Early Ultrasound? - Page 2

[mrsbabycakes]

Originally Posted by mamainmass

So here's an update. I went back and forth over whether to even go for this ultrasound so early. In the end I went because I thought maybe it would reassure me considering a miscarriage in Sept. As it turns out, it was too early to give any information. There was a yolk sack but no heartbeat. Meaning, so the doc tells me, it's either too early or the pregnancy isn't viable.

Why did they send me in there when I'm not going to get anything but more stress? Why are they doubting viability already? Even if it wasn't viable, what could I do about it? Then the OB (I normally would see midwives) tells me I "need" to come back next week to do another one. I told her I wouldn't. If it wasn't viable, I'd rather go through it at home rather than wait for the inevitable. She was shocked that I wouldn't want to find out if I'm pregnant. I AM PREGNANT! Who is she to cast doubt? I'm just furious.

I'm thinking of either venting to my midwife or leaving practice altogether. Thanks for "listening".

First, it was silly for her to even do the u/s at 5 weeks. You can't reasonably expect to see a HB until after 6 weeks.

Based on what you wrote (obviously, I wasn't there) I don't think the doc was doubting viability. She just gave you the two scenarios so you would know. Also, many women (when a heartbeat isn't seen, especially because the scan was too early) are worried and want to see the heartbeat to reassure themselves, not to confirm a m/c. She offered you another u/s so you wouldn't have to worry yourself for another 4 weeks.

While I know you're annoyed, think about how many patients this doctor sees every day, how many viable and nonviable pregnancies she sees. I worked in OB for 3 years, I can't tell you how many people I saw come back a week after an ultrasound that was done too early and were SO relieved to see that little heartbeat. I doubt she meant any offense.

Anyway, I'm sorry you're upset. I'm sure everything will be fine!

[Megan_in_Holland]

I'm sorry to hear they freaked you out for no good reason!

Originally Posted by LizzyQ

Having had a miscarriage, it's hard for me to get really excited about it until I see the HB. I don't know why- but I just want to "make sure".

Same here! Most women here in the Netherlands have their first u/s between 8-10 weeks, but when I called to schedule mine, the receptionist said we could do it at 7 1/2 weeks if I wanted since I'm still pretty nervous about this pregnancy (I had a m/c earlier this year). It may not be medically necessary, but it'll certainly be good for my peace of mind!

[Sophiasmomma]

HUGS Mama
My OB/Midwife office wont do an US until 7-9 weeks for fear of not seeing anything and the stress.. Im sorry now that your dealing with this

[songbird45]

My u/s is tomorrow, 6w2d. I'm with the pp who says that it's not real before you see the heartbeat. It's the only thing keeping me from changing my siggy! I'm clearly pregnant, but I want to know for sure if there's an actual baby in there.

[mamainmass]

Based on what you wrote (obviously, I wasn't there) I don't think the doc was doubting viability. She just gave you the two scenarios so you would know. Also, many women (when a heartbeat isn't seen, especially because the scan was too early) are worried and want to see the heartbeat to reassure themselves, not to confirm a m/c. She offered you another u/s so you wouldn't have to worry yourself for another 4 weeks.


I ended up calling a labor nurse friend this morning and this is EXACTLY what she said. I was originally under the impression that she was looking for something to be wrong when in fact she was probably just informing me of all possibilities.

THANKS SO MUCH! This is going to be a long pregnancy if I'm starting off this neurotic!

[Sk8ermaiden]

I'm sorry, but I think (and I'm open to correction!) that doctors using ectopic as a reason for an early US is total crap unless you have risk factors for ectopic or have had one in the past. The number one indicator of an ectopic pregnancy is PAIN. Reasonably severe pain. It is possible to have an ectopic without pain, but is is SO rare that scanning every woman for it borders on insanity.

If we were unsure of dates or had a reason to be worried about the pregnancy we would get one, but we don't, and the studies that are coming out (one of them linked ultrasounds with speech delays of up to 9 months in children!) make me pretty sure we will only get one in the whole pregnancy, unless medically indicated.

I've got nothing against people who do, because all the data isn't in yet, but I'm not comfortable taking that risk with my baby's health. I feel guilty enought just getting the 20 week.

[mrsbabycakes]

Originally Posted by Sk8ermaiden

I'm sorry, but I think (and I'm open to correction!) that doctors using ectopic as a reason for an early US is total crap unless you have risk factors for ectopic or have had one in the past. The number one indicator of an ectopic pregnancy is PAIN. Reasonably severe pain. It is possible to have an ectopic without pain, but is is SO rare that scanning every woman for it borders on insanity.

If we were unsure of dates or had a reason to be worried about the pregnancy we would get one, but we don't, and the studies that are coming out (one of them linked ultrasounds with speech delays of up to 9 months in children!) make me pretty sure we will only get one in the whole pregnancy, unless medically indicated.

I've got nothing against people who do, because all the data isn't in yet, but I'm not comfortable taking that risk with my baby's health. I feel guilty enought just getting the 20 week.

I'm not sure that anyone brought up ectopics... this was about early m/c.

[Sk8ermaiden]

Originally Posted by mangofandango

I was under the impression that they do a vaginal ultrasound early in the pregnancy to ensure that the pregnancy is in the uterus and not a fallopian tube or other place it's not supposed to be in. They can see that at 6 weeks or so. To me, knowing the pregnancy is in the right place is important, so I don't see it as an unnecessary procedure.

This was.

I keep seeing this reason being given in other DDCs, and it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[mrsbabycakes]

Originally Posted by Sk8ermaiden

This was.

I keep seeing this reason being given in other DDCs, and it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Got it. Well, some people have family history or previous history of ectopics. Ectopic pregnancies are not THAT rare. We saw them often enough at my office, and they were life threatening when not caught at 8 weeks or so. Some weren't caught until the u/s because the woman didn't feel pain.

I have to say, I'm more afraid of an ectopic than a miscarriage, so I can understand why women would like to see that their little bean is in the right spot.

Ectopics happen, they cause hemorrhaging, they require surgery. It's serious stuff, worth ruling out as far as I'm concerned, but that's just my 3 years of OB experience talking. It's a personal decision.

[jwoodbri]

I'm having an early one done because I'm at risk for ectopic (scarring left from appendix rupture) but they are waiting until my HCG levels are above 2000. I don't think they will see much except check that it's in the right place. But so far my HCG levels are looking good!

[songbird45]

They saw a heartbeat this morning!! And I'm measuring at exactly 6 weeks today. They released me from the infertility clinic to see my regular OB or midwife (I'm seeing a midwife). I thought it would be harder to make the transition but I think I'm ready to be treated as normal. I really hope this is a totally boring uncomplicated pregnancy!