No ultrasound = more anxiety

[3girls+1]

I'm 38 weeks along with baby #4. This will be my first home birth. All the others were natural hospital births, and I had prenatal care with an OB including the 20 week ultrasound. This time I have been seeing a midwife and have had the bare minimum in testing (no ultrasounds, no diabetes screen, no GBS, etc.). I'm feeling good about the care I've received, but yet in the back of my mind are some fears about baby. My dh was asking how I feel about the upcoming home birth and he was surprised to hear that I have no anxiety about myself and how I will handle it, but my only fear I have is for the baby and his/her health. It's just the fear of the unknown I guess. Baby has been checking out great externally and moving well the whole time, and I have no reason to believe anything is wrong. BUT, that doesn't stop my mind from going there. I really admire dh's opinion on the whole thing though. When I was telling him about my anxiety and how baby could have some health issues that we don't know about, he was just like "So? Then that was God's plan for us and the baby". So true.

Anyway, just had to vent a little and get that off my chest. And wondering if anybody else has the same feelings with their test-free pregnancy?

[APBTlover]

This is my first baby, and we have done minimal testing like you. I definitely have these thoughts. Your husband sounds about like my husband, too! I honestly wouldn't say I'm "worried," just thoughtful. All of my friends -- and I have half a dozen close friends due within 6 weeks either side of me -- have had multiple ultrasounds/tests and "know" (to the extent that these screenings are effective) that their babies are whole/healthy. I don't, in a rational, medical sense. But, what does that matter? What good would it do for me to worry about (possibly misdiagnosed) problems now, already? I understand that knowing ahead of time can help some people prepare, and there's nothing wrong with that, but for me the risks of the elevated stress outweigh that benefit. I know how my mind escalates situations and causes bodily reactions... none of which would benefit my little one.

[Honey693]

I've declined everything, but an u/s. That was the one test I felt was worth my peace of mind. Logically I knew I didn't need one, they're not recommended as routine prenatal care and if everything else was fine the baby would be more than likely be completely fine. But my illogical preggo brain kept throwing what-ifs at me and I had a 20 week one.

[peainthepod]

I had an ultrasound at 12 weeks because we couldn't find a heartbeat with the Doppler and I was going out of town for a funeral and just wanted the peace of mind. I had another ultrasound yesterday, at 24 weeks, because I've been having terrible nightmares during the entire pregnancy and needed that reassurance that the little one is okay. I've had an extremely hectic year so far and the anxiety was making everything worse--and I imagine that it could have potentially complicated the birth as well.

I generally take a low-tech approach to pregnancy (no GD test, no GBS screen, etc.) but I really needed to see that my baby's anatomy was normal and healthy this time. And as a plus, we found out we're having a girl--the first one in several generations in DH's family. So that's pretty awesome too.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

I had more stress with my hospital birth with more testing, though I didn't do ultrasounds with either of them. I had your DH's attitude about it I guess.

[Galatea]

There are plenty of people who have ultrasounds that say the baby is fine, but then it turns out that the baby has a problem. Having the ultrasound would not guarantee a safe home- or hospital-birth nor a healthy baby.

[goldenwillow]

I had 1 ultrasound just to prove to myself I was really pregnant . Honestly, wished I didn't do it! Other than that, hands off. I too had thoughts of my babies health (who doesn't? ). Our Son was completely healthy and your baby will be too. I think it is normal to have these thoughts in our society (unfortunately). Fear is pushed down our throats. Follow your gut and your keep your ears open, your honey has some good words.

[3girls+1]

Thanks so much for all the words of encouragement! I know it's normal to have the concerns about baby, and looking back on my 3 hospital births with ultrasounds- I did have the same worries then too. Anyway, just glad to know I'm not alone.

[3 little birds]

I agree with Galatea. U/S is no guarantee of a perfect baby. I went back and forth on the decision this pregnancy, did a screening u/s instead of a level 2 (AMA) and ended up regretting it. Every baby I have had kicked violently (like never before) as soon as the doppler touches. My babies don't like it and an u/s is just the view of a moment in time-the view could be different 2 hours later, a week later or a month later. I think your husband is very wise.

[Momtotwo2004]

I agree with Carlie, in a sense.

I've had some major anxiety this pregnancy about the health of this baby. It was seriously becoming debilitating. I chose to have an ultrasound to help relieve some of that anxiety because it was not healthy for me to worry so much and I'm sure it wasn't healthy for the baby. It's a risk/benefit analysis you have to make for yourself. While I do still have anxiety, it did relieve it to the point of it being bearable.

[100%mom]

With my first child I had 6 ultrasounds and I was still stressed out that something was going to happen. I didn't buy anything except what I had to have before she was born. That was a carseat, some blankets, diapers and a couple pairs of pjs. When we left that hospital we had to go to Wal*Mart and buy me a nursing bra. Then with my next two I only had the dating ultrasounds and didn't stress after I got past the first trimester. Those two were born at home. This one I haven't had any ultrasounds at all and I'm not planning too either. I don't decline the diabetic testing though because that runs in my family and my Mom had GD when she was pg with me.

[mwherbs]

we have many clients decline ultrasounds but if this is what would put your mind at ease then why not? I know that it could open a can of worms if there are ambigious results that you would have to have another ultrasound to see if there is a change but more than likely it is just going to show pretty normal stuff if the baby has been consistently growing and moving- I try to not discount a moms feelings do what will make you feel the safest.