? Ultrasounds

[brideofjabba]

I have been lurking on a couple of the other boards...and a lot of girls are having early ultrasounds. Now, do you have to get a referral from your dr for that. I know the routine one is not until 18weeks but i would love to have one earlier to figure my dates more accurately and just to see bubs. So if i want one earlier do i have to see my dr about it? Does anyone know? What does it cost if its not a routine ultrasound? anyone know?
Thanks!

[brideofjabba]

oh and what is the earliest you can have one and NOT have to have an internal one?

[drewid]

Hi

Usually you can have an early ultrasound if you are unsure of your dates. Ask your GP for a referral for one, if you want one :)

Costs can vary, I don't remember how much my early one was exactly but I think maybe $90? Something like that. It was just a very basic external scan to check if there was actually a bub in there!

I'm not sure if there is a timeline on having internal scans. I only had 1 internal one at around 34ish weeks to check on the position of the placenta. Again, I think it depends on who is doing your scan, as to what kind of scan they will do.

[JellyBean06]

I had a Dating Scan at 8 weeks (external) and am having a NT Scan Monday (12 weeks). Get a referal from your Dr but ring around different Radiologist for the best price.

[Seekrit]

I had a scan at 10 weeks, I just asked my doctor if I could get a referral to one. :)

The internal ones, tho' they sound scarey, aren't that bad. :) You can normally see a lot more, and the technician doesn't look, I had my legs all covered with a towel and she just held the 'wand' in the general area and said "guide it in for me" (heard THAT one before! :p ) and that was it. You don't really feel it once it's in there, just a bit of pressure.

Just FWIW :)

[Sarie]

I had a dating scan at 7 weeks last time. I'm actually keeping track this time, so I shouldn't need it this time round;)

[Lou]

Hey Andrea, I'm pretty sure that you do have to get a referral to have one done. I had a dating scan when I was about 6 1/2 wks and that was an internal. As far as costs go, mine was $130 and I then got about half back from Medicare. I'm booked in for my NT scan at 13wks and have just found out that none of this is covered by medicare. I'm not sure if everywhere's different though?

[JellyBean06]

Shop around! My Dating Scan (through Benson's Radiology) was $50, but because I've paid for that every other U/S will be free! I got it done at a Public Hospital (but the Radiologist is a private company). Search around - you do not have to go with the company that the doctor has referred you too! Also ask for discounts for multiple U/S if you plan to go back later. It'll save you a lot of money in the end :D

[Lou]

Wow, I got completely ripped off!! How much is your NT Scan?

I do know that I could've gone to one of the public hospitals and had them done but I would've had to wait nearly 2 mnths! so it would've find of defeated the purpose.

[melfunction]

I I had my legs all covered with a towel and she just held the 'wand' in the general area and said "guide it in for me" (heard THAT one before! :p )


PMSL.......


I had early ones because I had severe cramping pains for the first 10 weeks..Think I had 3 internal and the rest were external..Dr gave me referrals each time..Southern Xray at Strathpine bulk bills :D

[Sarie]

Yup I went there last time too, they were great, except they told be the wrong sex.
But yay for bulk billing!

[brideofjabba]

lol@Sarie.
Nice to see you around Seekrit!
I will discuss it with my dh. I don't mind paying if i have too.

Thanks everyone!

[JellyBean06]

Wow, I got completely ripped off!! How much is your NT Scan?

I do know that I could've gone to one of the public hospitals and had them done but I would've had to wait nearly 2 mnths! so it would've find of defeated the purpose.

My NT Scan on Monday will be free. It's not the actual Hospital doing it - it's a private company but they happen to be in the Hospital. Most of them do it here in Adelaide. It's always worth ringing around. I rang up only the other day and got booked in for Monday. I think some States are proving really shocking when it comes to ANC! :o

[shed]

It definitely is worth shopping around. You only need the referral to "somewhere" and you can take that to "anywhere". Ring around and see who bulk bills. Its the same thing you're getting and it leaves more money for baby stuff (and chocolate) :D

[~Sarah~]

she just held the 'wand' in the general area and said "guide it in for me" (heard THAT one before! :p )

HAHAHAH PMSL
I would have said....that's what got me into this mess!

[*Country Bumpkin*]

hi I had an ultrasound at around 6 weeks and although you couldnt see much they were able to tell me how many weeks I was. You have to get a ref from your Dr to go- if you are in QLD I can tell you that you can go to Southern Xray Clinics at Strathpine and they will bulk bill you I have had heaps ok xrays and stuff done there, just make sure you get ur Dr to tick the Bulk Bill box on the ref form:o

[Fairyfloss]

it is so exciting top hear other mums getting their u/s soon, I manged to book 12 week u/s on the excat day that I wanted, can't wait to see the bub again, and hopefully it will be a bit more defined than a white blub. will let you know how it all goes.:)

[mum2peanut]

I had m first u/s at 7wks due to a prior m/c. My next one was then at 12 wks, I think if you're private the 12 week one is part and parcel, where as from what I've been told it's not in the public sys unless you want at NT. My 7 wk was internal, but I think from after 12 wk they can do them externally. Internal not that bad tho, the wand doesn't go in very far. My obs also did an int u/s in the surgery.

[fruitjuice]

My doctor referred me to a clinic to get one done, it only costed $50. She only referred me because to get pregnancy councelling you have to prove that you're pregnant. I thought I was 10 weeks pg but it turns out i'm only 7 weeks (It wasn't internal either). I think i get $25 back off medicare though. I would have got the picture printed out but it really wasn't much, just a yolk sac and a kidney bean on top. So it wasn't very exciting.

Anyway, the clinic was really awful, I went there to get councelling to help me to deal with this very unexpected pregnancy and the doctor just sat there and tried to sell abortion as if it was my only option. So I came out of there feeling even worse.

[missie_mack]

Hi
I had a dating ultrasound done at 8 1/2 weeks. It was $110 and I got $50ish back from medicare. I had the internal done which sounds very daunting (I didnt sleep for like 2 nights before it) but it actually wasnt that bad- not uncomfortable like a pap smear as I expected and I was able to be modest about it. You can get ones done which are external but because your jelly bean is so small the pictures arent as good as what they can get closer at your cervix. My next one is 12-14 weeks and that is the one they use to predict whether there is due to be any defects etc with a blood test. After that Im having one about 18 weeks. Now that Ive already had one Im happy to wait a little longer for the next so it is more detailed etc.

If you want the best pictures of your baby close your eyes and go for the internal- Im the shy type, having my first and feel as though I kept some modesty

[neneales]

Hi
I had a dating ultrasound at 8wks then I just had my down sydrome scan at
13wks but I had to pay for that one and the first one I just payed the gap which was $40 I think!

I want to get the 3D scan for my 19wk scan so I have some searching to do!

:) - Teneale 23
:rolleyes: - Wade 28
:p - Taela 3
:p - Madison 2
Bubby EDD 17th Aug