Ultrasounds

[Pinkbug]

Not sure if this is the right one to post in this thread or different thread...

As I am 9 weeks pregnant (:smiliedance:found out today it is 9 weeks not 7 or 8 weeks) I am wondering when is the right time to have an ultrasound??? coz I have a daughter who is 3 and I remember getting one at 14 weeks and etc so on... When I visited the doctor this morning she said not usually until about 20 weeks!!! I was kinda of confused coz I already had one at 14 weeks then another one at 18 weeks and so on... :banghead: VERY CONFUSED LOL :confused:

Can anyone help me!!?! Thanks :D

[MrsMiggins]

Generally you can expect to be offered one U/S at 18-20 weeks. This is really the only standard one offered.

You may also be offered the Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan at around 11 weeks to screen for Down's Syndrome.

Further scans may be offered if you have a condition that warrants it (eg, I had a total of 8 scans last time due to placenta praevia).

You may also have earlier scans to check dates if you are not sure of the date of your last menstrual period, or if your Dr thinks that the dates may be wrong.

The NT scan is sometimes offered as a routine scan, but some Dr's (including mine) do not use it as a routine scan & will only offer it as standard to women at higher risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome.

I am actually going to request the 11 week scan this time as I want to see if they can check the position of my placenta too.

[HelloKitty]

Im a private patient so im not sure if it is the same for public patients but i have had 2 scans already (I am 12 weeks). The first was at 8 weeks to check the dates as i was confused when i was due. The second was with my new obs and she did one. She will continue to do one each month at the start of our visits. She believes its a good way to bond with the baby and make sure all it alright. As this is my first im not sure of the standard protocol but im sure if you asked and said you wanted to see bubs they would let you. It may cost you $$$ though, im not sure. Good luck! :wave:

[Pinkbug]

Thanks for your advice.. I am actually not quite 100% sure that I am 9 weeks Coz i have a bad memory I don't keep track of my cycles I just can't be bothered and don't have time... I am keen to have the Nuchal Translucency.. I did ask about that to the doctor but she said it is not neccessary!!! I was kinda mad about that coz I just want to be safe etc I hope this doesn't make me feel or look bad the way I am talking about it... But I want to be safe etc...

Another thing is the woman doctor is not my regular doctor... as seeing I moved to werribee a year ago I wish I could go to my normal doctor but he is far away as he is the best he is very cautious and careful with pregnant women.... which is why I had the scan at 14 weeks... Maybe I should pop over to him through the week and express my concerns hmmm...as in the end it will be worth the sacrifice of going to the distance.:rolleyes: :confused:

[SammieSnail]

Pinkbug, your doctor probably just meant it wasn't 'medically necessary'....if you want it, request a referal for it....

As a NT scan is not 'medically necessary' you will not recieve a medicare rebate for it unless you are in a high risk category (ie under 18, over 35, or have a family history of genetic abnormalities) so if you have your heart set on it book with a place that bulk bills or you could be up to $250 out of pocket (this is what we would have had to pay because the provider didn't bulk bill....)

[~Danni~]

I am in werribee, all you need to do is go to the medical center al the plaza and see one of the GP's (I like all the male ones better than the ladies though) and ask to have an ultrasound to date your pregnancy, just let them know your not sure of the dates and they give you a referal to the u/s place there, I did that with both mine and had one at 9 and one at 12 weeks:D Also if you request one at 11/12 weeks they cant not give it to you I don't think:confused:

They bulk bill so no fees also :p

[mich71]

i know in nsw nt scan is offered to everyone as and does have rebate with medicare but i do know not eveywere can do then

[Pinkbug]

thanks baby bungee! i was shocked when the lady doctor at the plaza medical centre refused to refer me to for an ultrasound!!! my partner was so angry! he was with me when i asked for referral. I am actually going to the hospital this saturday for a visit etc so will ask the midwife... hopefully she can help if not I will go to plaza and ask for a man doctor!

fingers crossed!!! :fingerscrossed: thanks ;)

thanks to all for ur replies :D

[proud_mum2b]

i know in nsw nt scan is offered to everyone as and does have rebate with medicare but i do know not eveywere can do then

not true unless u are deemed high risk (over 35 etc) and i wasnt offered one i asked about it and me and my dp decided it wasnt worth it we would love our baby regardless.