[ConservativeMama]

I'm 24 weeks along with #2. We went with a midwife with #1, but had a poor experience in general, probably because it was in our hearts to be unassisted to begin with, but we were afraid due to inexperience. It ended up that the midwife didn't make it, anyway and we did it on our own - just dh & me. It was great.

This time, I'm going old-fashioned. Unassisted pregnancy and birth all the way. The only thing I would like is a diagnostic ultrasound, for a level of peace of mind for dh and I, and also for some ammunition with those who are critical. There is nothing to indicate that anything is wrong. In many ways, I feel even better with this pregnancy than the first.

I called my regular OB's office today to ask about getting a referral for the US. I was told that unless I was under regular OB/GYN care, my only option for an US is going to the ER! That seemed like a huge brush off to me. Does anyone have experience/advice with this situation? I think it would simplify matters if I could get a US, and am wondering if I have any other options. Thanks all!

 

[TzippityDoulah]

a midwife coud right the order in some states... do you know one that would be willing to do so even if you don't see her? maybe just pay for for one exam/visit worth?

 

[sarahwpen]

I was kind of wondering about this as well for a while. What i came up with was that I could go to the health dept to get my proof of pregnancy letter for the birth certificate, and if i wanted an ultrasound, then go to an ob (not at the place i plan to transfer to in emergency.) . I will probably go and see the ob once at some point just because I am planning a long trip in june, 2 months before my due date and i was thinking about how i would respond if we (hopefully we won't ever have to deal with this of course) were in a car accident driving up there or something was to happen unexpectedly. I am sure they would ask me who my OB is. If i have seen one at some point then i can give that name, but if i have never seen anyone, then I would have nothing to say at all, and I am sure that would throw up more red flags than I would be prepared to handle in such circumstances. I keep putting it off though because i dread it so much and don't really see it as being truly necessary to mine or baby's health.

 

[Talula Fairie]

My midwife sends you to a radiology lab for an u/s if you want one....I don't know if you have to have an actual "order" to get one, though. I agree maybe seeing a midwife for one visit might be a good idea.

I also know that here, you can pay to get one of those 3d ultrasounds. I don't know if those are diagnostic though.

 

[ConservativeMama]

As much as I wanted to avoid contacting my midwife, as we did have a poor care experience, I just shot her an email asking if they can work something out for a referral. Thank you for that. Maybe for just one visit and a US it'll be worthwhile.

 

[rjruiz_415]

I just had a midwife friend I know do a referral. You can not just go into any radiology place, and I do not think the ER would give you an actual diagnostic U/S. MOST 3D/4D places do not do diagnostic U/S, but look around. The place where I got mine done does do them, But you need a referral to get the U/S. If I had not been able to get the referral, then I would have gone to the local clinic or OB office of your choice, and *start* prenatal care with them. I would have just done the one visit, dealt with the crap about not going to a doctor for the first 1/2 of the pg, they would have scheduled an U/S, and then after I got the results, Id be gone...Luckily I did not have to do that.

 

[mellowyellowmama]

In Dallas, there is a clinic you can go to and get an u/s and yes, a midwife can 'order' one too!

 

[freestylemama]

I see that you're in Texas, if I was in your position, I would head south and go to Mexico for an US! If I was planning a UC I definitely wouldn't want to go to an OB. Good luck!

 

[onelilguysmommy]

some doctors offer combo the baby peek type along with diagnostic. search your area, i know theres a couple within a couple hours of me.

 

[accountclosed3]

if all else failed, i would go to the OB for two appts: 1st appt with OB and then 2. u/s. then, i'd drop their care.

 

[ConservativeMama]

haha freestylemama! Only problem is: texas is a big place, and I'm near the OK/LA/TX border. I could probably get to chicago more quickly than Mexico! At least I've done the drive before. But, I hear you. It was probably silly to try the "logical" route of OBs first, knowing the general opinion of UP/UC. But thanks for all the support and ideas, mamas! I really feel like I have some good options now!

 

[Marlet]

With DD2 we wanted one for the same reason. I found a "fetalfotos" type place (though much classier

) and had it done there. I can't remember what I googled. I had posted on Laura's site and someone gave me a tip. It wasn't fetalfotos (it was a legit company

) so we got more than a ouple screen shots and it was enough for us. Maybe try something like that? I don't know how diagnostic you want. Yes they had a "permission slip" for my midwife to fill out but since we didn't have one I fudged a bit.

 

[Devaskyla]

I got a referral from my family dr.

 

[mammamo]

You could get one from a chiropractor too