When did you get your first ultrasound?

Question

I am uninsured and don't know when to go to get one. I'm four weeks. How much did it cost? Do you know any places (preferably chicago-based) that will do them for either free or low cost? And when did you get your first?

Answer 1

Megan,

congrats on your new pregnancy!
All 50 states in the United States offer free or very low cost state medicaid to help supplement paying your medical bills depending on your income.

Do you have an OBGYN yet? That is where you want to start. Call around and find an OBGYN that accepts state medicaid. Next, get on the horn with your combined health district. They will direct your call to the appropriate county medicaid case worker.

If you are low income, you will be accepted. I used to be a social worker a few years ago and dealt with this kind of thing all the time.

As for your u/s question- your OB will likely give you one between 10-12 weeks (known as a dating ultrasound) and another full anatomy scan at 20 weeks. (longer, and reveals the sex)

Should anything else arise, you may be given more ultrasounds whenever your doctor feels it's needed.

Congrats on your new little one! If you have any questions, email me and I will help you out. Proper prenatal care is the number one thing you can do to have a healthy baby.


EDIT: I just looked it up for you- start here. http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/
If you need any help, please ask me!

Answer 2

You should try and apply for Medicaid in your state. I don't know how much ultrasounds cost but when I was pregnant with my son I had my first ultrasound at 6 weeks and with this pregnancy I have an ultrasound scheduled for the week I turn 6 weeks pregnant.

Answer 3

I got my first ultrasound at 4 weeks but i was having a threatened miscarriage. there are planned parenthood's located around the US, just look them up on the web or in the phone book for the address and phone number. also they will give you information and the address to the welfare office where you can sign up for medical that pays for everything until your child is 18 also you will be insured as well. you can also sign up for food stamps and cash assistance. there this place called WIC and they will give you vouchers for formula until age 1 then supply you with juice, cereal, whole milk etc until the child is 5. all of these places are located in the phone book. look under the pregnancy section in the yellow pages. they are all free of charge.

Answer 4

Your city or county health department should be able to help you with free or reduced cost services, including ultrasound. I've had four children and I got ultrasounds on average about the 8-12 week range. With my third child, I had three: one at 12 weeks, 20 weeks, and 26 weeks, because my doctor suspected I had gestational diabetes (I didn't, my son was just a big baby weighing in at nearly 10 lbs!). Hope this helps you, and good luck on your pregnancy!

Answer 5

Typically your OB/GYN will do one for you around the 3rd or 4th month. They are VERY expensive....so I would put it off as long as you can so that you can have a good chance at finding out the sex (if you want to). This early in the game you don't need one. If you have a high risk pregnancy you will get them throughout the pregnancy....but, otherwise, it is usually just the one at the beginning of the 2nd trimester!

I, personally, do not know who would do these for free or low-cost....the equipment is expensive and the operators make a great wage.

Hope this helped, though!!

Answer 6

My insurance only covers one, unless the pregnancy is high-risk. They did it at 20 weeks. Many people get more than that, but it's really not necessary. If you are having to pay for it out of pocket, I wouldn't get more than one unless the doctor thinks there may be something wrong.

Try your local health department. I've known people who got their prenatal care there because they were uninsured.

Answer 7

I got my first one at 19 weeks.

Im in canada so i can't really help you out with finding a place near chicago that does it for free/low cost. Health care is free here in canada.

Answer 8

Go to your social services office, apply for medicaid, and get your butt to the doctor!!!!! They WILL cover ultrasounds that need to be done. Oh, and I got my first at 3 months....when I found out I was pregnant.

Answer 9

i got my first at 9 weeks it didnt cost me anything (i live in Australia), my second one was done at 11 weeks and my next will be inbetween 18 - 20 weeks.

Answer 10

I am twelve weeks. I had one my first OB appointment because I am high risk (Type 1 Diabetic). I am not sure when "normal" pregnant women get one, but I know that you usually don't get one this early unless they are unsure of your due date or you are high risk.