How many sonograms have you had ?

[Anonymous]

I am 35 weeks and have had 3 - 14 weeks (Nucchal Trans), 21 weeks, 23 weeks (degenerating fibroid) and will have another one this Friday.

So, 4 total, unless I have to have more before I deliver?

[Anonymous]

Wow -- I had so many, can't even remember. I had a cerclage at 12 weeks and so went regularly (like every other week) to at least have a vaginal sono to check the cerclage. While on the one hand, if I get pregnant again I hope I don't have to have a cerclage, on the other it was incredibly reassuring to be constantly checked to make sure all was well. i think it would be really hard to only have three!!

[Anonymous]

I had one at:

5 weeks (because I freaked out in the doctor's office and they took pity)
8 weeks (dating purposes in prep for CVS)
11 weeks (CVS done elsewhere)
19 weeks (the "big one")
24 weeks (baby wasn't moving much and we were leaving the country)

Don't know if I will have another, but assume one before I deliver to determine if breech or not?

[Anonymous]

I didn't have any sonos for either of my pregnancies. That's right, zero.

If my midwife had suspected any problem at all, then we would have ordered one for medical necessity. Most medical problems give some type of warning signal that is detectable first in other ways. Plus, midwives are typically able to palpate to determine the size and position of the baby. So, I never had a need for a sono.

With my next pregnancy I will ask for a 20 week sono because I want to know the gender next time. My midwife doesn't think that is a good reason to perform an unnecessary medical procedure, but she will agree to it because she respects her patients choices.

[Anonymous]

I've had several - had heavy bleeding in the first trimester and the performed them to check for a heartbeat and ensure that I did not have ectopic, etc. I had the first trimester screen, and the big one at 20 weeks. It's my understanding that because everything turned out fine at the screen, that I shouldn't expect to have another one until I'm 35 or 36 weeks.

I don't think that there is a right number - if you have a history of miscarriage (like me) or other concerns you are likely to have more sonograms in your first trimester.

[Anonymous]

I had two for both pregnancies. I was 35 for my last pregnancy. I was low risk and there was no need. I think you only have more when you are high risk.

[Anonymous]

I had two for both pregnancies. I was 35 for my last pregnancy. I was low risk and there was no need. I think you only have more when you are high risk.

The previous responses in this thread have already proven that is not the case for many women/many doctors. I am 30, completely low risk, have had a healthy and uneventful pregnancy so far, and have had three routine ultrasounds -- 8 weeks for dating and viability, 12 weeks for nuchal translucency screening, 20 weeks for the "big one" to check the baby's growth and look for any abnormalities, and will have another late in the third trimester to examine baby's size and placement.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I'm the PP, and I should say that I have requested none of these. These are standard for my doctor and his practice (affiliated with a teaching hospital).

[Anonymous]

The nuchal is recommended, but definitely not routine.

[Anonymous]

I am 36 and my practice doesn't do extra ones just based on that age.

I had one around 12 weeks for CVS (not at my practice), one at 20 weeks, one after a fall, and will have one close to my due date for placement purposes.

If I hadn't done CVS or fallen, I think I would have ended up with just two.

[Anonymous]

I am at the other end of the spectrum. I was over 35 and had high blood pressure before I got pregnant with #1. I went to the high risk group with #1; I am seeing the same group for pregnancy #2. Their office has the equipment (including 4D sonograms which I thought were scary looking).

With #1, I got a sonogram at every visit except 1.

With this pregency, I have gotten a sonogram at every visit. I am now at 36 weeks. I've had at least 7 so far. I now have the nonstress test weekly and as part of that, I get a sonogram each week so they can measure the fluid levels.