one ultrasound only???

Question

My medical insurance only pays for one ultrasound during pregnancy.. Is this normal? I`ve seen people get them all the time.. I get excited about ultrasounds because I get to see how much my baby is growing... now im dissappointed... can i just pay for a few myself?..... or do they do this for a reason???

Thanks everyone.... even though i`d love to see my baby every time I go on it`s reassuring to know that you all went through the same thing I am going through... I guess one is good enough... I`m 9 weeks and now my baby is supposed to have legs and arms and a little body and i would love to see it for myself....but your all right a 4 month u/s to find out my childs sex is more important... Thanks alot!

Answer 1

This is the norm unless there is a problem. When we got extra, we had to pay out of pocket.

Answer 2

For the non-complicated pregnancy, I think one is the norm. It's usually done around 20 weeks to check how the baby is growing and this is usually when parents find out the gender (if they want to). Unless another u/s is medically necessary, one is enough. Now there are OBs that do u/s at every visit, but I think that's more for the parents as I don't think there is a reason that you *have* to see the baby at every visit. I've heard that there is some research being done that says maybe the things the baby is exposed to during the u/s aren't good for it and some drs don't recommend more than one. There are places you can pay to get 3- and 4-D peeks at your baby if that one u/s just isn't enough.

Answer 3

I'm on Blue Cross Blue Shield and I only got one ultrasound, done at 19 weeks exactly. My doctor told me that was all my insurance covered and that he wouldn't normally do more than one unless there was a high risk pregnancy. My pregnancy has been fine and since my clinic only offers the 3D ultrasounds, I'm glad that I didn't get another. I want my baby's appearance to be a complete surprise to me. It's so much fun to wonder whether he has mommy or daddy's nose. You can always pay for an ultrasound yourself, but it is expensive if done at the clinic. Other places you can find online (usually they offer the 3D ones) and are for keepsake purposes really. Your doctor will have to approve of it before you get it done somewhere else, and make sure it's done by a properly trained person. Prices are usually above $200 for these places. Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

Health insurance will only pay for procedures that are medically necessary. There is no medical need, if you are having a normal pregnancy, for more than one ultrasound.

Plus, I've heard from a variety of souces the multiple ultrasounds are not healthy for a fetus.

You can certainly pay for more to be done, but they're expensive! I'm going to pay for the 4D (or is it 3D?) ultrasound. That is gonna cost about $200.

Answer 5

Yes, most insurances only cover one ultrasound- unless there is a medical problem. I am going to a doctor that does a complimentary (on her office's account) ultrasound at EVERY visit and that is very abnormal. You could pay for some yourself (unless you are on your state's medicaid or have financial assisstance through them- it may be seen asa violation of contract), it's not for any reason really- they are safe, just that ultrasounds are really expensive. Here in Florida we have a company thatspecializes in Maternity pampering: http://www.lookwhoskickin.com/ And you can buy a video of your 3D or 4D ultrasound for a pretty penny (prices range from 100-500 dollars). If you search in your area or ask your doctor you may be able to find one of these companies. Good luck :)

Answer 6

Completely normal!
With my first daughter I had one ultrasound at 22 weeks, with my second i had a vaginal ultrasound at 8 weeks and then a regular ultrasound at 18 weeks, with my twins i had to get them every three weeks.
If there is no medical need they only need to do the one ultrasound.
And contrary to popular belief the ultrasound is not to determine the gender, although at times they can see this in an ultrasound, but it is just an extra!
Yes you can go pay for them yourself, but this can be spendy and there may be risks.

Answer 7

i heard getting ultrasound all the time is not good for the baby. One or two u/s is good enough, as long as you can hear the baby's heartbeat and know your baby is ok. When you're 6 months, if you want...there's places that does 3d-4d u/s to check out your baby's spines.bones/fingers and everything really clear. Those you usually have to pay out of the pocket. Try that!

Answer 8

ultrasounds aren't really "necessary" unless you're high risk. SOmeone told me that around 30 weeks (when your appointment comes around that time) tell your OB that the baby hasn't moved around as much as it had been... they usually want to check things out - so you'll get another peek! Otherwise, you can go to a 3-D ultrasound place as an "entertainment" ultrasound. My husband and I did that - it was totally cool! worth the $200 charge!

Answer 9

I would do your own research and definitely ask your doctor (I think you need a release anyway), but if you want to "see" your baby, there is a private company that will actually bring you in for an u/s and they videotape it for you so you can show friends and family -

I never did this, but thought it was a nice idea - I DON'T, HOWEVER, KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THE RISKS OF U/S, SO DEFINITELY ASK YOUR DOC ABOUT THAT END OF IT.

I believe the company is Precious Baby Imaging ...

Answer 10

same here. i am 31 weeks pregnant and only had one ultrasound which was when i was 19 weeks pregnant. they will do an ultrasound if they think something is wrong with the baby.

Answer 11

One ultrasound is normal in a normal pregnancy. Ultrasounds carry their own sets of risks.