Ultrasound

[Thalia]

Is there any reason for us to do an ultrasound in week 6? I just got my blood levels back, and they are nice and normal, according to the RE, and they offered to schedule me for an ultrasound next week.

My question is, do I need an ultrasound if everything looks normal and I have no spotting? I didn't even want to go in for the blood test at first, but thought I might as well since it's our first and insurance should cover it.

I know there's probably a gazillion threads on this in "I'm Pregnant", but I thought I'd solicit your opinions. Are you getting an ultrasound? Why or why not?

[Zaxmama]

its completely up to you.. I had a US at 7 weeks with DS, because I had fears of an ectopic pg due to results of my fertility test the year prior. (when they told me I would NEVER concieve..uh yeah!!!) its cool cuz you will see a lil bean sprout with a Heart beat but thats about it...I am going to wait longer this time...because I actually dont have insurance yet. my dh JUST strted his new job on april10..(guess how we celebrated heheh) so I wont have insurance until august 1st. so I am going to see if I can apply for state medicaid for now at least. So again its your call one way or the other I don't think it would hurt and it might ease any worries you have..

[KatSG]

(Not in your ddc, but I have recent experience with this...)

I had one at 8 weeks because I was caught off guard by my pregnancy, have issues with anxiety, and just needed to know everything was okay. It was. There honestly isn't that much to look at this stage so if you're feeling fine, I suggest you skip it.

I then had one at 12 weeks instead of the quad screen and sort of regret that now. It diagnosed complete previa, which freaked out my MW, which freaked me out, until I figured out that it would almost certainly move, which it did. I could have done without that u/s and would not do that again.

[Apwannabe]

Nope there is no rason to have an ultrasound. They just do it to get a EDD as long as you know your datesa are right they are going to be more accurate than an ultrasound.
I'm not in DDC but seen this post and Iam in the middle of big debate on ultrasounds on another board and it grabbed my attention. I never knew an ultrasound debate could get so heated. lol

[tempestjewel]

I think it really depends on the situation and each individual mother. I'm considered high-risk (though I'm trying to fight off that label), otherwise I wouldn't be having an early ultrasound.

There really isn't much to see, unless there are concerns (like needing to confirm that its not ectopic, etc).

I'd just say do your research and go with your gut.

[jessjillbolyer]

It would be totally up to you!! I like seeing my baby so if I was offered I would do it, but that is just me!

[Carrie Posey]

I will be getting one because of a prior fallopian tube surgery, but if you don't have any risk factors for eptopic I wouldn't bother- with my son it really was just a flickering light on the screen, kind of cool but not necessary.

[Thalia]

thanks guys!

I guess DH and I will have to discuss it. Yet another reason to get a hold of my sister and tell her: she's an OB 3rd year resident and might be able to give me some perspective on this (so handy to have an OB for a sister!).

My gut says that I don't need one (and I hate having to drink all that water and hold it: had an ultrasound for an ovarian cyst years ago and holding all that pee was super uncomfortable). I also need to find out if my insurance covers it--and whether it is medically necessary.

KatSG, where is the ultrasound debate? Is it on Mothering? I've tried searching and couldn't find anything.

[Tofu the Geek]

I'm from August DDC, but at week 6 you may not even be able to see the baby via a regular ultrasound. Usually at that stage they would do a vaginal ultrasound and you do not need a full bladder for that. This was the case for me, didn't see babe on regular ultrasound, but vaginal showed it. I only had one because I as having bleeding with clots (and I had thought the clots were tissue) so went to the ER and they did one.

I am surprised you are being offered one this early in the game. Around here they don't do one until around 20 weeks.

[Carrie Posey]

My early ultrasound was a vaginal too.

[meggles]

I don't think there is any reason to have an early ultrasound, especially if you are sure of your dates and your hCG is doubling nicely. I think it is reassuring for some women, so that might be a reason, but if you're skeptical then skip it. The same thing happened to me today. I was talking to the fertility nurse and she said that we can schedule an ultrasound when my hCG hits 12,000. It's just a standard of care in the medical model. You can choose to go ahead with it or not.

Congrats on your good numbers! I'll find out Friday the results of my 2nd beta (the first one was 211 at 14dpo).

[Thalia]

So we decided not to do one

I met with my naprapath for a treatment for the tight muscles in my shoulders and legs last night, and it was so fun to tell her we are pregnant. I had to tell her because there are a lot of procedures that she will avoid with pregnant patients. I mentioned the fact that the RE offered an ultrasound and she said not to do it. She said that there is always a slight risk with an ultrasound and procedures like it, even if very very small, because sound waves can have an effect on growing tissue. She said that if everything is going well and you're not at risk, you don't need to have an ultrasound, ever, actually. She said in more high-risk cases the very small risk of having the ultrasound is outweighed by the information they can get from it, but in my case, I probably don't need it.

I told DH about this and he agreed and doesn't want to do one. So that's one less thing to schedule!

[earthie_mama]

I have read of a few studies that talk about how ultrasound stops the division of cells?? in lab mice. I also read of a large study done in England? that found that there was an increased chance of brain cell damage if you get an ultrasound. There is no study proving it is safe, nor on proving it is harmful. There is also some benefits of being able to "take a peek in there" and some things may be prevented if you know the "interior situation" but I am going to ask for a quick,. low-level U/s if I get on at all....we'll just see, but I def won't get one until 20 weeks, if then.

[meggles]

I actually saw a video during a Midwifery workshop that showed cells before and after ultrasound. The "before" cells were normal, round, rapidly dividing cells. The "after" cells were horrendous--unorganized, weird-shaped, and going every which way. It's pretty spooky. I think it's more of a problem early on when the baby is developing so quickly.