I don't understand why they do ultrasounds before 8 weeks. I am not sure if anyone else has noticed but there are a lot of questions concerning heart beats and yolk sacs and whether there is a baby or not. I can see if there was a threatened miscarriage, but other than that, why? For instance, my soon to be sister in law is in her 8th week and has had 2 ultrasounds already with no previous miscarriages and no bleeding. I am currently 36 weeks and 5 days and if I ever get pregnant again, they will not do an ultrasound on me until I am at least 8 weeks along, my goodness!
2007-10-09 15:05:26 · 14 answers · asked by Brooke S 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
O.k. I understand that they want to get an accurate due date, want to find out if there are any problems, but if they can't hear the heartbeat and they can't see the baby, what is the point?
2007-10-09 15:11:51 · update #1
O.k. smiliey...calm down, my thought is if there are NO PROBLEMS. You obviously have had a few, and if I were in your position, yes, I would have an early ultrasound. I am just saying, there are so many girls that are worried to pieces over not being able to see anything that it scares them. I have had a previous miscarriage so I understand problems. Please do not take this as a bashing, it is just opinion and seems ridiculous to me (considering NO PROBLEMS, that is).
2007-10-09 15:29:03 · update #2
I am going to be totally honest here! Two reasons.
1. Money for the OB/GYN practice. They use the "confirm viability" diagnosis to get this paid for by insurance companies-and pay they do!
2. It makes the parents feel better. You can see a fetal heart rate at 6wks. Before then you will see the yolk sac and MAY see a fetal pole.
The above 2 reasons are if you are NOT having problems. Even if you are having problems, you can't see anything anyway. A QBHCG and Progesterone level drawn and then the QBHCG being repeated in 2 days will tell you more than an ultrasound prior to 6 weeks. There are actually studies out that show all of these ultrasounds (sonographic waves) can actually cause harm to the developing fetus!
Stick to your guns girl, they can't hold you done and make you have one. If you are seeing a DR that is pushing this, you may need to find another one. The prospect of the $ causes a lot of test and ultrasounds to be done that really aren't necessary.
Sad but true! I see it EVERYDAY!
2007-10-09 15:18:18 · answer #1 · answered by lovethe48 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Early ultrasounds are actually more accurate at dating a pregnancy than later ones-later in pregnancy, the growth rate is less consistent from baby to baby. If there's a question about the date of the last menstrual period or ovulation or conception, early ultrasound can be useful.
It can be used in conjunction with beta hCG measurement to detect viability. It can be used to determine some of the causes of bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy. It's often used when someone has been involved with fertility treatments which can increase the chance of multiples. If the mother has health conditions that cause her to be high risk, it can be useful to detect concerns.
It has uses, but isn't necessarily useful as a standard procedure for all pregnant women.
2007-10-09 16:11:21 · answer #2 · answered by Erika G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, What I don't understand is why you are so concerned! I am 15 weeks pregnant. I have had 4 ultrasounds due to bleeding, cramping and a subchronic bleed around the gestational sac. Yes there are many good reasons to have early ultrasounds. My case is a VERY good reason. There are many times, especially at my doctor, that your first appt is ALWAYS accompanied by an ultrasound. Whether there is a reason or not, many women are naturally curious as to what is going on inside their body. And, who is to tell them that have an early ultrasound is wrong?
2007-10-09 15:20:19 · answer #3 · answered by Mommy~of~2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think most ultrasounds are done routinely by many doctors, even when they aren't necessary. They cost a lot and you can't ignore the money factor.
The only good reasons to have one so early would be in case of a suspected problem, or if the mother has NO idea when she conceived.
Most expectant mothers don't fall under either those categories so most are paying (or their insurance is paying) for an expensive but unnecessary procedure.
2007-10-09 15:09:56 · answer #4 · answered by Veritas 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
personally i was always jealous of these people, being in the military you only get one ultrasound, at 20-22 weeks... i never got an early u/s to date the pregnancy or anything like that. since then I have to have 2 more, but only because they thought I had a short cervix length and because the baby was measuring almost 4 cm small..
2007-10-09 16:19:53 · answer #5 · answered by Sharpie211 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to get a more accurate due date and to see exactly how far the baby is along and to make sure you are not pregnant in your tubes. if there was something wrong with having ultrasounds that early they would stop it. i dont see what the problem is?? if anything its helping not hurting??
2007-10-09 15:19:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only other reason I can think of is if they are very unsure of a due date because the mommy to be had very irregular periods. Some docs do it just because the mommys like it and its one more thing to bill out and make money on, but unless there is a real reason (unsure date or threatened miscarriage) I agree that its best to wait.
2007-10-09 15:13:27 · answer #7 · answered by Diana 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To check all the growth cause if anything is wrong you would want to know early so it can be taking care of before you get to far along
2007-10-09 15:11:49 · answer #8 · answered by Misti 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To check for ectopic pregnancy...also to get a more accurate due date
2007-10-09 15:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To see how many weeks you are, see if there is more than one baby, make sure there is no problems.
2007-10-09 15:10:32 · answer #10 · answered by jakesbell87 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋