Reasons for an early ultrasound? « Back to Group Discussions

[monkeyscience]

Is there any reason to get an early ultrasound if you're sure about dates? (Barring some sort of complication, like bleeding, of course.)

Right now, I'm only planning on one ultrasound (~20 weeks) unless something unusual comes up. The only reason I've heard given for early ultrasound is dating, and between OPKs and charting, I'm confident about when we conceived, so that doesn't apply to me. I don't have any family history of twins, so I sincerely doubt there are multiples on board here.I know some people like to hear the heartbeat, and I definitely would, too, I guess I just can't justify it just for my own reassurance. (Not saying that's not a valid reason for others, though - we all have our own comfort levels.)

Any other reasons I should be considering? Anyone else skipping out on the ultrasounds?

Edited by monkeyscience - 12/14/11 at 12:36pm

[Sol_y_Paz]

A variety of high risk factors (to either mom and/or baby) can make early ultrasounds valid.

[monkeyscience]

Any idea what risk factors? I don't think I have any, but I don't know what they'd be. I assume this is also something I'd discuss with my midwife, but I won't be seeing one until I'm at least 8 weeks.

[saffrongirl]

I think you named most of the reasons why a woman would have one - bleeding, to rule out multiples and for dating purposes.  I had one with both girls because I do have a family history of multiples.  I also had a subchorionic hemorrhage with my first dd.  In addition, we had gone through many years of infertility to conceive my first dd so I think we "earned" an early u/s because of using artificial means to conceive.  

Not sure if I'll have one this time around.  Haven't had bleeding and I'm pretty certain of my dates.  I guess we could to rule out multiples but I'm not sure if that's necessary. 

[Knitting Mama]

Originally Posted by Sol_y_Paz 

A variety of high risk factors (to either mom and/or baby) can make early ultrasounds valid.

Yep, this.

[eleuthia]

I'm having one tomorrow (at 5w6d) in my RE's practice (but having my visit with the CNM, since the RE's location is inconvenient). I think they want to do one early because I was on clomid so there's a risk of multiples, plus they may want to check out my ovaries to note any large cysts and make sure the pregnancy is in the uterus. I am nervous because I have a retroverted uterus and I've read it can make it difficult to see things early on. 

[sallyrae17]

I've had 3 missed miscarriages, so I'm having one to make sure that I have a baby with a heartbeat. It gets frustrating when you find out that your baby stopped growing at 7 1/2 weeks and you are 11 1/2 weeks along (or so you think). My body has never been able to miscarry naturally.

[marinak1977]

I had one my last pregnancy because it followed a loss. This time, I'd like to have one for reassurance, but I'm not sure my insurance will pay for it unless I have other reasons. I will be doing a combined screen around 11 weeks since it involves an ultrasound, and an anatomy scan. After IF and loss it is very comforting to me to see the baby grow.

[jeannineb]

I have had an ectopic pregnancy, so they like to make sure mine's in the right place.

[Knitting Mama]

To expand on my "on the run" post above-- I'm asking for one for dating reasons, but being a diabetic and prone to hypertension, there are medical reasons to give me extra ultrasounds, too. I will likely have detailed anatomy scans and a fetal echocardiogram, and then later ones to measure fluid, because diabetics are often prone to polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid), though nobody is quite sure why.

[Ninetales]

I don't plan on getting any early on.  I haven't had any issues that I think warrant it, and I'm switching insurances at the first of the year.  I haven't looked into how many are covered, but my particular concerns are more for later in pregnancy (checking for size), so I plan to save them for the end.  I'm 100% positive of my dates.

[iixivboots]

I'm pretty sure mine are just standard operating procedure because I'm at a fertility clinic.

I saw my little dot today! It's sooo tiny. Another one in two weeks and hopefully we'll see the heartbeat.

[Montessortof]

I will also be doing one standard through my fertility clinic, probably the first week in January. I also have a very high chance of multiples because I did IVF with two-embryo transfer. My doctor said that in my situation, the chance of twins is 25-30% and the chance of triplets is 1%. I'm excited about the idea of twins, but the thought of three is just terrifying for both health and sanity reasons.

[Thebyr]

I had a blighted ovum last time (aka missed miscarriage) and needed a D&C around 8 weeks, also I have a 6 cm fibroid embedded in my uterus - they'll want to keep an eye on it.

[monkeyscience]

So basically it sounds like pre-existing conditions in mom and/or previous obstetric history are the big reasons. Since I don't have either, I'm thinking I'm still good to go. Thanks everyone for sharing!

[ceriserenee]

I am also having one at 6 wks 5 days to check for heartbeat because I have had an early miscarriage and my stillbirth. We are being so extra cautious this time, but other than some of those things, there is no need to have one. If you are healthy, haven't had any complications, and don't need it for peace of mind...then you are good!

[Sol_y_Paz]

Monkeyscience, I am not sure but I think if you have no health problems, no medical problems, no above average chance at multiples, or there isn't a reason to suspect the baby is in the wrong place or in danger then an early ultrasound isn't normally done.  I am getting one done next week since I am considered high risk.   

[LittleBirdy]

Originally Posted by Sol_y_Paz 

Monkeyscience, I am not sure but I think if you have no health problems, no medical problems, no above average chance at multiples, or there isn't a reason to suspect the baby is in the wrong place or in danger then an early ultrasound isn't normally done.  I am getting one done next week since I am considered high risk.   

I didn't have one with my last - I was rock solid on my dates, no complications, no previous miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies, etc.  I don't know what will happen with this one as I'm less sure of my dates.  My first appointment is next Friday, I'll be 9 weeks then so we'll see.

[ainh]

My practice just does one at the first appt to get all the paperwork started.  I don't mind.  Then a second at 12 weeks for the nuchal fold measurements and than at 18-20 for anatomy.  And in my case, I've always ended up with about 10 per pregnancy for assorted (not great) reasons.

[Justmee]

I have  had 3 early losses, so I will be getting an U/S this time to check all is okay. I'm getting it the beginning of Jan when I will be almost 10 weeks, so by that time there should be a heartbeat even if I am a few days behind. Hopefully it will be one U/S to tell all is well, and that's it.