Ultrasound Accuracy???

[songbird516]

If the doctor said that the diagnosis even if it is accurate wouldn't affect delivery, I would maybe just have one more ultrasound to confirm and or check on the baby, otherwise not change anything.

I'm very sorry that you're having to worry about this! I hope the measurements are off!

[Belle.h]

I don't understand why you would not want to have the US's. It's non invasive, no harm done. True, it's not going to change the outcome, however it's best to prepare for whatever the outcome is. On the bright side, you can see your babe often .

[Ellasundies]

Just because an US is noninvasive does NOT mean that no harm is done.

I was already very paranoid when I was pregnant with #3 because #2 was a miscarriage followed by infertility. I had many US's that pregnancy because many things were 'going wrong' (that turned out to be just normal OB fear mongering). Every US that I had to go for was a nightmare. I spent weeks (sometimes months) worrying about the results before the US. That entire pregnancy was a nightmare. As a result of the fear that came before it and the fear that was generated during it due to all the testing. I never really connected to my baby girl during the pregnancy and I think it was a contributing factor in my inability to bond with her after she was born.

In all honesty I can't blame the OP for not wanting the continuous stream of US's. They won't be able to fix any problems and the only good it will do is to let them know what to expect when baby is born. And is that really necessary? Do you NEED to know what to expect when baby is born in this case, when it won't change how the baby needs to be delivered?

IMO if there is any chance in this baby 'healing' it's that Mom, Dad and everyone else around baby need to have a good outlook on things. They need to believe that their baby will grow out of this problem. The US will only prevent that mindset from happening.

GL Mama I'll keep you in my prayers.

[Pikemommy]

Originally Posted by Ellasundies Just because an US is noninvasive does NOT mean that no harm is done. I was already very paranoid when I was pregnant with #3 because #2 was a miscarriage followed by infertility. I had many US's that pregnancy because many things were 'going wrong' (that turned out to be just normal OB fear mongering). Every US that I had to go for was a nightmare. I spent weeks (sometimes months) worrying about the results before the US. That entire pregnancy was a nightmare. As a result of the fear that came before it and the fear that was generated during it due to all the testing. I never really connected to my baby girl during the pregnancy and I think it was a contributing factor in my inability to bond with her after she was born. In all honesty I can't blame the OP for not wanting the continuous stream of US's. They won't be able to fix any problems and the only good it will do is to let them know what to expect when baby is born. And is that really necessary? Do you NEED to know what to expect when baby is born in this case, when it won't change how the baby needs to be delivered? IMO if there is any chance in this baby 'healing' it's that Mom, Dad and everyone else around baby need to have a good outlook on things. They need to believe that their baby will grow out of this problem. The US will only prevent that mindset from happening. GL Mama I'll keep you in my prayers.

It may not change the way the baby needs to be delivered, but depending on how the baby continues to develop it may effect the type of care baby needs after delivery. Without further testing..... at least one more U/S before delivery it's impossible to answer that.
There is a mama on here who's son was diagnosed with a fatal form of dwarfism because of U/S..... it was because of U/S she knew how long she could carry the baby and still safely deliver vaginally. The U/S isn't scary.... it's the results that can be scary. Avoiding them doesn't make the situation go away, and for me not knowing what to expect can be just as scary.... I have a very vivid imagination and tend to think the worst. Being prepared and knowing what to expect after delivery would be very important to me, I wouldn't want to go in blinded by fear of the unknown. I can carry hope of a healthy baby and hope that the tests were all wrong with me and still be prepared for the worst.

[Ellasundies]

Originally Posted by Pikemommy It may not change the way the baby needs to be delivered, but depending on how the baby continues to develop it may effect the type of care baby needs after delivery. Without further testing..... at least one more U/S before delivery it's impossible to answer that. There is a mama on here who's son was diagnosed with a fatal form of dwarfism because of U/S..... it was because of U/S she knew how long she could carry the baby and still safely deliver vaginally. The U/S isn't scary.... it's the results that can be scary. Avoiding them doesn't make the situation go away, and for me not knowing what to expect can be just as scary.... I have a very vivid imagination and tend to think the worst. Being prepared and knowing what to expect after delivery would be very important to me, I wouldn't want to go in blinded by fear of the unknown. I can carry hope of a healthy baby and hope that the tests were all wrong with me and still be prepared for the worst.

If the baby is being delivered in a hospital they will be able to be prepared for the care the baby needs after delivery. If the hospital the OP planned on delivering at isn't prepared to take care of needy babies then they are already aware of the problem and her doc will suggest her to go to a hospital with a higher level NICU. That really already know all they need to know in order to be prepared.

I'm sure that if the OP was planning a homebirth questions about the care the baby receives after birth are already questions that she would have already asked the doc.

The U/S isn't scary.... it's the results that can be scary. Avoiding them doesn't make the situation go away, and for me not knowing what to expect can be just as scary....

But getting the U/S doesn't make the situation go away either. Really it comes down to personal preference. I'm a realist. I'm normally very much in favor of having as much information as possible. But in this situation I don't see how having the information would help anything. (although I personally may agree to ONE U/S closer to delivery for reasons that you have mentioned if I was planning a HB, if I was delivering in the hossy I wouldn't get more U/S's) So really it comes down to personal preference. Would you be more scared/anxious with the U/S or without? It really is a personal decision and I can't blame the OP for not wanting any more U/S's.

[AmandaR]

I'm sorry. I hope baby is okay.
My son had some concerning findings on his 20 weeks and we have opted to continue all the repeat ultrasounds. His issues have been improving and I find it very comforting (we did not do the amnio). Also, like PPs have said, I would want to know if my baby might need special care at delivery as it would change what hospital I delivered at (to prevent a transfer to a hospital I was not at) and if my husband was there (military, he's missing the birth).

[doodah]

This is a tough situation mama and I can see both sides of what to do. I personally would continue with checking on the baby. My thought is how would you feel if something were to be serious at birth and the doctors could have done something or even saved him if they had the right information to be prepared? Can you live with that risk? This isn't just about you and how you feel about it. It is also about being prepared, maybe overpreparing in effort to give this little guy the best chance possible. No doctors don't know everything and the medical community as a whole does not acknowledge a mother's intuition and feelings enough BUT if he is a little person or has other special health concerns (VERY common amongst dwarfism) then it is important to supply the doctor's with what they feel they need in order to best care for him.

[linzbear]

I don't know - I think I'd skip and trust that whatever happens will happen whether or not I get constant U/S, and get another one closer to delivery (not too close though, or they can start with the "low amniotic fluid" crap).

For this LO I'm not even getting anatomy at 20 weeks... going to get it done later so that if there are issues that are resolved, I wouldn't know they were issues to begin with.

[Mirasmom]

Originally Posted by ohiomama Thanks mommas!!! When we had the 2nd ultrasound, the one thing I asked the Doc different times was if this would effect my ability to have a natural vaginal delivery and he said NO! (not unless other things were detected too). So, I feel like we don't have to do all the test and US and stick to the basics. I just feel so strongly that this little baby is just perfect that way God made him and all the tests in the world will not change the fact that we will not know anything definate until we hold him in our arms. I am all for being prepared, but not at ANY cost! My stress and anxiety(and my whole families) over the "what if's" is also important to me! Thanks for all the personal stories..it is so reassuring to have a community of families!

The thing is, it's NOT about YOU. Having a vaginal birth is one thing, but not knowing what level of care your baby is going to need is dangerous. If you choose not to do the ultrasounds and the baby comes out and needs all sorts of care, you are risking your baby's outcome by not having the hands on deck that you might need. I know this is stressful, and hopefully your baby will be fine, but think beyond yourself right now. Take care of your baby.

One ultrasounds every 4 weeks is NOT that much. I guess you could ask if they could move it to every 6 weeks or so, but I feel like when you start ordering specialists around that know what they're doing, you're asking for trouble. Let the people who are trained to take care of you, take care of you.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by linzbear I don't know - I think I'd skip and trust that whatever happens will happen whether or not I get constant U/S, and get another one closer to delivery (not too close though, or they can start with the "low amniotic fluid" crap).

This is what I would do. But mama this is not about what I or any of us would do - if you don't want to do any more US then you should follow your gut. And goodness don't let people lay the guilt trip on you - it's not like you're denying your baby needed medical treatment or anything. You already know that the method of delivery does not need to change, and I've heard many, many stories of things that were diagnosed via ultrasound that turned out to be not true once the baby was born.

I don't think ultrasounds are harmless either. For one there are questions about the safety of them (physically), which is why many mamas are trying to minimize their use. And then there is the worry they bring, especially in this case. Will each ultrasound bring another wave of worry, causing mom to be stressed (not good for the baby) and get in the way of her bonding with her babe?