Ok so I need some advice before going to my next midwife appt on the 21st. I had a regular checkup about 5 weeks ago and while I was there I asked the midwife when we would be doing another u/s. She said they won't be!! She explained that I am currently doing fine and there is no reason to do another u/s. She also mentioned that insurance is an issue with this as they have no justification for getting one done. Back at 13/14 weeks she told me the same thing (about the insurance) so I contacted them and was told they have no limit on how many u/s you can get. I even double checked with the insurance woman at my office to make sure. So basically I'm not really concerned with whether or not the insurance will cover it. My concern is not getting a u/s at any time from 20 to 40 weeks.
I am beyond thrilled that this pregnancy is being considered normal and am so very thankful all has been going well. But the truth of the matter is that I do have a blood clotting disorder and I feel that at least one more u/s should be done before she arrives. I have read a lot of your blogs and not just do some of you ladies get a u/s but also see a MFM or Peri some time during the 3rd tri. Have any of you not gotten a u/s at all after the anatomy scan? Is this normal? I am thinking that when I go in on the 21st I will tell them that I would like another u/s (perhaps even from a specialist) and if they bring up the insurance just tell them I will take on the resposibility (as I know it will be covered). How can they not have justification? I have lost 2 babies prior and have a diagnosed blood clotting disorder!!! Am I overreacting? Maybe I should just be happy things are going well and leave well enough alone? So I am hoping you ladies can tell me whether or not you got any 3rd trimester scans and what you think I should do. I have no issues with speaking up but just want to know if it's worth it first. Any advice is welcome!!
I am beyond thrilled that this pregnancy is being considered normal and am so very thankful all has been going well. But the truth of the matter is that I do have a blood clotting disorder and I feel that at least one more u/s should be done before she arrives. I have read a lot of your blogs and not just do some of you ladies get a u/s but also see a MFM or Peri some time during the 3rd tri. Have any of you not gotten a u/s at all after the anatomy scan? Is this normal? I am thinking that when I go in on the 21st I will tell them that I would like another u/s (perhaps even from a specialist) and if they bring up the insurance just tell them I will take on the resposibility (as I know it will be covered). How can they not have justification? I have lost 2 babies prior and have a diagnosed blood clotting disorder!!! Am I overreacting? Maybe I should just be happy things are going well and leave well enough alone? So I am hoping you ladies can tell me whether or not you got any 3rd trimester scans and what you think I should do. I have no issues with speaking up but just want to know if it's worth it first. Any advice is welcome!!
10 comments:
Auntie Sissy said...
I believe you are perfectly rational in wanting another u/s. You are considered high risk- and if nothing else, being high risk increases mental stress on the mother. Having a third trimester ultrasound would be reassuring and comforting. But yes, besides reassuring and comforting, it seems well justified to want AT LEAST one more ultrasound.
LuckyOnce said...
With D, I was also told that I wouldn't have any ultrasounds towards the end of the pregnancy. Of course, he was my first, and I hadn't had any trouble yet. As it turned out, I got several more prior to the end of the pregnancy. There were a couple times when he was turned the wrong way and they couldn't find his hb with the doppler, and then I got a couple of non-stress tests at the end as well, and they checked him out by u/s at one of those.
I think it might be common in normal pregnancies to not have more after the anatomy scan, but I agree that in your case, you should ask for more if it makes you feel more comfortable and if your insurance will cover it for you. It's all about your peace of mind!!
CeCe said...
If you feel like you need an ultrasound, push for it.
Laura said...
I'm not quite there yet, but I do know how reassuring it is to be able to see our baby every two weeks at this point in our pregnancy. I'm definitely absorbing the images as much as possible. I don't think it hurts to request another ultrasound. Or do you have a doppler at home? If not, perhaps a compromise would be for them to lend/rent one to you (my very-dear doctor friend says that our hospital does that). This way, you could still get your constant reassurance. Hang in there!
Kailyn's Mommy said...
I have had two scans since my 20 weeks anatomy scan. One was our 3/4D ultrasound that we paid for and was not through my doctor.
The last one I just had was @ 36 weeks and it was to measure her size. It is true about the insurance but ONLY if there is not a reason. A doctor can always put a certain ICD 9 code for a reason ultrasound was needed and then insurance covers it no problem. So my Dr just put they needed to do the ultrasound to make sure she wasn't breach and make sure she was growing properly, ect..
Hope that helps!!
Just tell them when your a little farther along your worried about her growth or something and would like an ultrasound.
Java said...
Definitely demand at least another one if not 2 more...yes most likely everything is fine, but a peek at the baby never can hurt anything! You could always make something up like saying you haven't felt alot of movement or something like that!
TIG said...
I would request for 2 more too. And let them know that insurance is not a problem but it would comfort you especially because of your history. The last thing you need is stress. I know when I've demanded for an u/s to have a reassurance they have given it to me. At the time I was bleeding and needed to know if the baby was ok since they were unable to detect heart beats before 12 wks. Now they just check the heart beat which is also reassuring which I have requested for too. The way I see it, this is what we pay insurance for. And you have every right as a concerned mother. Trust your body and what it's telling you. I just went to the dr. today and I was surprised he said, "you did the right thing by coming in" even though nothing was wrong. It's very important to get that support in every way. Some of my friends have even received a 2nd opinion or changed dr.'s or practice. The best advice my friends and family every shared with me is to "Speak up!" :) All the best!
ashley said...
Most doctors do not do another ultrasound after 20 weeks. If there haven't been any issues prior in the pregnancy than it generally doesn't warrant another u/s. I think I got two more after the 20 weeks but just b/c my doctor felt bad for me for all that I had been through, not b/c he felt it was necessary. Push for what you want, it's your insurance, your money, so your midwife should be more than happy to oblige.
Me said...
When I was pregnant with Reese I only had one u/s. I only had more with Maje so they could moniter my fibroids and how he was growing. So, I think only one u/s for the entire pregnancy is normal (for an uncomplicated pregnancy) but if insurance isn't an issue, then why not?!
Erica said...
Dawn,
How wonderful that your pregnancy is going so well and everything looks great!
But I totally understand your want/need for more ultrasounds. And it is your body and your baby. You are the only one who can really speak up for her! And if another ultrasound (or more!) gives you peace of mind, then ask for it. Be pushy!
I got a couple of extra ones with my OB just because of various concerns along the way, and I always felt like he was rolling his eyes, but who cares! :) My OB didn't seem to think MTHFR was really a valid "thing", which always frustrated me, but I asked about it soooo many times that he eventually referred me to the peri doc. And that was wonderful because I got ultrasounds every week there at the end.
I know your baby is just GREAT, but the peri can actually check blood flow and all that, so if it would make you feel better, then do it! :)
Erica