Why do so many drs do early us?

[abhernandez]

Originally Posted by Mirasmom Only that it seems so many times they cause unneeded anxiety. And all the comments about how they r fun, they make u feel good, etc etc, well there isn't any doubt about that, but really......that's only one of the reasons our insurance is expensive, right? Bc they r paying for things we don't really need done.

I think there are a lot of reasons insurance is expensive but I don't think ultrasounds are really one of them. I live in a different country, have a much higher level of coverage than in the US (I'm originally from the US), and I pay significantly less. I don't pay anything out of pocket during the pregnancy (including u/s, birth and for a much longer hospital stay, and the services of a midwife, such as lactation consults), then nothing for the baby during their first year of life. Including prescriptions. I don't know what is wrong with the medical system in the US honestly. But I don't think it has much to do with mamas getting first tri ultrasounds. My insurance is a private company and I promise they aren't just good Samaritans. They're in it for the money, like all private companies, and they seem to be making plenty of it despite their lower rates and paying for lots of u/s (I've had 3 in the first tri alone).

That being said, ultrasounds aren't necessary. But sometimes peace of mind alone makes it worth it. And I agree.... I've seen a lot of posts lately about no hb on early u/s. And it seems like while previously 8 weeks was the earliest... now we are seeing a lot of 6 week ish u/s. It seems to cause a lot of unneeded worry.

[Holly dolly]

My cycles are all over the place. For no reason. I tried charting, I tried CM observation, I tried just being in tune with my body...and nothing worked.

With my first ds we had been trying (without medical intervention) for 4 years. When I finally got a positive test I had no idea how far along I was. It had been 95 days since my LMP. I took the test only so I could start progesterone to start my cycle. I was only 5w4d and could see nothing but the sac. I had to go in 2 weeks later for a confirmation u/s.

With my second we had been trying 18 mos. I had taken clomid but didn't ovulate on their timeline. After figuring my date of conception I figured I ovulated around cd30...and got a positive test on cd50. Had I not had that early ultrasound I once again would have had no idea how far along I was.

Plus both my boys were 2 weeks early (natural labor)...so being off a week or so could mean a 36 wk baby vs a 38 wk natural labor.

[lilbitcrunchy]

Originally Posted by crunchymom2b I'm so sorry about your babies mama Unfortunately you can't have good without bad and early ultrasounds are one of those situations. There are both great reasons to have them, and plenty of reasons to avoid them. Thankfully we live in a place where women have the choice, though I do wish more women were much more informed about these choices and the pros/cons of each.

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[Sarahknavy]

I dont know but I am glad we did a dating U/S. I KNOW when I conceived but the baby measured a week small, and I am excited because then I get an extra week of gestating before the Drs want to force a VBAC on me.

[luvthefluff]

Some women dont see the need for us's but if you ask me i think they are perfectly ok. Some women dont know when their periods were and even worse some get a full cycle while pregnant and are a month further along than they think. i would hate to find out i was having a baby a month earlier than expected at 20 weeks. personally i would like to know that in the beginning. therefore i completely agree with the 12 week scan. the 20 weeker is a given..especially for those who would like to know the gender. plus its very reasurring seeing your LO move on screen and get its organs checked and sized. My doctor usually skips the 36 week US but I had one to see if my anterior placenta had moved out of the way for the csection. they would like to know if they will be dealing with a placenta or baby first. With that being said i am one in favor for US's because not only are they reassuring but i kinda like getting peeks at the lil bugga

[psylion]

I have had more ultrasounds than I can count with this pregnancy. First to confirm a hb and then checking upon the wins since doppler isn't accurate with more than 1. I'm thankful for every one of these ultrasounds since one of my sons passed between 18-20 weeks. I'm happy to have pictures of him and to have a decent idea of when he died.

[jj7202]

Originally Posted by psylion I have had more ultrasounds than I can count with this pregnancy. First to confirm a hb and then checking upon the wins since doppler isn't accurate with more than 1. I'm thankful for every one of these ultrasounds since one of my sons passed between 18-20 weeks. I'm happy to have pictures of him and to have a decent idea of when he died.

I'm sorry for your loss mama!

Originally Posted by Mirasmom Now granted I don't have complications and I know that situation is different, but I feel like nearly every dr now does at least 3 or 4 ultrasounds throughout. Why! They r so unnecessary! Even for dating. Really it's unnecessary. Edd is ESTIMATED. There a VERY few people that can't estimate when they ovulated with At least a week or two give or take. And really that's accurate enough bc u will be measuring and getting your 20 week scan for anatomy and also if you are going to truly let the baby come when It comes. I guess I just don't get it. Not only why do drs do them, but I can't believe insurance PAYS for them.

To the OP...

~ Please don't assume because they are unnecessary for YOU that they are unnecessary for everyone else. ~


Talk to me after your third missed miscarriage... then let me know what your feelings are on 1st trimester u/s.

Your original post may not have been "intended" for those of us who have had complications but your post was very generalized.

And no, not everyone can identify when they ovulated (my cycles are so irregular I have been known to have 5 or less in a year with half of those being anovulatory)

With the way inductions are pressured on women these days I would certainly rather know with some degree of certainly that I was carrying full term as opposed to a week or two off.

I am thankful that my insurance covers my early ultrasounds. I would be a nervous wreck the whole 20 weeks... Stress is not good for pregnancy.

My body retains pregnancies that are non viable. I would rather know early on and manage it, than be oblivious until I become septic.

[an_aurora]

Originally Posted by jj7202 I'm sorry for your loss mama! To the OP... ~ Please don't assume because they are unnecessary for YOU that they are unnecessary for everyone else. ~ Talk to me after your third missed miscarriage... then let me know what your feelings are on 1st trimester u/s. Your original post may not have been "intended" for those of us who have had complications but your post was very generalized. And no, not everyone can identify when they ovulated (my cycles are so irregular I have been known to have 5 or less in a year with half of those being anovulatory) With the way inductions are pressured on women these days I would certainly rather know with some degree of certainly that I was carrying full term as opposed to a week or two off. I am thankful that my insurance covers my early ultrasounds. I would be a nervous wreck the whole 20 weeks... Stress is not good for pregnancy. My body retains pregnancies that are non viable. I would rather know early on and manage it, than be oblivious until I become septic.

and I'm sorry for your losses

To the OP, why does it matter to you what other people do? They aren't hurting anybody.

My SIL and BIL got an ultrasound with each and every OB appointment her whole pregnancy. I was a little because I've only used MWs and that's so not MY normal, but they had tried for this baby for years and were so excited to be pregnant and it was so awesome to see their little guy on the screen and know he's ok. They are also big worriers so it was a reassurance for them. It's not for me; I'm fine with an early u/s at 4-6 weeks to rule out ectopic and the anatomy scan at 20 weeks, and maybe a BPP if necessary after my due date, but I'm not going to judge them for doing it differently.

[TwinKristi]

So your main concern is insurance premiums? How about diabetes, obesity, lung cancer from smoking... why don't you focus your energy on preventable and manageable illness than pregnant mothers and unborn babies. I have been monitored during my pregnancy and had several u/s from 6wks to 40wks! Part of the reason they do the dating u/s is to prevent induction before 39wks. Being born after 39wks saves babies in precious NICU time which is far more expensive per day than a single u/s. Do you really think these ideas have never been discussed, worried about, etc? This is not a new topic. Some women and babies DIE w/out an u/s.

[my2sweets]

For my 2nd visit the nurse told me to wait while she set up the us. I was confused b/c they did the dating us just 4wks prior. When the doc came in she said since she had the machine and it was just as easy to use it as a dobbler it was her prefered instrument. I LOVE seeing lilman every month and it has really eased my mind knowing that it wont be a problem to check his size towards the end(dd2 was 10 lb6oz and there were complications). Btw she does not charge me nor my insurance for the us.