ultrasound question - Page 2

[honeybee]

Kate, wow! I'm so thankful u/s is available for situations like yours. Technology definitely has its place.

I refused the 20 week u/s with ds, against my doctor's recommendation. I decided to follow ACOG's guidelines. We did have a 41.5 week u/s to check amniotic fluid.

Unless my midwife sees a particular need for an u/s this time around, I will not be getting one.

Melissa

[Katwoman]

I have early u/s done around week 6 or 7 because I have a history of etopics and they always want to verify the baby is in the right place.

[a-sorta-fairytale]

Since i am having a vbac (hbac really) i have to have one u/s to check for placental placement. I know MOST insurence does NOT cover more than 1 u/s. So most docs put a "risk code" on it so it will get paid. The one most often seen by the ins adjusters is "pos ectopic" "spotting" and "unknown due date"

I was really wierded out to know that so many women have so many us duirng the pg. I still dont trust em.
MArgarita
Cali 4/30/04
edd 3/?/06

[MeganCatheline]

I'm not a big fan of u/s either, however I've already had 2.
I have a history of ectopic pregnancy and the first u/s at 5 weeks was inconclusive, so I had to have another this week. I'm glad the technology exists for situations like mine, and others where its use is warranted.
While I believe that u/s is probably ok, I wouldn't use it indiscriminantly (i.e. those mall u/s photo studios)

[Heart.Revolution]

I just came home from my US appt. I heard the heart beat!!! I was so nervous because all my previous US appts that I had in the past were to either determine if everything cleared out from the miscarriage. Not today though...I got to see my little 9mm bean baby and hear it pumping 150 bpm!

I wish everyone the best of luck with their little beans!

[Kam]

Momto3g3b, I'm so sorry to hear about your children's difficulties. It must have been so scary to be shell-shocked at birth. I hope you have a smooth pregnancy this time and get all the help and information you need.

I got pregnant and gave birth in Japan, and I had an ultrasound at every prenatal appointment (and there were so many at the beginning because I was bleeding and cramping and had just had a m/c). I'll bet I had more than 20 ultrasounds. I had no idea there was any controversy regarding their safety, but this time I am planning to be more proactive. Isn't it crazy how the availability of information creates the "need" for more information where there isn't really such? :

warmly,
Kam, mamamama! to Meg

[zion]

early US are mostly used for date. But due date are estimates!!! If you know you lmp and are having no pain or bleeding, although reassuring, it's probably not necessary

[AnditheBee]

I know this is resurrecting a month-old thread, but I was looking for info on ultrasounds, and had to respond here:

Originally Posted by Charles Baudelaire

As you probably know, an embryo can take up to six days or sometimes more to implant in the uterus and start making HCG and a placenta, which is really when pregnancy officially "begins." Therefore, you might have done the happy dance on the 1st, but your blast didn't implant until the 6th, so your due date estimate would be nearly a week off. Early US dating, though, can establish exactly how old it is, down to the day.

Actually, US dating would be measuring the growth of the embryo/fetus, which begins at the moment the fertilized egg starts to split; this happens prior to implantantation. However, it is possible for the sperm to live for a while before the egg is released, so it is conceivable (so to speak ) to have sex on the 1st of the month and not actually have a fertilized egg in you until the 6th.

So yeah, your overall point about "knowing" the due date and the actual due date is well taken.

I have had an early US with both my pregnancies...neither time was totally "necessary" but at least this way they know the actual due date and won't start bugging me when they believe the baby to be overdue. However, one rationale which I haven't seen mentioned here, for routine and even multiple ultrasounds, is simply money.

The small-town OB practice I'm currently going to has a 3D/4D machine, and they seem reaaaaally happy to suggest an US, seemingly at the drop of a hat. I was commenting on this to someone, and they said, "Well, yeah, they have to pay for that multi-million dollar machine!" And even if a practice has an older, paid-for machine, the insurance companies are still going to give them money for each scan that they do.

I'm not saying there aren't legitimate reasons for early and routine US...just that some providers have motivations beyond the diagnosis of potential health problems. It's good to keep this in mind when making your own health care and pregnancy decisions.

[AppleCrisp]

Originally Posted by AndiB

I'm not saying there aren't legitimate reasons for early and routine US...just that some providers have motivations beyond the diagnosis of potential health problems. It's good to keep this in mind when making your own health care and pregnancy decisions.

I am always amazed at how the majority of people still actually think that their doctor and/or medical center is truly altruistic and out to help everyone...healthcare is a business and a lot of patients forget that. Not that aren't a lot of altruistic physicians out there, but there are also a lot who pay more attention to the bottom line, and order procedures or surgeries that may not be strictly necessary. I know where I am they count each and every procedure I do every month and question me if I fall below. Another thing I've seen is procedures being routinely done at teaching hospitals so that residents can get what they need. Anyone ever read "How To Raise A Healthy Child In Spite of Your Doctor"? GREAT book .

This came across kind of negative but I'm not....just some observations. I like drs. I like some hospitals.

[marchmommy]

I dunno why, although you guys are starting to make me wonder, but i have had an ultrasound at every single monthly appointment! And to find out the sex I was given a referral for a level 2 u/s at a digital imaging place in between my appointments. Nothing is wrong, I am completely healthy, and it's pretty nice to have 6 pictures to show off!

[AppleCrisp]

Originally Posted by marchmommy

I dunno why, although you guys are starting to make me wonder, but i have had an ultrasound at every single monthly appointment! And to find out the sex I was given a referral for a level 2 u/s at a digital imaging place in between my appointments. Nothing is wrong, I am completely healthy, and it's pretty nice to have 6 pictures to show off!

If I knew it were 100% safe, I would LOVE to have multiple ultrasounds, but they don't do it at my office. I don't know if the insurance would cover it. They are so busy anyway, they barely spend any time with me as it is, so I doubt they would have time to scan on every appt. I am waiting for 22 weeks for my u/s but that will be it, if all goes well.

[marchmommy]

oh that is sad to hear, that your doctor's office doesn't get to spend much time with you! My OB is the only one in her office and she spends so much time talking to me and my boyfriend about anything and everything. Even called from her home when she was on maternity leave herself to discuss test results, and did research to find my boyfriend the cheapest blood testing place since he doesn't have insurance! Wish you were in VA, I'd give you her number!!!

[Mommyat16]

i am not sure why but i get an us every month to keep checking for the *possible* birth defect and my next one is tuesday. i will probably find out then what it is. at my 8 month us it will be the 3-d one. and every time i go i take a videotape and they record the us for me. it keeps my anxiety in check when ever im not feeling it move as much. i just sit down with the bf and a big bowl of popcorn and watch our little pumpkin swim around.

[AppleCrisp]

Originally Posted by marchmommy

oh that is sad to hear, that your doctor's office doesn't get to spend much time with you! My OB is the only one in her office and she spends so much time talking to me and my boyfriend about anything and everything. Even called from her home when she was on maternity leave herself to discuss test results, and did research to find my boyfriend the cheapest blood testing place since he doesn't have insurance! Wish you were in VA, I'd give you her number!!!

Do you live in VA anywhere near Washington DC? I'm moving there before the baby is born and I will have to find a new practitioner.