Too many sonograms? « Back to Group Discussions

[Seth's Mommy]

This is a repost from The Whining Thread but I wanted to draw more attention to it and get more input from more people.

I've had SIX sonograms so far this pregnancy:

1 to determine due date

1 with CVS

1 at 2nd trimester

1 fetal echocardiogram

1 to follow up on marginal placenta previa detected at 2nd tri sono (I was cleared)

1 to follow up on the follow up  (just to make sure?)

And at the LAST one, the doc (not my OB, but a sonogram center doctor) said I need to have WEEKLY sonograms starting at 34 weeks!  (2 weeks from now.)  The only justification he gave for this was that I'm on about 4 different meds for other issues (none of which in large enough doses to be harmful) and I'm 45. 

Actually this wasn't the first time they'd insisted on multiple sonos, and my OB got me out of most of them last time.  This time though I had just had enough and flat out told them no more!  I'm fine, my baby's fine, period end of story. 

Anyone else out there having similar issues?  Oh, and by the way, at the 2nd tri sono, the doc gave me a hard time for staying on my meds, which are for bipolar and prediabetes.  The bipolar ones keep me sane, and the metformin for prediabetes is the main reason I've been able to dodge the gestational diabetes bullet!

And of course, now I'm reading on the internet that there are risks associated with multiple sonograms from heat and other factors.  Should I have put my foot down earlier?

Nervous now....

[stormysky]

here is my repost

Seth's Mommy, I had 5. I can relate.

1. to determine viability, but it was too early

2. to determine viability and due date

3.I was going overseas and dr wanted to make sure things were OK in there

4. nuchal transparency

5. 18 week level 2

I can't believe with one of mine I had no ultrasounds, and coincidentally she is the least difficult so far.

[BeanBean06]

We have had a very high risk pregnancy. IC, cerclage, IU, Pre-term labor...etc and have had LOTS of ultrasounds pretty much every two for most of the pregnancy from abt 11 weeks on... I'm 33 1/2 weeks now and have one more scan in 3 weeks which shld be the last one unless I go overdue. All told we've had abt 18 scans give or take. And so far baby is perfect! I never planned or would chose so many scans but in our case the benefit def outweighs the risks.

[TIFF4NY]

We have also had at least one a month since they determined I have Hashimotos from my thyroid doctor and then my OB has had about 2 or 3 so far. I'm not really worried about it at all, the baby looks great every time. 

[Cali2SC]

Hi Seth's Mommy!

No hard facts/ scientific studies to share.  Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.  With our first we had Zero ultra-sounds.

With this little one we had one at 20weeks just to be sure that everything was ok before we transfered care to a midwife (It was.)

Then I've lost count of how many we have had since we discovered the baby's tactacardia and arrhythmia on January 18th (almost 26 weeks).  I know there were several the first night and then a few times a day for the next two days, while I was in the hospital. and then once a week since then.  This is our fist week we could skip it!  and I think we will have one every other week for a while before going back up to once a week as we approach labor.  (We are now at 29wks and 4days and I keep saying that this has to be one of the most photographed babies ever!)

From what I understand, the risk of heating up cells is theoretical, and no hard data is really available.  The worst kinds (highest risk) are those that are in color or 3-d and are done for keepsake photos/videos.  The techs doing ours are very well trained and they are as brief as possible, though some are fairly long.  

For us, we have to keep an eye on baby's heart to make sure that the meds are working, so the benefits outweigh the risks.  I personally am trying to be at peace with that.  I question ultrasounds, if I don't know why we are doing them, and I'm not doing any more than necessary (but really, when would we fit any unnecessary ones in ).   I will consider doing the biophysical profiles (more ultrasounds) that are recommended, only if something else comes up, or if it helps me postpone an induction at 39 or 40 weeks.  I'm also refusing to read any fb posts, articles, etc. about the dangers of ultrasounds and their potential side effects, since there isn't much choice this time.   

I truly believe that we do the best with the information we have at the time.  As mamas, there is so much pressure and stress already.  I refuse (at least I try not to) beat myself up for the choices I make.  Instead, as I learn new information, I just try to do my best going forward.  (I know this can be easier said than done. )  The best thing you can do is try not to be nervous and just keep taking care of yourself and your lo.  If you don't find their reasons for more ultrasounds compelling and you've done your homework, nothing is mandatory.  

[Seth's Mommy]

Many hugs back, Cali2SC!  You and your lo are now on my prayer list, and thank you so much for responding. 

I should have known not to go googling around about something like this that can be a bit controversial.  I'm glad to hear that the consensus seems to be on the side of safety.

I should also have mentioned that my two top reasons for not wanting to do all the sonograms they asked me to do had nothing to do with uncertain health consequences initially, but rather

1.  I would have worried unnecessarily prior to each one, and

2.  I would have burned up a boatload of leave that I am desperately trying to conserve for AFTER the baby is born.

I am so grateful we have the tech and medical expertise to help you and your baby and I absolutely believe that where there is a medical benefit to be gained from sonography, it should be used. 

Again, many many prayers for a healthy, full-40-weeks gestation and a joyous birth to you!

[Kara9080]

I wouldn't have more than one elective sono's but I've had a bunch.

One at 7~ to determine due date. Then I had then every 2 weeks from week 16-26 for baby echo's and now it's supposed to be once a month. I had my last 2/8 and I'm scheduled for 3/8 but baby is fine, risk is over and I don't want them telling me I'm going to have a "big" baby and freak me out. So if my midwife is okay with me passing the 3/8 sono, I will.

[Seth's Mommy]

Well things have taken an unexpected turn.  My OB concurs with the radiology doctor that I need weekly sonograms in addition to prenatal visits starting at 34 weeks (almost 33 now). 

I have had to take a step back and ask myself what I want to do, and I am now aware of an possible alternative.

I worked with a midwife practice for my son's birth and they were wonderful.  We relocated since then and I didn't know of any in this area.  I am not considering home birth, so I needed a midwife practice with hospital privileges.

Turns out there is one that works out of a hospital (newer, better funded) in a neighboring district that has a satellite office near us.  I'm going for an interview with them in two weeks (first I could schedule it and still get my records) with a midwife to see if they can take my case.

I would prefer to work with a midwife practice anyway, even one supervised by doctors.  The midwife and my doula were a winning combination last time, and looking to do even better this time around with no gestational diabetes complicating matters.

Fingers crossed, everyone!  This could end up even better than I had thought.  (No guarantees that the midwife practice will take me, or that they will order less testing, but at least they should be able to combine the sonos with my regular OB checkups - better technology in their office!)

[Ethelpea]

If I recall correctly, Sethsmommy, you are an older mother too.  My doctor was trying to push weekly u/s on me too starting week 30 or something.  I refused.  I might consent to one more but that is it. Just from a logistics standpoint alone, I can not find a babysitter for my other children (and the little boy I babysit) and I can not expect my husband to get into work 3 hours late once a week. 

Worse case, I suppose, you are in the homestretch, you could just call in and cancel weekly appointments citing childcare unavailability, no?  I've done that in the past.  Honestly, I'm not even sure if the doctors office notices or cares that I don't show up.

[KateHNM]

It's funny you started this thread yesterday because it's been on my mind a lot this week.  I planned to have a 3d ultrasound tomorrow and was very excited about it until I started thinking about the possible impacts of ultrasounds and decided to venture onto the internet last night.  I kind of wish I hadn't now.  There seems to be quite a bit of controversy over ultrasounds.  I have been suspicious of too many interventions (obviously that's why I chose a home birth) but I didn't worry too much about ultrasounds because I thought it was just a noise to the baby.  This would be the forth ultrasound for my little guy.  I had one at about 7 weeks to make sure he was still there after a bleeding scare, then another at 13 weeks as a follow up to make sure everything was ok, and then the anatomy scan at 19 weeks.  There is a lot of hostility on the internet accusing mothers of selfishly putting their baby at risk to get pictures of them.. I don't see why there needs to be an attitude like that it's not like mothers would have ultrasounds if there was solid evidence that they caused damage.  I couldn't find any real study that definitely proved they were dangerous.  I don't plan to have anymore scans because I don't want to upset the baby, even with noise, any more than I have to but I never felt like I was doing anything really harmful just maybe a little stressful but I would hope not enough to cause any harm.  The internet has made me question things but I really hope they are concerned for no reason.

[ameliajade]

I've had 3 ultrasounds this pregnancy. One at 7 wks, one at 10 wks, and one at 19 wks. It's not nearly as many but it still feels like a lot.