Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I called my doctor today to schedule my 12 week appointment. I asked if we'll be doing a sonogram during the visit (since I havent had one yet). She said no. So, I asked "oh, so when will we check for the heartbeat?" and she replies "We check the heartbeat at each visit with a doppler. We only do ONE sono/ultrascreen throughout the entire pregnancy, and its at your 20 week visit". Maybe I'm over-reacting, but I feel like thats rediculous. How can they be sure the baby is developing correctly without seeing it? And what about checking for multiples?? I wont know until 20 weeks?

Anyone else's doctors office do this? Does it seem normal, because I'm sort of upset about it.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

That is ridiculous, I am 5 weeks 2 days and I have a a sono scheduled on the 22nd and every month after. I think you need to find a new doctor. Just my opinion but I like having the sono every month and hear the heartbeat and see it and just be able to look at my baby. Plus, sono's help detect if there are any problems that might arise and make sure the baby is ok. Only doing ONE sono at weeks 20ish and that's it.....i would be moving to another doctor but it's your pregnancy. Good luck!

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I'm surprised that your doctor doesn't do a 12 week, NT or Sequential Screen test. I would call back, speak with someone ELSE and ask them about that test.

Part of it is done with blood - but the other part is measuring the baby, etc...

Every doctor is different, every practice is different, but it definitely seems ODD that you would have no U/S until week 20.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

This is not unheard of.

Actually, medically there is no reason to have to have a sonogram until 20 weeks. That is your anatomy scan where they review and scan each body part to check for physical issues. Before that any sono they do, the baby isn't big enough anyway for them to see any physical malformations or abnormalities. They will tell by your blood tests whether the baby has any genetic issues. And they can hear the HB with the doppler to make sure it sounds ok.

At the 12 week ultrascreen they do a down's screening my measuiring the fold at the back of the baby's neck, but even this test is not mandatory and lots of moms skip it.

Also, lots of insurances do not cover any other sonograms besides the 20 week one and then any others afterwards that are determined medically necessary by your OB for whatever reason.

It stinks that you won't get to see your little one, but unfortunately they're not mandatory. Maybe you can call your insurance and see if they do cover earlier sonos. If so, maybe see if you can switch to a dr that will perform them as long your insurance covers them.

Message edited 12/12/2008 2:22:52 PM.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Posted by Mikismom

Posted by hoping2bmommy

That is ridiculous, I am 5 weeks 2 days and I have a a sono scheduled on the 22nd and every month after. I think you need to find a new doctor. Just my opinion but I like having the sono every month and hear the heartbeat and see it and just be able to look at my baby. Plus, sono's help detect if there are any problems that might arise and make sure the baby is ok. Only doing ONE sono at weeks 20ish and that's it.....i would be moving to another doctor but it's your pregnancy. Good luck!

most doctors do not do a sono every month, there is no need for that unless you are high risk

I DO think that you should have one between 8-10 weeks to check for heartbeat and multiples though

How about doing the 12 week ultrascreen? This includes a sonogram

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

In my opinion the 12 week sono/ultrascreen is too important to miss. I would find a new Dr.

I go to Great Neck OB/GYN and I am very happy with them.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I have to agree with some of the other posters. At the very least you should be getting a 12 week ultrasound to check for down's. Then there is a 20 week, and depending on the practice, that might be it. Some doctor's do a growth sono, but not all believe in doing it.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I have heard of your situation but in rare instances. I had about 5 sonograms before 20 weeks (probably more than most because I was IVF and did prenatal diagnostic testing).

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Posted by davenjess

I'm surprised that your doctor doesn't do a 12 week, NT or Sequential Screen test. I would call back, speak with someone ELSE and ask them about that test.

Part of it is done with blood - but the other part is measuring the baby, etc...

Every doctor is different, every practice is different, but it definitely seems ODD that you would have no U/S until week 20.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Posted by Lizzy

Posted by davenjess

I'm surprised that your doctor doesn't do a 12 week, NT or Sequential Screen test. I would call back, speak with someone ELSE and ask them about that test.

Part of it is done with blood - but the other part is measuring the baby, etc...

Every doctor is different, every practice is different, but it definitely seems ODD that you would have no U/S until week 20.

I totally agree with Jess. Call and ask someone else and if that really is their policy, I would find another OB

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I had one at 8 weeks, and one at 12 weeks. Next up for me is 20 week/level 2.

Other than that, it's the doppler. All practices vary on how many sonos they deem necessary. If you are uncomfortable, I would switch.

As for the ultrascreen, I never had it and wouldn't care if the doctor offered it or not.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I had an internal at 8 1/2 weeks

At 12 weeks - I had an ultrasound but it was also the first genetic screening. This was done in a separate office at Madonna Perinatal.

My next sono is my level II at 20 weeks...after that - I have no idea!

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Posted by Bridex100

Posted by Lizzy

Posted by davenjess

I'm surprised that your doctor doesn't do a 12 week, NT or Sequential Screen test. I would call back, speak with someone ELSE and ask them about that test.

Part of it is done with blood - but the other part is measuring the baby, etc...

Every doctor is different, every practice is different, but it definitely seems ODD that you would have no U/S until week 20.

I aggree!! I had a sono at 8 Weeks to check for a heartbeat. I needed to see the baby, and make sure I was actually PG and everything was okay. Plus, the 12 week sono is for a reason. I know a lot of people choose not to do the NT test, but I find it important.

I totally agree with Jess. Call and ask someone else and if that really is their policy, I would find another OB

I concur! This is such a standard test and for your obgyn practice to not do such a standard test would concern me.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

i think thats kinda of strange but not unheard of. if you are uncomfortable with this and they will not accomodate you then i would find a new doc.

i had a internal at 6.5 weeks

i have an apt on the 22 then an ultrasound between that apt and 13 weeks. (for the NT)

then again at 20 weeks the level 2.

i would call your office again and speak to someone else.. if they give you the same answer id start looking else where

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

I do know that every OB has a different protocol on sonos and also every patient is different. I have had 3 sonos already but I am high risk. ( I am 10 weeks)
I had my first @ 6w4d, #2 @ 8 weeks, and then #3 @ 9W4D
#1 and #3 were done at Madonna Perinatal for High RIsk reasons.

With that being said, that is not the norm. usually I hear they do #1 @ around 8 weeks to establish dates and see if there are multiples.
Contrary to what someone said on here a few posts back, the 12 week Nuchal Scan is NOT Standard. It is an OPTIONAL screening exam that is broken down into 2 parts, bloodwork and a sono. However, the test is available, despite not mandatory, you should have the option to have it done if you want.
I would question your OB on that.

HTH!
Good Luck

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Definitley not unheard of. My OB asked me if I wanted the 12 week ultrasound and I did bc I am of "advanced maternal age" If I declined, then they would have waited. With both of my children, i had very few ultrasounds. I am in NJ and a lot of my friends had the same situation with their OB's. I think you should request the 12 week if you want and I am sure they woud accomodate you.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

i had a sono done with my previous doctor, but my new practice (midwives) only do the level II anatomy scan at 20 weeks. they give you the option of an ultrascreen (between 10-13 weeks i believe is the time period).

it may be that your dr only does the 20 week sono as a standard, but they do have to offer you the option to have the ultrascreen (and other tests like it) done.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

if this was me..and again this is just MY opinion I would look for another Dr. It seems almost lax that a Dr wouldn't do a sono until that far along...So many things can be seen and measured with each sono and even though to you in the beginning it looks like a little bean at least you can see it for real and know they are doing ok....Maybe you can ask your Dr. if they make any acceptions on this and request one sooner..if not you may want a new Dr...Sorry!

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Well, I live out of the country and because of the way the health system runs in this country I can't even get in to see a doctor until Feb 23 when I will be 18 Weeks!!!

That will be my first OB/GYN appt. I hate it. I feel like that's way too late. I am on the hunt for another doc but it's not looking very hopeful.

Re: Anyone's doctors not do ANY ultrasound/sonogram before 20 weeks??

Its not unheard of to not have any sonos before 20 weeks. If you are young and don't have any health risk factors then there is really no reason to have the ultra screen done, it is just a SCREENING test..... I never had it done just the 20 W with my midwife group. Some women that see my practice have NO sonos done, but it is their decision.

This being said though, I think that as a patient if you request to have a screening procedure such as the ultra screen done your practitioner should comply with the request and allow you to have it. WHether or not the insurance company will cover it is ENTIRELY a different topic. Many insurance companies have "Criteria" for what exams/procedures they will cover. If your physician can't prove that you fall under the criteria the insurance company has every right and will REFUSE the claim.....

The ultra screen originally was intended for women with:
Advanced maternal age
Family HX of developmental issues
Family HX of Down's or other neural tube defects
Significant medical conditions that can effect the pregnancy and a few other things.

For some reasons OB's started offering the exam and just sending every pregnant women for one so people think they are a standard test. 10 Years ago most women didn't have them. The have a high rate of false positives that can lead to further invasive testing such as an amnio.

The ultrascreen does NOT tell you if the baby is developed normally since MAJOR developement is still occuring the spinal cord and brain are still not completely fused and major organ development is still occuring.

The purpose of the 20 week "anatomy" scan is to make sure everything is as it should be.

I'm sorry you are upset. Hopefully this info will help some. If you are unhappy with the way your physician responds to your "requests" and doesn't offer enough clarification or explanation for you that makes you comfortable with the reasoning behind their decision then I suggest you look for a new physician. You have to be able to TRUST and feel completely comfortable with your practitioner.

But I wouldn't just change practices cause they don't reccomend an ultra screen if they provide proper explanation and you are comfortable with everythign else........