Should I schedule an ultrasound? Please read for details.?

Question

I am 16 weeks pregnant, and I have only had one ultrasound where I got to see the baby. My next appointment is coming up September 1, and I don't know whether or not I should try to schedule and ultrasound or not. How can they tell if everything is ok with the baby if they don't do an ultrasound?? Should I go ahead and schedule one??

This is my first baby and I m/c my first pregnancy, so I am a little nervous! Thanks.

Answer 1

Talk to your OB. I think that he/she will understand your concerns, and if there aren't any additional ultrasounds coming up in your pregnancy, I am sure they would add one for you. I think you are right to want to see how things are progressing, but the doctor may want you to wait awhile so you can see more development.

With my first daughter I knew she was a girl when I was about 5 months along, and then had a second ultrasound when about 7 1/2 months along to check her development and whether or not she had turned. That doctor even videotaped the ultrasounds. Now with my second daughter I live in a different state and the ultrasounds have been very short. I wouldn't even have had a second one except that I wanted to know the baby's sex.

Anyway, what I'm saying is that every doctor has a different schedule they follow when they are monitoring a pregnancy, and your doctor should be able to adjust his/her schedule to meet your needs. You might have to pay additional charges for the extra ultrasounds, but if they put your mind at ease, it would be worth it.

Answer 2

Ultrasounds are helpful in seeing the growth of the baby, and telling if everything is forming right or not. But they can still tell if a baby is okay or not by listening to the heartbeat and doing your exams. Yes they should be doing ultrasounds about one a month or so for now when you get further along the ultrasounds will be more frequent. And closer to end of the pregnancy you will have to go in once a week for non stress tests where they monitor you and the baby. They can tell if you have contractions and they can hear the heartbeat of the baby. If your really concerned about having and ultrasound talk to your ob the next time you go in. I hope this will help.

Answer 3

The ACOG recommends against the routine use of ultrasound in pregnancy. You should only have an ultrasound if it is medically indicated. I had 3 pregnancies ending in healthy, normal sized babies, but I only ever had ONE ultrasound with my first baby and that was it! None for #2 and #3 because there was no reason to do it. Your baby is probably just fine.....most are perfect! I would not stress about it. Talk to your caregiver and find out what he sees as an indication for an ultrasound. If you had one already and all the organs and things were seen and measured, I would honestly try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

Answer 4

If you did your quad testing, or you are under 30 there is no reason to do an ultrasound at all during your pregnancy until you are around 15-18 weeks, which is what it sounds like they have already done that.

You can try to make an appointment for one if you want to know the sex of the baby and they werent able to find out during your last ultrasound.

Generally they can tell that the baby is healthy based on your health and your rate of growth and weight gain, and by your urine and blood.

That makes it quite safe for them to only do maybe one or two ultrasounds during a pregnancy. Especially if they have no reason to consider you a high risk pregnancy.

Answer 5

Stop stressing yourself out that is not good for the baby. Go to your OB on the 1st and tell her/him your concerns. Your OB will let you listen to the heartbeat. If the OB has any concerns they will send you for an ultrasound otherwise they usually will not do another ultrasound until you are 20+ weeks. The OB does all kinds of test while you are pregnant to make sure everything is OK with the baby. I am 15 weeks pregnant. Have faith in what your OB tells you and trust that if they think something is wrong with the baby they will tell you. Good Luck. Stop Worrying. Have a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy.

Answer 6

No!
Stop now with the ultrasound. You don't need it, and the possible health-effects on your unborn are too dangerous to indulge the practice for no good reason.
If you miscarried your first, it would be far more to the point to find out if your doctor can tell you why than to keep risking the health of your child by checking up on it. Some pregnancies just are not viable, which is one possible cause. As you did not mention incompetent cervix, I am assuming this was not the reason for the loss of your prior pregnancy.
Bear in mind that anything that can penetrate tissue is likely to damage it, and that ultrasound is ionizing radiation, and often used to dissolve things like kidney stones and gallstones. Surely you do not want to whimsically expose your child to such a risk. Do the sensible thing and eat right, exercise as advised by your doctor, and proceed as if this one will come out perfect. If it doesn't, there wasn't much to be done to change things, and if you avoid ultrasound, it has a much better chance.

Answer 7

They'll schedule an ultrasound if they think it's necessary. The mother doesn't schedule these; the doctor's assistant does. Relax.... They have a timetable they follow for ultrasounds, and will know when to do extra ones in between regular times for it. Leave it up to them and try to enjoy the baby. Think peaceful things.... Good luck!

Answer 8

Not all OB doctors will do an ultrasound at each and every appt unless you are high risk. They usually just do one to determine the sex and make sure the baby is measuring according to the information you provided (date of LMP) at your initial appointment.

Talk to your OB doctor and ask questions everytime you go to an appt.

Answer 9

Go over your concerns with your OBGYN. If they feel everything is normal, then they won't schedule another sonogram. Don't be afraid to voice your fears and feelings, part of their job is to help you get through your pregnancy without any undue concerns and fears. Only your Dr can help you figure out when you need a sonogram or any other tests/assistance. Best of luck on your pregnancy hon!!! =)

Answer 10

usually you only have one ultrasound to see the baby and find out the sex anyway. you don't have ultrasounds every month. as long as they can find a heart beat and it is growing, you don't need to see it.