20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

My doc did a doppler today to hear the heartbeat, and said that my first u/s would be at week 20. Does that seem a bit too long to you? I know so many people who are getting it before then. I'm considering doing the nuchal testing JUST SO i can have an u/s earlier.

Should I get another doc, or are/have some of you had late first u/s's? This just seems a bit strange to me.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I dont know whats "normal", but my doctor did the transvaginal ultrasound at my first visit when I was only 4.5 weeks.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

Well I guess every doctor is different but I had one at 7 weeks, then the ultrascreen at 13 weeks and then the Level II at 20 weeks.

Message edited 5/9/2007 5:21:12 PM.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I am not one to say whats normal or not for doctors but from my experience he's in the minority by waiting this long.
If you have concerns I say ask him why?

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I had my first ultrasound at 7weeks (which was transvaginal) then the second one was at 12 weeks and the third one was at 20 weeks. I most likely will not have anymore unless they think the baby is very small or very big

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I asked the nurse and she said as long as everything seems ok and I'm not in the high risk age bracket then they don't do the u/s earlier.
I'm just a worry wart, and I would like to check if there are twins in there since I took Clomid.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I believe that medically, hearing the heartbeat might be sufficient. However, I am not a doctor. I have not heard of anyone having to wait until 20 weeks for a ultrasound. There are standards set by the ACOG as to when doctors do certain things. You may be able to look that up online. I think that wanting another ultrasound is a good enough reason for many people to have the NT test and many peopel do it just for that reason.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I had on at 6.5 weeks and 10.5 weeks. I wouldn't have had the 10.5 weeks, but she couldn't hear the heart beat with that little thing they use. It was still too small. But we heard it loud and clear on the sono.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I had one at 6 weeks, and I'll have another at 11 (ultrascreen). I'm not sure if the latter is given to everyone though.

If you really would like one, I would ask for it.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

I'm surprised they don't even discuss/offer the ultrascreen/nuchal at around 12 weeks. I thought it was kind of standard practice for them to give you the option...

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

Every dr. is different. with my first child, I didn't have a single ultrasound and actually was less "concerned" about the baby for it. This time I've had 3 and been a nervous wreck in the days leading up to them all (and all for nothing!).

My first ultrasound was supposedly to be sure I wasn't ectopic . I changed drs. and when i told my new dr. this, she said it wasn't necessary and agreed the dr. likely just wantedd to charge for it (at the beginning of my PG i was ina 3 month wait for insurance coverage to begin...so the dr. was getting FULL payment for that ultrasound, not thhe discounted insurance amt.).

My 2nd was at 20 weeks, the "level II." My 3rd was last week at 35 to do a growth check b/c I appear so small.

Re: 20 weeks too long for 1st ultrasound??

Hmmmm...I personally would like an ultrasound prior to the Level II...

When I was pregnant with my 1st they didnt do early sonograms...I didnt find out I was having twins until 20 weeks!!!! This was 15 years ago!!!! So much has changed since then...This way of thinking is old school to me.