Dilemma: Get vaginal ultrasound at 1st appointment?

[mommy2bnc]

I am just now reading about the possible link between ultrasounds and autism.  A huge fear, and I really hope nobody is offended by me saying that but we've already been through so much in the past year with DD.  And even more scary, wondering if getting routine ultrasounds during my first pregnancy with DD could have been a factor in her cancer diagnosis.  So, does anyone have any information and/or opinions on ultrasounds during pregnancy?  I have my first prenatal appt. on Thursday and I was really wanting a vaginal ultrasound to be able to confirm the heartbeat, but now I'm not sure.  I think I will be 7 weeks, but maybe only 6 weeks along.  Is there another way the doctor can assure me that everything is o.k., there is a heartbeat, and that the pregnancy is viable?  Also, how can they date the pregnancy without the ultrasound?  I'm so paranoid!

[lifeguard]

At that point they may not need to do a vaginal u/s to date - but the heartbeat is more difficult.

My understanding about most of the concerns with frequent u/s during pregnancy is that it may be uncomfortable for the baby & that it can lead to unnecessary interventions because things are found that otherwise wouldn't have been known.

Personally I kind of enjoy the u/s. It took us a very long time to get pregnant & it was very reassuring to have those u/s. With ds we had at least one a month, this time it is less frequent but still more than most (my gd diagnosis is the main reason for this).

[Youngfrankenstein]

Can you look at a compromise?  With all of my babies my mw practice (CNMs, not my homebirth midwife) did only a 20 week scan.  Now it seems more and more practices are going a minimum of 3 scans.  Would you be okay with a 20 week only or something?  That might help them be happier but you avoid extra invasion.  I also enjoyed my ultrasounds but I understand you aren't comfortable with them.

[Ramzubo]

If you are really concerned the fetal doppler can pick up the heartbeat for some people starting around 8 weeks and usually by 12 weeks for most so you're not too far off if you want to skip the u/s. Later in pregnancy your practitioner can use fundal height to measure fetal growth to approximate dating.

I had a few transvaginal u/s due to a previous ectopic pregnancy. They were done very quickly so I was not too concerned about exposure, but if you are very worried you can wait a few more weeks for the doppler.

[mommy2bnc]

I should clarify that a) DD does not have autism, not on the spectrum at all, but I am just concerned about it since it is so prevalent now and b) I WANT an ultrasound tomorrow because I am want to make sure that there really is a baby in there and to make it more real!  I guess that's a selfish reason, but being able to see a heartbeat will be so reassuring and I'll feel like I can rest a little easier.

Thanks for the info and suggestions.  I guess I'll talk to the doctor about my concerns tomorrow and together we can decide what's best.