history of early MC, so it just puts my mind at ease so I can get on with things. I'm not even a fan of U/S, but I also get an anatomy scan around 24 weeks to make sure all body parts are present and the heart and placenta are well. If I have to birth in a hospital, I will, and I need the reassurance that the baby is okay for homebirth. We don't do any other screening.

[etsdtm99]

i did not have an early u/s with this pregnancy (though i did with my DS, which was my first pg. after my loss .. but i was also seeing an OB and had a hospital birth) this time, myu first planned homebirth, i have a doppler at home and i just waited to hear the hearbeat on the doppler.. i found it at 9 wks 4 days - now i know that i have an anterior placenta and that is probably why i couldn't hear it a bit sooner.. and my midwife couldn't find the HB with her doppler (2mghz vs my 3mghz) until my 16 week appt .. i did not worry about twins, because my midwife told me not to..lol my uterus was measuring on track, and by 16 weeks she could feel the baby and it seemed to be only one.. i had an u/s at 17 weeks that confirmed one healthy baby in there.. it seemed like forever to wait.. but when i had the early u/s with DS and saw his HB it was really only 3 weeks earlier than i heard the HB this time.. it wasn't worth the trouble of finding an OB to do an early u/s to just make me feel better for 3 weeks.. plus the cost.. it was a crazy 3 weeks of waiting and by 8ish weeks i really really wanted an u/s but now i am glad i waited..

however, in your case.. i don't know that i would want to wait.. not because o the high #s but because it is so soon after your loss .. but if you are sure your #s went to 0 then i think you'll be ok to wait..

[SelenaJean]

I had an early U/S with this pregnancy but my prior pregnancy had been a complete molar. My midwife ordered it so I did not have to go to an OB and it was worth the peace of mind for me. It was also nice to know I had a anterior placenta so I did not worry when it was hard to find the heartbeat when your supposed to be able to hear it.

[laughingfox]

If you really want one, I'd at least wait a little longer.

I was told that I was not really pregnant last time I had an ultrasound around 5 or 6 weeks (OB said I had an empty gestational sac), but when I went back the next week to check again, sure enough, there was the heartbeat and everything, developing nicely, and right where it should be.

After that, I don't have a lot of faith in very early ultrasounds. That first visit certainly wasn't very reassuring, and the week leading up to the next visit was pretty rough.

That said, I did have one this time (around 9 weeks) because I wasn't having regular periods before I got pregnant and wanted to get a better idea of my EDD (so I could add another 2 weeks to it and be able to guess when to expect this baby. )

[Carson]

i did for dating purposes at 6w. my LMP date would have needlessly made me look overdue, so i wanted the us done. my MW referred me to a MFM specialist.

[sattygirl99]

I did but only because I was concerned about one sided cramping (ectopic). I wasn't planning on any ultrasounds and am not planning on anymore!

If it hadn't been for that cramping, I wouldn't have had one... I've had several losses (5) and ultrasounds still aren't conclusive of that until its been several weeks since demise. I went through it with each one, that I had to be checked 2 or 3 times to confirm loss, whereas had I went in at a normal OB appt at 8 or 11 weeks, it would've been one clear ultrasound of a m/c.


Good luck! It's a personal choice! If YOU feel you need one to feel comfortable, do it! But I would wait untila t least 7 weeks to ensure you'll see what you need to see!