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1293529 tn?1325184540

Do they usually do an ultrasound at first OB appt.?

Did all of your doctors do an ultrasound at your first OB appointment?  This is my first pregnancy and I am not sure what to expect.  My OB is making me wait until 8 weeks from last menstrual period so I am hoping they will do an u/s at that time.  My husband wants to go if they are doing an u/s but will have to take time off work to go, so don't want to waste his time if no u/s is done.
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202436 tn?1326474333
If you're cycles are irregular then most likely they would do one even if they don't normally.  My cycles are longer than average so I they usually do a first trimester scan on me to confirm dates.  My actual dates are always off from the "due date calculators" which are based on a typical 28 day cycle.
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1303813 tn?1303159362
GOOOOOOOOD LUCK!

When's your apt?

x
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1293529 tn?1325184540
Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your input.  Crazy how different all of your experiences have been though.  I agree with LosingMyMindInGA about the health care system but we won't get into that now.  

Anyways, I called and the lady on the phone went to ask a nurse and came back saying that the nurse said that yes, they usually will do an u/s at my first appointment.  I hope she is right because I go to a big medical group with lots of nurses and that one nurse could be wrong.  My husband is taking the day off to come anyways just in case.  I am going to ask for an u/s though even if they don't plan on giving me one becuase we are paying so freaking much for that insurance so they better give me one.  :)

I think they will want to do one to see how far along I really am anyways.  I have totally irregular periods so there is actually a 2 week discrepancy between when I think I got pregnant and what the date using my last menstrual is.  So, when I go in I could be 6 weeks 5 days or 8 weeks 5 days.....we will just have to see!
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1303813 tn?1303159362
The NHS here is pretty screwed too.. Might as well not have it.
my mum when she was pregnant only had a scan at 20 weeks and that was for everything where was no testing for DS or anything like that....

But if you ask they MIGHT do one??

x
Helpful - 0
1186413 tn?1326730549
It depends on your doctor but most only do one at 20 weeks unless there is a problem.  I worked at one doctors office where they only did one sonogram at 20 weeks and that is all.  Then the last doctors office I worked at they did one every trimester.  Where I go now I was told they only do one at 20 weeks but I had a few done early in my pregnancy due to spotting and an ovarian cyst.  The best way to know if just to call the office and ask them.  They won't mind.  Congratulations.
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202436 tn?1326474333
The U.S. is "transitioning" into what *I* personally refer to as a hostile takeover of the healthcare system. It's not going to be beneficial to anyone unless you are in perfect health and don't work.  But That's a whole different post. I won't hijack this one to go into it.  
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1303813 tn?1303159362
Ohhh.. I get it now. I thought they were kinda the same thing with different names! Sorry,
Makes sense now.
I also dont get the whole insurance thing either, Because basically I think like here it should be paid for!!!
Cause being pregnant, umenployed (Both pregnant and unemployed you need and Exemption card) under 16, or 16-18 and in full time education retired or disabled you get free perscriptions and dental stuff...
And doctors are paid by taxes I think.. the appointment is free (Well doctors) but perscriptions are to be paid for if you dont reach the requirements to get free ones.
Whereas if you Pregnant, Unemployed, Disabled,Under 16 or 16-18 and in full time education again is free for Dentists inclu appointments...


I know some work round here have 'health insurance' where eye car and perscriptions or if you children is an outpaitent you can claim the money and things back?? I duno so confusing
Its all so confusing, but aren't you going on some kind of 'NHS' thing??

x
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202436 tn?1326474333
Not sure about over there but here midwives and ob's are different.  Ob's are actual medical doctors...went through medical school the whole bit, they are surgeons, can perform surgery. Midwives are trained specifically to deal with pregnant women and natural labor.  In the U.S.  we have a choice of going with an ob or a midwife.  The only thing is some insurance companies won't cover a midwife.
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1303813 tn?1303159362
Are Midwives and OB's the same thing type thing :)

Cause here you get your pos result from HPT, make an apt with your GP and then the same day as that apt you make an Apt with a Midwife (The Booking in apt) with all the paper work, blood tests and things?
Is it the same thing?

x
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202436 tn?1326474333
Out of 8 pregnancies with numerous different doctors in different states, I have never had an ultrasound at my first ob appt.  They typically will schedule one at the first appt.  But all doctors are different.  In my experience the first appt involves a lot of paper work, getting your medical history etc, they draw blood to run several tests, you may have a pap smear, the doctor SHOULD give you a due date based on your LMP however they may change it once they do the ultrasound and get measurements.  At 8 weeks you won't see a whole lot anyway, just a little peanut and POSSIBLY a heartbeat.  If you wait another week or two you will be able to see so much more.  This time at 9 wks 5 days I was able to actually see arms and legs moving.

You are fortunate that you're doctor is seeing you at 8 wks, many doctors won't do the first ob appt until 10-12 weeks.
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1303813 tn?1303159362
Every doc is different. I know here in England you have to go to hospital for a scan. And they wont do it before they think you are 12 weeks! This is where you have your DS tests as well. I am unsure about anywhere else. Like I said, Every doctor is different, you can ring up and ask!

x
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1351369 tn?1294831629
my friend got one at her first appointment,the doc said it was because they really wanted to confirm the pregnancy as urine tests are unreliable.she was about 7wks.I expect i'll also get one t my 1st app.i haven't been to the doc yet.i'm 5 wks 2day.
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Avatar universal
The reason a doctor will wait to do a sonogram is because if you go too early and don't see a little baby waving at you it causes undue stress. Doctors typically only do them if there are complications or if they are unsure of your dates. Otherwise they won't do them because 1). it is a waste of money and 2). possibly stressful for the expectant parents if too early.

If you REALLY want one it is your money so just ask your doctor. Check with your insurance beforehand because they'll also be able to tell you how many ultrasounds they cover. For example my insurance only covers the mid-pregnancy sonogram and after that only emergent sonograms that are medically necessary.
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1374102 tn?1363009479
You will more than likely get one done. i have to wait until 8 weeks as well with my doctor she said because that's usually the best time to see something so early. so more than likely you will get one.
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1293887 tn?1332702847
Hi

I am 8 weeks pregnant and I saw my doctor when I was about 5 and a half weeks pregnant.  She made me go back for another visit 2 weeks later and I was booked in for a scan when I was 7 weeks 1 day.  When I went back for the results she gave me another scan to use when I am approx 12 weeks.  I miscarried at 14 weeks so that is why she just gave me a scan to use when I wanted to.  I didn't have to do bloods this pregnancy because I had my blood drawn earlier this year before I miscarried.  With my other pregnancies I always had a dating scan around 7 weeks and it was my choice as to whether I wanted to do the 12 week scan to detect abnormalities.  I chose not to do the 12 week scan with any of my pregnancies including this one and that is why sh gave me a scan for around 12 weeks to ease my mind.

Hope that helps.
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1365668 tn?1277946866
I've never ever heard of waiting until 20 weeks for an U/S, wow!  Most of my family and friends got a quick and easy U/S to check things out (ectopic, blighted O, to check age, etc) during their first appt. from 5 weeks to 12 weeks.

Definitely call and ask, that's really good advice!

CONGRATS!!  :)
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Avatar universal
No, they don't always do a sonogram. Most of them wait until about 20 weeks pregnant for a sonogram.
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Avatar universal
At my first appointment (i was only about 5wks) they only did paperwork and blood tests. Then the doc scheduled an appointment for two weeks later to do the u/s.
But I know that some will do one at the first appointment if you are further along.
So like they said, just call and ask first.

Congrats!
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1194973 tn?1385503904
My doctor didn't. I've heard other ladies say their's didn't as well. Usually they have to make an appointment for some time in the future, but it's hard to say. As nickie said, you can call and ask if they plan to do one so you do know.
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796506 tn?1370188305
It all depends on the doctors. You can always call the OB office and ask if they plan to do one =) Congrats on the pregnancy!
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