How many ultrasounds are normal?

Question

I am 9 1/2 weeks pregnant. I had an ultrasound at my first doctors appointment to confirm pregnancy which I measured 6 weeks and 5 days, they said I will not have another one until 18-22 weeks. I am very nervous and would like to have another one at around 12 weeks even if I have to pay for it myself. I even have cysts on my ovaries and they said not to worry about them that we will check them at the 18 week visit. How normal is this?

Answer 1

So far, there is no any evidence that ultrasound having effects to the baby or the mother so if you feel doing it will relieve your concerns then do it.

Normally an ultrasound is done at about 22 weeks, then repeated about twice before the delivery not unless if there is any abnormality condition which needs frequent monitoring.

About your ovary cyst, it is not to be worried this time. I had before multiple fibroid on my first pregnancy and there was no any problem at all until I delivered. It resolved after a year on its own without treatment. ♥

Answer 2

The cysts sound pretty normal.
Some caregivers NEVER do an u/s unless there is a medical indication for one. It's actually recommended that they NOT be a routine procedure.
I had one u/s at about 16 weeks with my first. No u/s at all with babies #2 or #3. All three were perfectly healthy.
Your doc wants the next one at 18-22 weeks because at that stage he can check the growth and development of different organs, etc. (NOT because "it's the best time to tell the sex" as someone suggested! Docs don't schedule medical tests so you can paint your nursery!) He would probably not be able to get the info he wants at only 12 weeks.

ETA:
Totally agree about what the other person who posted about ACOG not recommending u/s as routine said.

Answer 3

Two to three is pretty normal. For both of mine I had one to confirm pregnancy and check how far along I was. Then at 19-20 weeks I had a second. My second baby, I had to have a third because there was too much amniotic fluid and my doc wanted to check it out. But the schedule your doc told you is normal. I wouldn't worry too much about the cysts either. It's nothing major and unless you begin to feel unbearable pain I wouldn't worry about it. I hope this helps. I know I would have liked to have more ultrasounds just to see how the baby was growing. Also, if you look online there are places that you can go to without a doc's prescr. and get an ultrasound done, some 3Dor 4D, but they can be rather expensive.

Answer 4

I have a cyst on my right ovary right now and I'm in my 13th week of pregnancy,,,, Ultrasounds are not the safest thing for your baby....There is sooo much unknown to whether or not they will cause damage if you have too many. I think that you shouldn't worry too much about the cysts. If the doctor suggested 18-22 weeks, he/she probably isn't too worried about the cysts, which should be reasurring to you and you shouldn't have to worry until your next ultrasound and you might find that they have ruptured, which as far as i have heard, is what we would expect or want. GOod luck!

Answer 5

With my first daughter I had one u/s done through the whole pregnancy. I have cysts on my ovaries also, and a tilted uterous. But with the pregnancy I am in now (17 wks) I have already had 3 U/S done and have another one in 4 days. Just go with the doctors and if they think anything is wrong or anything to worry about they will do a u/s. Good Luck

Answer 6

It is normal here in Ontario to have an initial u/s and than not again until 18 weeks. There really isn't much to do between those times and the less exposure to baby the better. The only way the doc will order another is if there is a problem. Look at it as positive that they do not want to do another until then. That means baby is good. They will also have a better idea at 18 weeks of how far along you are. Good luck

Answer 7

For a normal pregnancy you typically only have two or three. One in the beginning to check dates and growth, one about half way through to check growth and possibly gender, and one at the end to make sure the baby is in the head down position and there are no complications. Not everyone gets one at the end but sometimes. If everything is okay you don't need an ultrasound, by then you can feel the kicking and movement. Good luck!

Answer 8

Pretty standard. The first one is to get an accurate due date, and the second is check development & growth. There's really no treatment for the cysts on your ovaries now that you're pregnant, so another ultrasound won't change your doctor's course of action, regardless of the outcome of that ultrasound.

Answer 9

I only had one at about 20 weeks. ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) does not even recommend routine ultrasounds. Their safety is unknown, and diagnostic capabilities are not strong with great potential for misdiagnosis. The question you need to ask yourself is: what can I find out from an ultrasound, and what would I do with the information if I had it? For many women, the answer is 'nothing'. In that case, to have an ultrasound would be pointless. That's not to say that ultrasounds have no value. But you should be clear on what that value is before getting one -- before having any medical procedure done, obviously.

Answer 10

yes that is very normal....some doctors dont like to do more than necessary ultrasounds and from 18-22 weeks is the best time to see the sex of the baby..if it allows it...unless you are in a high risk catergory then you should be fine..the doc is a professional and they know what they are doing..and it depends on your insureance about wanting another US and having to pay for it yourself...my insureance that I had when I was pregnant with my daughter only allowed 1 per pergnancy unless complications occured...US are expensive..usually started at 1,100 +