[hairpin]

How many ultrasounds are necessary during a pregnancy?

I've already had 2, and now I'm scheduled for my 3rd only at 20 weeks. Is this really necessary?

I think I have a lot of hormones acting up in the past few days and I feel like lashing out. But why so much treatment, when I'm fine?

I think I need to go do some boxing or something to let some steam off.

:

I might just refuse to do the next one. I thought the standard was one for every trimester!!!

 

[2+twins]

I think the "standard" (although this is going to vary from provider to provider) is 2 during pregnancy. One around 9-11 weeks and one around 18-20 weeks. How many are really necessary? None. Unless you have some reason to suspect a problem which u/s can rule out or in, then there isn't any medical need to have one done. You absolutely can decline to have more done if you so choose. It's all up to you.

 

[BeeandOwlsMum]

I will be having my third at 20 weeks.

First one was to make sure that there was only one and to see how things were going. Second one was because the doc couldn't find the heartbeat with a doppler. (And I am glad he looked cause I would have been freaked if he hadn't, and I left without knowing things were okay.)

The one at 20 weeks is to measure things and make sure everything is on date, gender detection, placenta location...

I am going to have that one, and that will be it. I am pretty at peace with how many I have had....this coming from a girl who never wanted any...

None are necessary. If there is a problem, then they might be a good idea, but not necessary. Decline whatever you like.

 

[hairpin]

Yeah, I'm not going to worry about it too much. I think I'm totally hormonal, had a HORRIBLE time talking to a midwife at my practice, and kind of blew things out of proportion. I just imagine they're going to be adding on ultrasound after ultrasound though when I get close to the due date. I was under the impression that I'd be coming in every week and getting ultrasounds, which really got on my nerve.

I just don't see the big point of all this testing/checking, when I feel like everything's going ok. It's funny you meet some doctors/midwives with the same outlook as yourself. Things look pretty normal and they have a positive outlook. While some doctors run around like chicken little, expecting something to go wrong at any time. How am I supposed to stay relaxed, when people are reinforcing negative possiblities? Maybe I'm just really sensitive. Anyways, I'm never going to see that midwife again.

 

[mom2bMN]

The "standard" for ultrasounds in the US is in fact zero. There has not been shown to be any benefit to routine ultrasound at ANY point in pregnancy, and there is no recommendation to do even one.

The only reason for an early routine ultrasound (what I mean by routine is there's no good reason to do it- bleeding, supsect ectopic, etc) is to confirm the due date. If you're sure about that, why do it? I see so many having early u/s for no reason, and I can't figure it out.

The best time for a 'routine' ultrasound, if you're going to have one, is between 18-22 weeks. They can still be within approx 2 weeks on dating criteria, and it is the best time to screen the baby for anomalies and locate the placenta. Again, this has not been found to be beneficial. There are SO many things that cannot be seen on an ultrasound, and FAR too often they see something suspicious that worries the parents only to find out in time everythings fine.

Its different, of course, with a specific concern or problem in a pregnancy that ultrasound can help rule out or follow. There are some very specific (and limited) times when the technology can be very beneficial.

That's my (somewhat biased) opinion on it, based on the facts.

 

[Black Orchid]

Another vote for zero here! I had two, to ensure I was not having an ectopic, but hopefully that will be it. We have no interest in knowing the gender and I think it will just temp us if we have the physical scan in a few weeks. I'm planning to talk it over with my m/w on Monday, but I'm pretty sre we're done with u/s... which will be completely different that with my DD- we had 6 or 8!

 

[hannahi]

I decided to have an early U/S for dating purposes last month. I had planned to follow up with the level II u/s and blood tests that are part of the Nuchal Translucency test. I decided not to go through with the rest of the NT testing after the initial u/s. However, a week after the u/s, the doctor's office called me to let me know that they saw a golf-ball sized cyst on my left ovary that they want to watch(there are two smaller ones on my right ovary)...so I have to have another u/s next week, at 16 weeks. I could have done without the first u/s, because I knew my approximate ovulation/conception date, and I would not have found out about the cysts, which are causing me (probably) needless worry!

:

Hannah
EDD 4/19/06

 

[nwaddellr]

I had an interesting conversation with my midwife at my 12 week appointment. She shared the fact that most prenatal care doesn't actually *improve* the outcome of the pregnancy - all you're doing is checking to make sure it's all going as planned. If not, it's not like they can do much about it. Abou the only advantage of going to the midwife/doctor on a regular basis is to develop a good relationship with them so you feel more comfortable during delivery.

 

[BeeandOwlsMum]

Yeah - pretty much everything I have done is to make sure things are going like they are supposed to.

After three years of trying and an IVF...that is what I need for my peace of mind.

 

[KittyKat]

There is no "medical" reason to have any ultrasound in an uncomplicated normal pregnancy.

I am seeing a CNM practice and I am refusing all U/S. One of the "med-wives" (who doesn't do births thank God!) wanted me to get one to "confirm my dates" even though I am 100% certain of my "dates" butthe main midwife said it was fine that I measured "ahead" and we'd just keep an eye on things.

I declined the 20 week one, I just see no reason to put myself through every test and poking and prodding when it's not going to change the outcome or affect what I do in regards to the pregnancy.

Kathryn

 

[eilonwy]

I will have one next month to make sure that there are no congenital abnormalities which might need to be addressed shortly after birth; we've got a fairly high risk of that happening. I'm pretty sure that this baby is fine, but I'd like to be more sure.

If this pregnancy follows the same course as my previous two, I won't have the birth I'm hoping for-- my water will break and I will not go into labor. If that happens, I'll have an ultrasound to prove that yes, my water did break and probably to prepare for a c-section; I don't think I'm willing to go more than 48 hours with my water broken and no labor, that just freaks me out, you know? And having had a prior c-section, I'm not a great candidate for induction.

How many is standard? Most doctors will offer a dating ultrasound (some will insist, though why is beyond me) and a later ultrasound to check the sex & major organs, assuming that your pregnancy is entirely uneventful. It depends on your care provider and how tense they are. My doctor isn't particularly tense; when I told him that I wanted an ultrasound to make sure that everything was cool with BooBah, he asked "If you found out that something was wrong, would you be likely to terminate the pregnancy? Because if that's not the case, you should really think long and hard before having an ultrasound."

He's one of those cool people who actually (gasp!) reads his journals.

He never asked me if I wanted a dating ultrasound this time around; I told him that I was charting and I knew when I ovulated and he said, "well that's gonna be more accurate than anything else we might get."

Anyway, we've scheduled the ultrasound for this one because my daughter (BooBah) does have a congenital defect, and it's very important to me to make sure that this baby *doesn't* have a similar one. It's the only ultrasound that I'm planning to have, though I'm not ruling out the possibility of another, like I said before.

 

[BethSLP]

None for me. Not necessary and I feel that some research shows U/S to be somewhat disturbing for the baby. In the first trimester, there are sometimes cellular changes....although they don't know what that means yet.

I allowed one doppler last week for less than a minute (same technology as u/s). I felt okay about that.

Everyone is different though. I know some people who are thrilled to have the u/s for peace of mind. Because I feel the mom's emotions are very tied to the baby's experience of things, anything that lessens anxiety seems good to me.

But I think the reason for routine ultrasounds has a little more to do with cash flow than concern.....sorry for being such a conspiracy theorist

XOXOXO
Beth

 

[girl138]

I think that, even though most ultrasounds aren't medically necessary, people request them for peace of mind. I know that this holds true for me,at least.

At my first midwife appointment, I was told that my midwife doesn't ordinarily order ultrasounds unless there is reason to suspect a omplication. I immediately asked her if she could make an exception for me, because I really wanted to make sure that everything was OK. Of course, she agreed and I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks.

I just got her to prescrive a second one for me so that I can peek at the baby's gender..

If I didn't want to know so badly I would have had none.... and I am sure that there are plenty of women out there that did the same thing...

 

[KittyKat]

Quote:

I think that, even though most ultrasounds aren't medically necessary, people request them for peace of mind.

But if the EVIDENCE show that the U/S does not change the outcomes, isn't it a false sense of security that the U/S provides?

Is the answer really to just go along with every woman who wants an U/S (I realize there ARE legitimate reasons for use of U/S, but I am troubled by the growing rate of overuse I have been seeing) or is to to educate people on the facts so their peace of mind can be based on a genuine trust of their bodies and the pregnancy/birth process?

I'm not trying to pick on you Jenna, or anyone else who chooses to use U/S technology, heck I had ultrasound(s) with several of my pregnancies and my kids are "just fine" etc. etc.

I'm just kind of thinking out loud about the state of pregnancy/birth care today.

Kathryn

 

[BethSLP]

My biggest complaint is the lack of research into the safety of U/S. Years ago, docs routinely did X-rays on pregnant women and the babies were "just fine"....until they developed cancer that is... Know what I mean?

I don't say that to scare anyone, simply because I think its good to raise awareness. Most people don't even know there's a controversy, cell cavitation, etc. I wouldnt know this unless I read a lot on MDC. I was thankful for the knowledge.

It irritates me to no end how little research is conducted on something SO important.

I agree with KittyKat. We should be encouraged to trust the process, rather than do a million tests that make us question our body's abilities. But of course, its a very personal decision.

XOXO
Beth

 

[eilonwy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KittyKat But if the EVIDENCE show that the U/S does not change the outcomes, isn't it a false sense of security that the U/S provides?

I'm curious as to what evidence you're talking about. It's true that in most low-risk pregnancies an ultrasound won't change an outcome, but I can think of plenty of cases where ultrasound does change outcomes, and for the better. Yes, I do believe that ultrasound is overused in America, but there are lots and lots of people around today who literally owe their lives or the lives of their children to ultrasound technology. Not the majority, but enough in my mind to justify any potential risk (which has been found to be quite minimal/nonexistant when we're talking about your typical ultrasound examinations during pregnancy).

Quote:

Is the answer really to just go along with every woman who wants an U/S (I realize there ARE legitimate reasons for use of U/S, but I am troubled by the growing rate of overuse I have been seeing) or is to to educate people on the facts so their peace of mind can be based on a genuine trust of their bodies and the pregnancy/birth process?

You're right-- some education needs to happen. Where should it begin? My thought is that it needs to begin with the media and the culture of fear which they work so hard to perpetuate. The same thing that makes Americans afraid of gun violence in school and poisoned Halloween candy and strangers abducting their children is what makes women afraid that something might be wrong with their baby/pregnancy. While I personally don't see any problem with women having an ultrasound or two to ease their minds, the question of what you're looking for and why you're looking must be asked. Most women don't have the opportunity to make an informed decision when it comes to ultrasound (or medical care in general) and that's a shame. So please, do what you can-- disseminate information; just do it without scare tactics and offensive, holier-than-thou statements. Those don't solve the problem, they simply perpetuate the culture of fear and push it in a different direction.

 

[BeeandOwlsMum]

I think that it is a pretty personal choice. We all weigh risks for everything we do during pregnancy and for our kids, and make choices.

I was originally not going to have any ultrasounds...but I gotta tell you - telling an infertile woman to "trust" the process...not gonna happen.

. I don't trust my body - my body hasn't worked right for 3 years, why do I think it is gonna start now? Those first two u/s helped assure me that in fact, it WAS working. And I feel FAR more confident about the fact that just because I can't conceive on my own, doesn't mean I can't grow a baby just fine. It has led to me trusting my body more than if I had not had them.

I think they are overused. I think there might be dangers. But I also think that like anything, they are a tool to be used wisely and when needed. And if the mom being worried is the only need...who am I to say that need is not worthy?

I went through a lot of this same argument when I was going through infertility treatment. People asking if I was worried about having a "litter", or about the drugs or about conceiving "unnaturally" (sometimes people suck - what can I say?). And the fact is- no one in their right mind would undergo IVF just cause. But it is a tool, and when used correctly you end up with what I got - minimal side effects and one baby.

People use ART unethically, people use medicine unethically. But just because someone uses something poorly does not negate all benefit that it has.

I am pretty moderate about u/s. I have had more than most everyone on this DDC I would imagine. I don't think they are the bane of medicine - nor do I think they are going to save everyone.

I don't know - I guess I am just saying that I respect a woman's choice to have an u/s, or not, to use the doppler or only the fetascope. I trust that a woman, especially on this board, knows what is best for her, and her baby. This doesn't mean that I don't have conversations about it, or chat with others about why, and question them if they say "just cause the doc said so"....but ultimately, I have to respect their choices too.

Anyway...

Apparently i am feeling verbose this morning.

 

[BethSLP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdinaL I don't know - I guess I am just saying that I respect a woman's choice to have an u/s, or not, to use the doppler or only the fetascope. I trust that a woman, especially on this board, knows what is best for her, and her baby. This doesn't mean that I don't have conversations about it, or chat with others about why, and question them if they say "just cause the doc said so"....but ultimately, I have to respect their choices too.

Absolutely. I totally agree and I respect everyone's choices. But like one of the recent Mothering Magazines, I question how much "informed consent" we actually take part in when information is not so readily available. Like the OP said, she thought they were "standard" when in reality, in my mind, there is nothing standard about pregnancy....rather a large array of choices.

I want all mamas to have choices....and informed ones at that. Thats all! I respect all your choices, mamas!

XOXOXO
Beth

 

[ktkb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdinaL I think they are overused. I think there might be dangers. But I also think that like anything, they are a tool to be used wisely and when needed. And if the mom being worried is the only need...who am I to say that need is not worthy?

:

Having BTDT, pregnancy after infertility is an entirely different animal. (IMO

) By this point in my pg with dd, I had had u/s at weeks 5,6,7, and 12. (This time I had a dating u/s at 8 weeks and a hb check at 14 weeks.) I remember being told by my RE that I could start seeing a regular OB and saying, "But what about my next ultrasound?" Plus I have very little in the way of pg symptoms, so between weeks 12 and 19 (my level 2 u/s...plus that was about when I could start feeling her kick) I was a total basket case.

This time--different pregnancy, different circumstances. I definitely needed the first u/s to determine dating, plus to set my mind at ease re: ectopic/twins. I'll have the 20 week one too, but I don't feel like I need the reassurance every 6 seconds like last time!

 

[lmonter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairpin How many ultrasounds are necessary during a pregnancy?

For OB care, I thought it was one, around 20ish weeks to check for abnormalities. But that's in an uneventful pregnancy.

With ds I had one around 20 weeks to make sure he was developing okay, then another at 38 weeks because the OB couldn't tell what position ds was in by feel and he wanted to see whether ds was breech or not.

Not sure whether we're going to do an ultrasound this time around or not. Still debating that.