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Originally Posted by karen1968  I've had two missed miscarriages, so the 8 week u/s was important for my mental health. I also wanted the 20-week anatomy scan, just to assure me (and DH - him more than me, I think) that baby was healthy enough to be born at home (she is due 11/25, and I will turn 42 on 11/19, so it was a concern). That scan showed a complete placenta previa involving the bottom edge of the placenta. I wasn't worried, because 95% or more of previas at that stage resolve before the 3rd trimester.
I had no bleeding or other physical signs of previa, so it was a shock to find that it was still complete at 32 weeks. I did a month's worth of Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture, moxa, herbs) to try to get it resolved, but at 34w5d, it is in exactly the same position. I am scheduled for a c-section on 11/5, when I will be 37w1d.
I still have had no bleeding or any other indication of a previa. If I had not had u/s, the previa would not have come to light until labor/birth. I could have had severe bleeding or hemmorhaging and my life and my baby's life would have been at risk. As much as I HATE my home water birth turning into a planned c-section, I am grateful to have a non-emergency surgery.
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See, this is one of my most compelling reasons to have an ultrasound. Previas scare me. I know that problems with the baby are not always found, and there's often nothing you can do about them prenatally anyways, but previas scare me. THAT alone is enough reason for me to definitely want the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.
I am not convinced that ultrasound is risk-free, but in the instance of saving lives due to a symptom-less previa, the benefit far outweighs the risk, IMO.
I will not have an early ultrasound unless there is significant question about my dates, and will choose only the 20 week scan, unless there are medical reasons to have more than that.
And I just cringe when I hear about people using the "fun" ultrasound places. Eeeek!
