Why will they only give me 2 Ultrasounds?

Question

I had a Ultrasound when I was 16weeks and well you couldnt see much and when I was 20weeks I got one but the guy that does the Ultrasounds is a JERK to me and also he wouldnt really give me the Sex. I'm 29weeks now and I don't understand why I can't get a Ultrasound my last pregnancy I got like 6 done because I had PreClampsia and also the person that did the Ulrasound was really nice and well the guy got her Laid off. Oh and I dont want one done just to know the Sex I mean It'd be nice but I really want one to know how much he/she is growing and if everything looks ok. Does anyone know why they wont give me another? Or if anyone else has gone through this with there Doctor?

Oh also I havent even met my Doctor yet. I've seen a couple Doctors just not the one they signed me to. I go to the Health Clinic. Im supposed to meet her sometime in August. She is the one going to do my CSection. Should I ask her why I cant have another Ultrasound or would it just be pointless?

Answer 1

I've only had one ultrasound and it was at 18 weeks, and since the baby looked healthy they said I wouldn't get another one unless an emergency arises. I am kind of upset, I mean I see where you are coming from. I would love to just see my baby again, and make sure everything is going to well.

Answer 2

First off it can be harmful to the developing fetus. The more often, the more risk. Just because it's a common practice doesn't mean there aren't any risks. So they should only be given if a problem is suspected.

They are also expensive. When there are so many medical needs why should time, personnel & resources be spent on entertaining the mother to be. It doesn't help either of you if there's no medical need.

Telling you the sex isn't required and usually the dr. prefers he/she be the one to determine to tell you as some don't want to know.

Plus depending upon the position of the fetus it's not always a sure thing. I was told by the staff that due to the high heart rate (over 140) and the results from my ultra sound it was definitely a girl. I refused to buy anything girlish and it was a good thing because I just had a very large boy. He was so cramped in there they didn't get a good look. His heart was very healthy.

A friend of mine was told it was definitely a boy for the same 2 reasons. She ended up with a girl with a hole in her heart. The umbilical cord had pressed against her thigh making the thigh to appear to have a wee wee. What she later learned is the penis doesn't begin to show until around the 6th month.

Just be happy everything is going ok and get plenty of rest because before you know it you'll be going 24/7 taking care of one you would never dream of caring what sex they are then as long as they are healthy.

Answer 3

If there was anything wrong with the baby, he would have told you, so try not to worry. At 20 weeks you can't necessarily tell what the sex is, the baby is very small and you can't always see between the legs easily.

Your midwife can tell if the baby is growing well just by the size of your bump. At 20 weeks, the top of the bump should be at your belly button and then grow about a finger width for each week after that until about 36 weeks when the baby will usually start dropping into the pelvis. If the midwife is concerned, she will ask the Dr to book another scan.

They don't need an ultrasound to see if the baby and your pelvis are compatible sizes, because you are going to have an elective section.

If you get pre eclampsia again, they will scan you to see if it is affecting your baby's growth.

You could ask your doctor for another ultrasound, but unless the department isn't busy, I suspect that she will gently tell you that it isn't possible unless there is a medical reason. I'm sorry, I know you don't really want to hear that.


I know that it is lovely to see your baby on the screen and it help you to feel that you have a relationship before the baby is born, but the hospitals have to juggle the medical necessity of a scan with the numbers of people needing a scan and the facilities available. Look up private clinics on the Internet, it might be possible for you to book a private scan, but you would have to pay for it yourself.

Answer 4

Your question sort of scares me and gives me a lot of questions... I'll start at the bottom of your question and work up.

Yes. You should ask her why you can't have another ultrasound because that will tell you exactly why she doesn't want to give you one. Ultrasounds are completely unnecessary in the vast majority of pregnancies and you probably just got the ones that are standard for that practice. You may not qualify under your health insurance or Medicaid or whatever to get another ultrasound without medical reason or suspected problems. They usually just do ultrasounds if they suspect that something is wrong, so I would take their refusal as a wonderful reflection of the fact that you're doing great.

Next, why are you already planning a cesarean? You know that 2/3 of all cesareans in the U.S. are unnecessary? I don't know your full situation, but I highly recommend researching all of your possibilities before putting yourself and your baby under the knife for something that may be unnecessary and more dangerous than a vaginal birth or even a VBAC, if you had a cesarean before. There is a wonderful support network called ICAN-Online, and they have a Yahoo group that you could join to ask about cesarean-related issues, VBAC, reasons for cesarean, all your options, etc. I highly recommend it even if all you want to do it completely understand why you're being scheduled for a cesarean.

Next, I suggest switching practitioners if you're already past 20 weeks and haven't even met the doctor who will be attending you. That's not how a doctor who cares about you as a person will treat you. If you are on Medicaid or some other government funded health care, you still have options other than the health clinic in your area. I was on Medicaid and nobody told me what I could and couldn't do. Turns out that if you call around and ask who takes Medicaid, you'll find a lot of people who do but aren't listed in the resources.

If you really want lots of ultrasounds, which really aren't necessary, but if your insurance or you will pay for it, I don't see why you shouldn't, then you should probably just switch practitioners or TELL your doctor that you're getting another one and you want it done somewhere that has a different technician on duty. They are there to serve you. You're the one having the baby. Not them. YOU choose what you do during pregnancy, labor, birth, motherhood, your life. Not some doctor or technician. If you want an ultrasound, ask why they are resisting. If you can live with their reasons or you think they're bad reasons, tell them to call in an appointment for an ultrasound.

It's a great exercise is your rights as the Mama. It's your choice what happens to you. Make sure they know it.

Good luck!

Answer 5

an ultrasound is a medical procedure and it is only done if there is a reason to do it. If there is a reason to suspect that something might need intervention or to be found out or to check on, then an ultrasound is a great non-invasive first step. However, when there is no apparent reason to order one, doctors don't because insurance will not cover the cost. Ultrasounds are routinely done early in a pregnancy (in this country) to make sure everything is developing normally but, by a certain point there is no reason to continue with that sort of diagnostic intervention. According to the insurance companies, it is not cost effective under most circumstances.

Answer 6

Chances are, it will be pointless, but it never hurts to ask. In an uncomplicated pregnancy, at most, you usually get 2 ultrasound. I know many women who just get 1 ultrasound. Usually insurance will only pay for so many, unless deemed medically needed. The scan at 20 weeks covered all the medical issues, such as checking the baby's organs, bones, etc. As far as seeing other doctors, I find this is fairly common in alot of practices. You're assigned to a certian doctor, but usually you see different people. I didn't like that personally, so I called around until I found an office that would let me see my doctor each time.

Answer 7

Imagine it's because you are going through a health clinic. Even though they help alot with the cost of a private doctor I think that they are limited as to what they can do considering that they get funded government or state forget which one. When I was pregnant with my first I only had one sono. I am pregnant again but with a different dr. and I've had one each time I have gone which is about 5 times now and will get another one next week. I guess it depends where you go and what dr. you have.

Answer 8

Insurance. If you are willing to pay for it out of your own pocket, I'm sure they will do it.

There is a Pregnancy Support Service where I live, they will do them for free there, they also have classes that teach about diet, wellness and other stuff, maybe there is one in your area?

I looked at your 360 page, here is a place that may be able to help you get another one done.

http://www.pregnancyresourcesinc.com/

Answer 9

My best guess is that your medical benefits only allow 2 ultrasounds, unless there is a clear medical need. This is common. You can confirm this with the Patient Assistance office. Good luck with your new baby.

Answer 10

Unfortunately it will probably be pointless. Most doctors will only do 2 now unless there is some reason to do another one. Most insurance companies will only pay for 2 as well.