Ultrasounds « Back to Group Discussions

[Jennyanydots]

Sorry if this thread is redundant- I know the topic has been touched on already.
I've had ultrasounds in all of my pregnancies, only 1 or 2 each, but I had no idea until relatively recently that there was any controversy surrounding them. We did have one yesterday- we decided to do it for dating, but mostly because we both really wanted reassurance that all was well in there. The doc who performed the US suggested we could come in around 12 weeks for testing, or wait till 20 weeks for an anatomy scan. If we did both, that'd bring us to three ultrasounds, and I'm not sure whether we should be concerned about that much exposure.

What are other mamas deciding to do? Are you worried about US? Avoiding them altogether? Unconcerned?

[CookAMH]

We do only one at 20 weeks to rule out things that would change homebirth pans (like placenta previa). We haven't needed any dating scans early on, and with midwives and being low risk, it never even came up to do a later u/s. I have gone into labor around 39 weeks with both kids, so I never had to have any post dates testing.

[mattie426]

We are also doing only the 20 week scan. While it would be so cool to see the baby more than that, we just don't feel that, for us, the benefits outweigh the risks. Of course, if something comes up, and it is medically indicated, we would do more.

[LivingSky]

We're doing two, one at 12 weeks and one at 20 weeks. We were offered an early ultrasound for dating by my doctor but we declined as I was confident about my ovulation date. I think the best plan is to limit your ultrasounds to "as few as necessary". Necessary of course is different in every case. Only you can best decide what is necessary for you - necessary medically and necessary for your peace of mind.

[lmcphee]

Sorry to sound uneducated, but I didn't realize that ultrasounds posed significant risk.  I'd love to hear more about this (or am I opening up a big box of worms??)

[chispita]

I'm not concerned so much about the dangers, but about unnecessary procedures that would lead to an unnecessary medicalization of what I'm hoping will be an uneventful and healthy pregnancy, if that makes sense.

We were originally only going to do the 20 week anatomy scan - mostly to look for neural tube defects or anything that would change our home birth plans. Later we decided to also do the NT scan - and the tradeoff for us for that was not doing Doppler during our MW appointments (at the 10 week appointment we were cool with waiting two more weeks for the NT scan to hear the heartbeat, and at the 14 week appointment we're good with not hearing it and waiting for the anatomy scan - after that it should be audible through fetoscope).

[mattie426]

lmcphee- I was surprised and honestly quite incredulous when I first heard about it too.  I thought, "no way, that is a little too wacko for me," but then I figured, why not look into it.  Just to make sure.  DH and I found that, in fact, there is a risk associated with ultrasound.  One study in particular divided women up into a group that only had medically indicated scans, and another that had several routine scans.  The group of women who got the routine scans had a higher incidence of complications/defects.

Finding that out made us think a bit more about it.  What knowledge would we gain from routine scans?  What would we do with that information?  How would it change our actions?  Was the information worth the risk (admittedly a very small one, but a risk nonetheless)?  There are no right answers to these questions.  Each parent (set of parents) must weigh them for themselves and make their best decision with the information that they have.

[mrsandmrs]

i imagined myself to be the type of pregnant lady who would decline ultrasounds or only have the 20-week scan. then i have a complicated conception, which lead to a twin pregnancy and being immediately classified as "high risk." so i've had quite a few ultrasounds, and i have quite a few more to go. it's not my preference, but since my pregnancy is inevitably going to be so medicalized, i have made my peace with it. 

and, whatever, i can admit that it's really cute to see them. 

[lmcphee]

Thanks Mattie426 for bringing me up to speed.  I had no idea.

[Jennyanydots]

We have a good friend who is an ultrasound tech, and it was something he said that made me look into it.  I always assumed they were totally benign.  Now, I have no idea.  I mean, I have three kids who've all been exposed to US during gestation, and they don't seem to have sufferred ill effects, but it got me thinking.  I think we're going to do the 20 week scan and skip the one in between.

I agree, Mrsandmrs- it is really cute to see them.  And seeing the LO earlier this week, confirming that she/he is doing fine in there so far, that was amazing :)

[Bromache]

From what I remember reading (several years ago, mind you, so the info. out there now might be different), it can be very uncomfortable for the baby. The sound waves are loud inside the womb, not to mention the pushing and pressure. Hence, we see them "dancing" or "waving" and think it's cute, when they really could be trying to get away from the intrusion, know what I mean? Also, I agree that they're just not necessary to have all the time "just because", and the results you get from them can be misleading and end up stressing you out unnecessarily.

For these reasons, we choose to just have the 18-20 week anatomy scan unless there is some medical reason to have more. (In my first pregnancy, we only had the one. Ended up with more in the second, for medical reasons. Neither kids seem to have suffered ill effects.)

[cmu204]

We had brief one at first appt (less than 5 mins) for dating/HB because I am of "advanced maternal age" and because this pregnancy was a complete surprise. We decided to do NT scan, since he has a sibling w/congenital issues, and the regular 20 week scan.
I am not particularly worried about the effects, but feel like we probably oughtn't if we don't have a significant reason to do it.

[vc2013]

I brought this up on another thread before, but I guess it fits more here. My OB REQUIRES me to get a US just to confirm my pregnancy, that means, before she even sees me. I got a weird feeling and contacted a different doctor, but his practice required th same "pregnancy confirmation US". Has anyone else heard of this? Is this the new standard procedure? Any way to get around it? Cause I DO want to see an OB, but it seems they're not even accepting me as a patient without that first US!

[Jennyanydots]

Originally Posted by vc2013 

I brought this up on another thread before, but I guess it fits more here. My OB REQUIRES me to get a US just to confirm my pregnancy, that means, before she even sees me. I got a weird feeling and contacted a different doctor, but his practice required th same "pregnancy confirmation US". Has anyone else heard of this? Is this the new standard procedure? Any way to get around it? Cause I DO want to see an OB, but it seems they're not even accepting me as a patient without that first US!

I wouldn't like that at all! Can't they confirm with a blood or even a urine test? I would think that might not bode well for the doctor/patient relationship over the course of the pregnancy and birth, if they start things off by mandating that you undergo what is typically an elective procedure. Sorry you're facing that choice.

[vc2013]

Originally Posted by Jennyanydots 

I wouldn't like that at all! Can't they confirm with a blood or even a urine test? I would think that might not bode well for the doctor/patient relationship over the course of the pregnancy and birth, if they start things off by mandating that you undergo what is typically an elective procedure. Sorry you're facing that choice.

Didn't they use to confirm via blood or urine test? It's the first time I've heard of it. I can see two possible benefits, (1) checking for ectopic pregnancies, (2) according to one website checking for down syndrome involves an early US. But (1) I assume I'd be in pain if I had an ectopic pregnancy (not sure), and I'm feeling completely normal, healthy. (2) I'm not high-risk, no history of birth defects in either family. So while I'm not necessarily opposed to USs LATER ON, it just a really bad taste in my mouth - this is not how I want to start my doctor-patient relationship. It just feels all wrong.

Maybe I should add, I'm in the San francisco bay area - maybe procedures are different elsewhere. In case anyone has any local(?) tips, maybe on OBs that don't do such early USs.. ? I have my appt in less than a week. We're interviewing a few midwives over this weekend so I'll be asking them for input on this one.

[letniaLynne]

I think your best bet is to call around and be clear you will be declining the US. Your totally right about your ability to decline procedures and if the office does not respect that then I would feel its not a good fit right from the beginning. If that is your true feeling I would skip any OBs all together and go straight to a MW. Don't worry if it takes you many weeks to find a care provider that you love it will be worth it in the end

[aidenn]

I will have 2 ultrasounds with this pregnancy, one elective one for dating and one required one for anatomy/placental placement (required to homebirth, that is).  I've has between 2-3 ultrasounds with each pregnancy, none of which were the boutique-style elective keepsake ones.  I think my opinions run concurrent with Chispita's - I'd be more concerned about what needless interventions may arise in a pregnancy as a result of the multiple ultrasounds.  In the case of a twin pregnancy, such as MrsAndMrs, I believe that even though she'll have 4 times the ultrasounds I will have, hers are medically necessary due to a twin pregnancy.

[haurelia]

Originally Posted by vc2013 

I brought this up on another thread before, but I guess it fits more here. My OB REQUIRES me to get a US just to confirm my pregnancy, that means, before she even sees me. I got a weird feeling and contacted a different doctor, but his practice required th same "pregnancy confirmation US". Has anyone else heard of this? Is this the new standard procedure? Any way to get around it? Cause I DO want to see an OB, but it seems they're not even accepting me as a patient without that first US!

I'd definitely keep checking around.  You didn't say how far along you were, but most providers will want you to come for the first visit around 8-10 weeks, so if you have time to do some searching before that window, take a breath and keep exploring your options.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you want a medical provider for your pregnancy care.  If you have availability in your area, you might find a family practitioner who is ok w/out a first trimester ultrasound to provide your pregnancy care (I am using our family doctor who does OB care as a backup to my home birth midwife).  Otherwise, I know of no midwife (either home birth or hospital-based) that would attempt to force a client to have a test/procedure which she declines. I bet there's a good choice of midwifery options in your area, if you're open to that as an option.  The midwifery model of care is quite different than the medical model of care; the midwifery model of care treats pregnancy as a normal state of being in a woman's life whereas the medical model treats pregnancy as a diagnosis to be treated. There are always more flexible/naturally-minded MDs providing pregnancy care, but may be hard to find.  I hope you can find some local recommendations...have you checked in your "tribal area" forum here on MDC? 

[vc2013]

Thanks haurelia!
I just entered my 9th week, so I feel like I don't have the time. It seems there are few good OBs in my area and the few there are are very booked. I wonder if it's possible to switch doctors mid-pregnancy? Fortunately, what we're lacking in OBs, we have more than enough of in midwives. We're meeting the first one tomorrow and I will ask about her thought on the issue.
I feel pretty unprepared not having settled on a doc etc, but we just moved to a new area where I don't know the doctors, so I have to go by yelp reviews and such. I've only gotten one recommendation over the tribal forum so far, but have read bad reviews about that OB.. But, I'm thinking next week I will start calling every OB I can find around here and ask specifically about their first prenatal procedures.

[haurelia]

Originally Posted by vc2013 

... I wonder if it's possible to switch doctors mid-pregnancy?

You can absolutely switch providers mid-pregnancy! Good luck with your midwife interview, and with your continued search.