Dating/viability ultrasound today « Back to Group Discussions

[HippieIncognito]

I just got back from this and things looked good. Heart rate was 135. Only one baby in there. Whew! She said that the baby was measuring 7 weeks exactly but the sac was measuring 7 weeks 4 days. They do EDD based on the average of those two which would make me 7 weeks, 2 days. BUT I think I should go by the size of the baby only, because 7 weeks is also my guess by my calculations. Anyways, just wanted to share an update here. 

I'm glad I got it. I feel more excited and confident. And the look on DH's face when he saw his little blob would make your heart melt :)

[thecoffeebean]

Aw! That's wonderful news, Hippie!

[porcelina]

Congratulations!! That is so exciting! We had an ultrasound on Monday at 9.7 weeks and the little bean was jumping all over the place! It was sooo amazing!

[Tarynosaurus]

Lucky! I don't get an u/s until around 20 weeks. Ive got a long time to wait.

[somegirl99]

Congrats Hippie!  Isn't it an amazing thing to see?
 

[carmen358]

Great news! Congrats!

[askew]

Awesome news! Yay! 

[oregon2010]

That's is great news!

[mellybelly]

Hooray!

[cardigan]

Originally Posted by Tarynosaurus 

Lucky! I don't get an u/s until around 20 weeks. Ive got a long time to wait.

Me neither! Do you know why? I've got pretty rudimentary insurance, so I assumed it was that.

[mellybelly]

Cardigan, there are a bunch of reasons that a person might have an early u/s.  If their dates are unclear; if they're of advanced maternal age and are getting a first trimester genetic scan; if they've had fertility issues in the past and are being followed by a specialist; if they've had some issues during the pregnancy (pain or spotting or something); or if they have an Ob who has an in house u/s machine and likes to use it!  But I think the 'norm' is to not have one until the anatomy scan at 18-22 weeks.

[HippieIncognito]

I was unsure of my dates (wasn't temping, have super long cycles). Honestly I didn't *need* it and I felt ambivalent about getting it, but I also really wanted one. So the fact that my dates were a little ambiguous and I was seeking reassurance, I asked my mw to write me a script--she's a CNM. I have an HMO so I needed to jump through some hoops like getting a referral from my PCP and only going to one specific hospital that has a relationship with my PCP. I'm glad I went though because I am feeling way more positive which is good for mind and body!

[cardigan]

Originally Posted by mellybelly 

Cardigan, there are a bunch of reasons that a person might have an early u/s.  If their dates are unclear; if they're of advanced maternal age and are getting a first trimester genetic scan; if they've had fertility issues in the past and are being followed by a specialist; if they've had some issues during the pregnancy (pain or spotting or something); or if they have an Ob who has an in house u/s machine and likes to use it!  But I think the 'norm' is to not have one until the anatomy scan at 18-22 weeks.

thanks! that makes perfect sense.

[Xobel]

So I have a question.  I had a dating/viability appointment on Tuesday and had an ultrasound that placed me at almost 11 weeks and was SHOWN the heart beat - we could see it clearly on the screen - but when I asked to HEAR it I was told rather dismissively, "we won't be doing that today."  I have no idea the beats per minute or anything. What gives?  I was really looking forward to hearing the heart beat and being reassured that it was a healthy ticker after miscarrying in October.  I can't quite understand why she didn't deem it important - especially since she is a conventional OB and I figured everything sciency and chartable would be totally up that alley ;)

[somegirl99]

I'm not sure Xobel. For my CNM, it was just a matter of turning up the volume. Perhaps your OB's u/s equipment didn't have that option?

What bothers me more is her attitude, as if your concerns didn't matter. Are you set on her as a caregiver?

[askew]

At my OB the portable ultrasound they used for dating did not have a speaker, so I could not hear the heartbeat nor did it tally it for me. I asked the doc what the bpm were and she guessed. Maybe they have an older machine as well? For our 20 week they use a sonographer and a fancy machine, but use the portable to just do quick checks. 

[Xobel]

As this was my first meeting with my OB, I am giving her a little more time to see how she turns out.  In a lot of ways I really liked her, and she alleviated MANY of my fears.  I was a bit too overwhelmed by everything (going from not even believing I was pregnant to seeing a very human looking fetus on the screen), so I didn't bother to press the issue much or ask why we weren't doing it - I am willing to take most of the responsibility for that.  Now that I have come to terms with the fact that yes, I am growing a baby, and yes, it is still alive (a wonderful bout of vomiting just an hour ago will attest to that!), I feel I will be much more forward and involved in my meetings with her.  Plus, my husband is going to be coming with me from now on, and he's got a very good head on his shoulders.

I just thought it was common practice as most I've known women have heard the heartbeat before they ever saw an ultrasound.  Just a but confused.

[porcelina]

Xobel, likely the equipment would not permit hearing it, an sometimes it is still hard to find it on the Doppler at 11 weeks. But, I agree that sounds dismissive and she could have explained the reasons to you!

[thecoffeebean]

Xobel, my doctor took a reading and showed me the heartbeats on the screen, but I didn't hear it either. He explained that there is some thinking that aiming the doppler (or whatever they use to listen during an ultrasound) at the heart could be damaging to an early embryo. Instead he just counted the beats and have me a heart rate from that calculation. I was grateful that he was being cautious, as I have lost several babies during the first trimester. Maybe this was part of why your doc didn't have you listen to it?

[carmen358]

I've actually never heard the heartbeat while having an u/s...even at a fertility clinic that does them all day. My midwives have the hand held ones and that's the only way I've heard it in the past. But I agree that the attitude sucks!!