Why do some women get ultrasounds early and my OB/GYN won't even see me till I am 12 weeks?

Question

I am 5 weeks pregnant.

I scheduled an appointment with a OB/GYN and he won't even see me till I am 12 weeks.

Is it because I know exactly how far along I am or that is it because I am not having any trouble?

I know some OB/GYNs usually wait until 12 weeks because you are more "safe" then, but why do some women have ultrasounds at 5 or 6 weeks? Are they "high risk"?

Answer 1

Dr's dont normally see a pregnant woman until they have missed at least 2 periods (even after doing a blood test even)....which puts you going in for your first visit between 8-12 weeks.
Some women get seen sooner (and even get ultrasounds) because of the following reasons 1) they are high risk due to advanced age, health issues, etc.. 2) they've had prior or reoccuring miscarriages
I was seen at 5weeks with my daughter and given an ultrasound every week until I reached 10 weeks because I was high risk for miscarriage due to having 4 prior.

Answer 2

They might not necessarily be "high risk", but they insist on having an ultrasound.

I know I do. Since I've miscarried once before, I want to know early on what I'm dealing with. If it's not viable I'd want to have a D&C right away ... not go through all the horrors I did before, not knowing.

My OB normally doesn't see anyone til 12 weeks, either. You can go in and get a blood test, if it's positive, he tells you to get prenatal vitamins. That's it. But if someone's insisting on an early ultrasound (like I would) he'll do it.

If you're really worried, call back and ask to be seen just to calm you down. Or, go to a women's clinic or something and have one done.

Oh, and it's not because he's overbooked. This is a TINY town. He normally has only 6 or so patients at a time. That's just how he does it. If a woman ASKS for an early appointment, he gives it. If not, he prefers to wait.

Answer 3

During a normal pregnancy three ultrasounds are given. The first around 8-9 weeks to confirm pregnancy and to see the baby's heart beat, one around 12 weeks to check for down syndrome and other things and the last at 20 weeks to check for down syndrome, sex of the baby and other Development stuff. If I were you I'd ask the OB about the 12 week ultrasound, because that can check for some abnormalities. I'M NOT SAYING THERE ARE, but personally I'd rather get checked to know.

Answer 4

Well a scan can only be picked up after 6 weeks so a 5 week scan is questionable. Women who see there OBGYN before 12 weeks usually have medical reasons to do so. Problems in previous pregnancy etc. And because the risk of miscarriage is high up till 12 weeks they feel if you are still pregnant at this time when with the risks being smaller its best for everyone all round. In my last pregnancy i had 12 scans due to a condition and medical reasons most women only get 2.

Answer 5

My ob is doing the same with me. It just depends on the ob. I wish I could get an earlier appointment but I live in a small town with only 2 ob's and the other ob doesnt except my insurance. Im not concerned though.. that means my first appoinment we'll hear the heartbeat and the first ultrasound the baby will actually look like a baby and depending on how soon he wants an ultrasound.. I may be able to find out the sex. Dont stress about it and enjoy the nest couple of weeks.

Answer 6

You know this ticks me off.
My friend didn't get her first u/s till 20 weeks, i was horrified, yet my OB starts giving mine at 6 weeks, i'm now 14 weeks and have had 3. BUT, i also think it's to do with $$$. See, my friend and a few other's i've known haven't either had good insurance or they pay minimal amounts...with us, and i'm not boasting becaue we aren't well off, not even close, but our ins. co. pays 100% and i know my OB isn't cheap, my first child cost us $5000. But i might be wrong, it's just from a pattern i've been seeing. This is our 3rd baby which is why it's covered 100% by our ins. co. i don't know why they do that now after having to pay one full baby, one half and then nothing, but i think it also depends on who you go too. I could go to someone in this town but like you i wouldn't be seen until 12 weeks, and since i am considered high risk i'm sticking with the doctor i've been seeing for 3 years and who delivered my other two. I think it is absaloutly insane that most doctors don't do u/s till 12 weeks, absaloutly crazy, the first 12 weeks are the most cruicial, if hey can detect soemthing between 4 and 12 weeks would be the right time to notice.....one thing i heard in the news a while back was a doctor wouldn't see his patients till 14 weeks because at that time, no one could request an abortion which he is highly against - so, there could many reasons why doctors do this, but i think it's obserd.

Answer 7

That is a good question, I wonder that myself. I am 27 weeks now and I didn't have my first doctors appointment until I was 10 weeks. I only get 1 ultrasound that is covered by insurance so I had it at 20 weeks, I don't know why women have ultrasounds so early when there isn't much to see unless there is a problem.

Answer 8

Ive never had a doctor wait until I was that far along.. I usually got in right away. With this 4th pregnancy I was seen at 7 weeks. That is when I chose to go. I have never gotten an utrasound early though either. I guess just all doctors are different. I dont know what makes them give ultrasounds so early, unless they have had numerous miscarriages, etc..High risk like you said.

Answer 9

I can explain why mine did. I was on birth control and got pregnant. The hormones in the birth control still caused me to bleed during when i should have had a period. Obviously since I couldn't tell him when my last period was, he had to determine how far along I was by an ultrasound. With my first child, I was 3 months. With my second, I was 2 months. OB/gyns can tell by ultrasound how far along you are if you don't know when you concieved. At least this is what I have always been told.

Answer 10

Your doctor is supposed to see you when you find out you're pregnant so they can start monitoring your BP, you urine, your weight, and the developemtn of the pregnancy.

They dont see you until later because theyre over booked and cant keep up with their clients. Its generally a sign that you will not recieve proper medical care, during pregnancy, during delivery, and after.

Women have early ultrasounds to date pregnancies. I had one done at 8 weeks because I didnt know exactly when my last period was. Alot of doctors just do them because its the easiest way to make sure its not a tubal pregnancy, to check on why hormone levels are low or high, and to properly date the fetus so they know when best to expect the baby.

not getting an ultrasound is common, not everyone has one early on.

BUt it is a cause for concern that your doctor will not see you for another two months. That is not acceptable practice, and its far too common place.