Talk to me about early u/s

[Heather Marie]

The MW mentioned last week about possibly doing an early u/s. She didn't go into detail as she said she would discuss that at the appointment on March 16th.

I want to be prepared and know what questions to ask her about this. What can you share with me about early u/s?

[Momma Aimee]

just WHAT she is hoping to see, and how likly it is to be SEEN??? and WHAT can be known / leanred and WHAT good it will do you -- ie how can it help you, or effect what you choose to do

I am hoping for an early US to check plcenta myself

A

[StacieM]

Heather - the questions Aimee gave are good ones. The other thing for you to think about would be whether or not YOU want one after you have the information. I do plan on having one because right now, I feel like I need the reassurance. If I don't see what I want to see however, I know that doing more u/s won't change the outcome. So I know I want the first one. I'm just not sure about subsequent u/s if the first doesn't go well.

You can also ask about the effect on baby. Some believe it does make an impact, others don't feel there's much harm. Why do they want to do one? Like Aimee said, there are certain things that are "usually" seen at different stage, but everyone is different and not all follow the "usual" path. How will you feel if you're one of those that doesn't see baby until 8-9 weeks? Will not seeing baby before then cause unnecessary stress and anxiety?

[greenT]

we had an early ultrasound for our first pregnancy because the midwives wanted to get a sense of how far along the pregnancy was. i had NO questions planned. the ultrasound was amazing at only 6 weeks and few days there was a little heartbeat they showed us (i've heard this is not the same for everyone so do not worry if you don't see such clear results- its only technology). we were so overwhelmed by this image that confirmed that yes, i was really pregnant and things had begun that we barely asked any questions. it felt pretty wild to see this.

so just relax and go through the process. that is all it is. who knows how it will go or what everything will mean... hopefully it will be a great experience.

[Momma Aimee]

good point

for YOU and DP to consider

will you be MORE freaked by the results -- or more reassured?

we will us US but we refuse all other pre-natal testing as we will not term a pg no matter what -- there is no fixing any problem and a false pos would effect em a lot more than the eventual birth would -- buttttttttttttttttttttt that is US -- each mom and couple has to choose (and we chose based on how effect I would be by a wrong test, not DH)

Aimee

[sorteep]

Typically, I am one for NO intervention (heck I made my OB use an old fetoscopes for HB !! so no doppler) buuuuuuut this time, if we make it, I will do a US at the mar 22nd visit for HB (just to know and relieve stress) We will also do one at maybe 11 or 12 wks to assess for genetic abnormalities (nasal atresia, limb length, nuchal fold, thumb anamolies) If that one comes out OK and quad screen is Ok we will stop all testing and doppler then, if tests look funky I would go on to do amnio before we made any, ummmmmm, final decisions.. With this PG we would change the course based on results so therefore we will do more tests than I did with last PG (in 2000) where we did none , not even triple (now quad) screen.. We are in a whole different place with this pg.. providing it's a keeper on it's own, that is. We already have one spec needs kid, I know in my heart of hearts I could not manage another.. sorry if that is upsetting to some, I am just being honest..
Laura

[Momma Aimee]

sorteep -- I was NOT trying to preach, or judge :( We all have to make our decsions based on our currently life situation and the family as a whole

We already have one spec needs kid, I know in my heart of hearts I could not manage another.. sorry if that is upsetting to some, I am just being honest..


I just pray everything is good for you -- I know it will be tough to ask for interventions you have avaoid in the past.............

At a differnt point in Time DH and I may make differnt choices too -- no two of us are walking the same path......

A

[sorteep]

OH Aimee, you are sweet, but we must have been typing at the same time, I was SO not responding to your post there, I had not even seen yours yet! I must have hit post a split second before you!! I was just making a blanket statement! no worries!! I just know that elective termination for genetic reasons is very controversial and not teh *right* decision for everyone. I just don't want to upset anyone firmly opposed to elective term under any circumstances... I have to be honest...

[StacieM]

will you be MORE freaked by the results -- or more reassured?


I think that is the major issue. Last time I ended up wishing that I didn't do an u/s until 7-8 weeks. I'm going in slightly before that this time, but definitely NOT as early as last time.

Laura - hard to be offended when you're being honest. I may not make that same choice, however, I also know that in a different time and place, or in your situation, I cannot say that I would or would not make the same choice. So, no judgment here.

[Michaels-Mommy]

I have never had a problem with US. I had an early one with my last pregnancy because they were trying to determine a due date. I hadn't been keeping track. Could that be why they want to do one?

[monocyte]

Tough decision for us also, but, we do early ones as we loose babies early, and I need to be reassured. But that comes with a risk also.

That being said...I am really a hands off type mama. I learned many things about u/s the hard way; although none can be proven directly as you could never really do such a study. BUT. There is an article I found that attempts to link repeated early u/s with speech and language delay (I don't have time to look for the article now, but its on pubmed). I think my son is a classic example of that. We had repeated (I think like 7 u/s before 12 weeks) as they thought he was a blighted ovum, etc. They were unable to find a heart beat on u/s til about 11 or 12 weeks, and that was scary. My betas were rising, it seemed like I was pg; but, he wasnt developing normally.

I'm not trying to scare anyone as I am going to be the first one in line for a u/s in a week or so...but, just wanted to share my story and hesistation with you all.

Obviously I see the good and the bad of it...would I do that many again, NO. But, would I consent to fewer at greater spaced interval should there be another problem, Yes.

[Heather Marie]

Thank you ladies for sharing your experiences and thoughts. I really appreciate everyones honesty!

I have to say it is really nice that so many of you are on a second, third, or fourth (or maybe more :) ) pregnancy and don't mind sharing your experience and thoughts. I am trying to take advantage of the knowledge that is here.

I really want to go through this pregnancy and be informed about what is happening and what my choices are.

Thanks!!

[Momma Aimee]

it is only my 2nd --but I am more than willing to share my research, my choices and why i made them so that you can make an informed decision that it best for your family and your situation.

We all are going to make different choices, about the same questions, based on the smae -- more or less -- inofrmation. we all live in differnt familyes and different life situations.

However every choice is a good choice if it is MADE (not fallen into) with as much information as possible -- and information froma variety of sources because all sources are biases, some more than others......

Ask away -- I hate to see anyone have to totally re-invent the wheel

Aimee