uk mums not enough ultrasounds

[xcitednscaredmama]

I can't get my head around the fact that we don't get another ultrasound after week 20. I'm 31 weeks now and constantly worried that something might be wrong with baby and they won't realise. Like for example I've just watched the 31 week video on this app and it says that the doctor will measure the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby and if it's too much or too little it might indicate that something is wrong with baby. How will they know without another ultrasound? Also, I have the worst midwife who is not even measuring baby's heartbeat. If anything is wrong, I doubt I will find out until it's too late. Nothing left to do but hope for the best, I feel so lost and helpless. Anyone else feel the same about the system here in England?

[cef1990]

If something is wrong with as far gone as you are your baby will let you know with lack of movements so it's not something that you will miss. Try not to worry yourself, follow count the kicks on Facebook or look up their charity website they have really good info on how to count kicks and monitor your baby's movements, may help to put your mind at ease, and just remember that if ever in doubt phone your midwife or your l&d.

[xcitednscaredmama]

Thank you for your comments everyone. I guess you're right, I just need to believe everything's fine as long as she's happily kicking away in there. I just find it hard to trust the midwives who have messed up all the basics so far like measuring heartbeat and they forgot to do the diabetes test which I found out everyone gets at 25 weeks here in the UK? I just feel left alone and keep asking myself what if something is wrong and I don't realise...

[10Angels]

Im in N.Z we are high risk and currently 24 weeks along, so far we have had 6 scans and were told at midwife appointment yesterday that they will be scanning us every 4 weeks from now till the end so we have another at 28, 32, 36 and 40 if baby hasnt come by then.  We are under high risk pregnancy though due to 10 miscarriages previously and this is our 4th baby to get this far....3 daughters and first son....yay!!

[MariaBeth]

One of the ways they can tell the level of amniotic fluid is by the measurement they take at each of your visits. If they feel like you are "size less than date" due to low amniotic fluid, you will be checked via ultrasound at they rest of your visits to check on baby and will most likely need to deliver a few weeks ahead of schedule (which is what happened with my first pregnancy). I totally get it being frustrating not seeing your baby more often, we all want to know its going like it should in there. But thr docs know what they are doing. Hang in there.

[cef1990]

I'm from the UK and will have had 7 ultrasounds by my due date but that's only because I'm high risk. With my other 2 I didn't have any scans past 2 weeks. If you do ever feel something is wrong or baby hasn't moved as much go and get checked out. They don't mind checking for your piece of mind but it's not scheduled unless there are problems.

[sky1989]

I'm in the US and I had an ultrasound at 6 weeks and another at 20 weeks. My doctor told me as long as everything continues to go smooth I will not need another ultrasound. He does measure and listen to the heartbeat every visit. I trust my doctor 100% and don't think I'm going to need another one this pregnancy.

[maw4389]

I'm in Canada and I get three. One in each trimester. That's just the norm at my doctor's office.

[vic2015]

U cant see what baby looks like on the normal scans have a 4D scan they are amazing i had 1 and u can really see babys features :) i only paid £80 defo worth it

[UniquelyMoi247]

I agree, it's pretty rubbish only having two routine scans in the whole nine months. Fundal height measurements, although not an exact science, can help identify too little/too much amniotic fluid which should be done at every midwife appointment from about 25wks. The midwife will then send you for a growth scan if the measurements aren't where they should be. I've had three extra scans in my second pregnancy (28. 32, 36wks) as my first was born at 35wks. I loved them, it was amazing to see my baby so big, I wish everyone got to experience atleast one late-pregnancy scan. My midwife also didn't check heartbeat until 28wks but did check it at every appointment thereafter.

I feel we are just left to get on with it, particularly first time mums or ladies who have had no complications in a previous pregnancy. With my second I got much better care and support, I was seen every two weeks alternated by my midwife and the hospital from 28wks until delivery. But again, it was only because I'd had an early baby last time.

[julybaby1587]

Im in the US

[julybaby1587]

Im 23 weeka. I got one at 20 wks, dont get another til 34-36 :(

[newmom2b27]

I can only speak from the research I have gathered but it is no real way to figure out who gets more ultrasounds and who doesn't I think it is a combination of ur situation insurance and doc I get more ultrasounds because I am high risk but I know women who have perfectly healthy pregnancies who get just as many as I do so I figured that some docs just believe in scanning more than others regardless of being high risk or not

[Naki123]

I'm in Canada and you also only get 1 at 20 weeks. If you're considered high risk you get additional scans. I just paid to have the 3d ultra sound done so that I got to see my baby at 12 week and 28 weeks on top of the one they gave me at 20 weeks... I'm currently 32 weeks and wish I could see her again to make sure everything is OK in there but I'm sure she is doing great. I'll see her in less then 8 weeks :)

[Mommytobabyboy15]

i wanted a ultrasound at 32 weeks I'm 33 weeks and 4 days. But I find it's not fair that some women get ultrasounds at 31 weeks. I just wanna c wat my baby looks like.

[vic2015]

Im from the UK also and ive only had 2 scans an that was 12 week and 20 week scans coz i wasnt satisfied with just the 2 ive had 2 private scans that i paid for... i think it is a bit silly they dont give u anymore then 2 but at every antinatual ur midwife should be measuring bump and checking babys heartbeat if not then u should tell them to do it coz they are meant to thats the main reason for having them

[norahbee3]

I'm in the US and I am 38 weeks tomorrow..my doc is actually doing a 4th ultrasound today because he said the baby felt big at the last appointment but typically they won't unless you say baby isn't moving as much or something feels wrong..has to b medically needed

[olejjm]

I'm in the US and I've had several done so far. Three scheduled ones, and two on a smaller, portable machine to check heartbeat. I have another scheduled next week. I'm not sure how often they'll do it after the big anatomy scan. I also see my doctor every 4 weeks. At week 28, it'll be every 2 weeks, then at 32 weeks, every week. Good luck!

[maw4389]

Do they offer the 3D ultrasounds where you are? You could always pay and have that done!

[Shohna]

im in england and i get two ultrasounds aswell 12 weeks and 20 weeks..its my second pregnancy aswell so although i have had my scans ive also only seen the midwife at 7 weeks to book, 16 weeks and 28 weeks..i have to see her at 34, 36 and 38 weeks..but ive felt a bit neglected too..my little ones movements help keep me thinking all is okay..but i do worry too..also i dont know anybody who gets a third scan in the third trimester..they deffo dont do that here..gloucestershire

[Nic_Blagdon]

I live in England and i have 3 scheduled ultrasounds. I had one at 12 weeks, one at 22 and will have one at 36 weeks. As far as i thought that was what everyone had. Speak to your midwife and ask her to check heartbeat, mine does at every appt and always have a quick feel on my belly and tells me how the baby is laying. Just a bit of reassurance

[mibabyno1]

They should be measuring the heartbeat at every appointment, but it's normal for them to only use ultrasound if they think something's wrong (like if you are bleeding or cramping or if the baby stops kicking or doesn't have a strong heartbeat). They could do more harm than good with too much u/s exposure. I am 35 weeks and I will have an ultrasound next week because I switched doctors recentlyand I guess they want to check the baby's position as I get close to full term, but with my old doctor, I would have had only the 20 week one and no more. I live in the US. I tell myself every time my baby kicks that most pregnancies are healthy and most complications have symptoms that I don't have, so everything yis probably fine.