U/S Frequency???

I'm a few weeks away from starting my second trimester and at my last appt (at 10 weeks on the nose), I got a doc I'd never seen before. I was unimpressed w/her on several levels but what concerned me most was that she said I didn't need to go in again for a normal check-up or to have another u/s until 18 weeks; she offered only genetic testing in the meanwhile. Eight weeks seems like an awfully long time to go w/o a normal check-up and u/s, but I don't want to make a stink unless I'm sure this is unusual. So, help me out -- How often did you guys have doctor visits and ultrasounds, especially in the second trimester? Should I push to have something more before 18 weeks?

(Thanks in advance for all your comments!)

 

I'm a few weeks away from starting my second trimester and at my last appt (at 10 weeks on the nose), I got a doc I'd never seen before. I was unimpressed w/her on several levels but what concerned me most was that she said I didn't need to go in again for a normal check-up or to have another u/s until 18 weeks; she offered only genetic testing in the meanwhile. Eight weeks seems like an awfully long time to go w/o a normal check-up and u/s, but I don't want to make a stink unless I'm sure this is unusual. So, help me out -- How often did you guys have doctor visits and ultrasounds, especially in the second trimester? Should I push to have something more before 18 weeks?

(Thanks in advance for all your comments!)

 

I was seen every 4 weeks until I reached 20 weeks. At 20 weeks, I had OB appt.'s every 2 weeks and u/s's every 3 weeks.

I've had some things come up in the meantime, so now I go twice weekly for NST's and OB appt.'s. One of those days I have an u/s done with a BPP.

HTH.

and congrats on your pregnancy!!

Misti

 

and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
I found out that I was having twins at 6 weeks - at 9 weeks I started to see the peri so at that point I was going to the doctor twice a month - 1 visit to the OB and 1 visit to the peri.
I had ultrasounds at every visit - regular at OB and level II
at the peri. at about 26 weeks I saw the OB every 2 weeks and the peri once a month (ultrasound at every visit)- then at 30 weeks I went to the peri once a week and the OB once a week which is what I do now - the OB doesn't do an ultrasound anymore - they do an NST (Non stress test) and the peri does the ultrasound (growth scan and biophysical profile(bpp))
In the beginning they did the ultrasounds at the OB's office to
be sure they were getting the heartrates of both babies - they were real quick ultrasounds. The ultrasounds at the peri last about an hour - they tell me about how much the girls weigh and they do a
very detailed scan with a much better machine than my OB has -
so I really look forward to those visits!!

 

My OB's are VERY laid back and I was seen once a mo through first trimester, every other week through 2nd trimester, and once a week beginning at 30 weeks! I began weekly non-stress tests at 30 weeks. I got a level 2 US at 20 weeks and have had them monthly since then.

8 weeks does seem like a long time between visits - I would suggest calling one of the OB's you've liked in the past and ask them for a second opinion on the frequency of visits, or ask them straight out to explain why they feel they don't need to see you for 8 weeks.

Good luck - and let us know what they say, should you talk with them about it.

 

I had my first regular appointment at week 12 then my next appointment and my first u/s at 19 weeks. My u/s schedule went like this 19, 23, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 then I delivered at 36.

 

From about 8 weeks, I had ob appointments every 4 weeks and after 16 weeks had ultrasounds about every 4 weeks as well. At 20 weeks my ob started seeing me every 3 weeks, and at 31 or 32 weeks he wants to have me go in for weekly ultrasounds.
Helen

 

I had my first appt at 9 weeks and then every 4 after that. At 22 it started every two weeks. I had an ultraound at 17 weeks and will not have another until 26 weeks.

 

I had the first U/S at 12 weeks, then ultrasounds once a month and doctor visits once a month until about 28 weeks, then U/S every 3 weeks and doc visits twice a month, at 32 weeks NSTs twice a week ...

I just had my 34 week U/S last week and figured they'd want to schedule one at around 36 weeks or so, but they said no, there isn't much growth to measure in that short a time and they do them every 3 weeks, and 3 weeks was 37 weeks and I may be in labor by that point, so no more were scheduled!! I thought that was a little odd, but everything has been going well, no issues, so maybe that's why??? I see the doc every week now as well.

Oh, around 17 weeks I started having bleeding issues and had a few more U/S and doc visits to check the previa that was going on.

 

I was seen every 3-4 weeks up to 18 weeks. I had a sonogram at 11w5d that showed ONE baby, so I wasn't really high risk or anything at that point. When I went in at 18 weeks, it was 3 weeks after my last appt. cause I knew my stomach was huge for what was normal. It ended up I was measuring 10-11 weeks ahead of my date. I knew my dates were right on and they were suspecting either too much fluid or twins.

So I had a sonogram that same week and found out there were indeed twins! But they were concerned about TTTS, so I was sent to a specialist the following week for an u/s. Then another u/s with him 3 days later to check on things again. At 21 weeks I was sent to Dr. Quintero in Tampa for the TTTS stuff. He suggested not to do the surgery at this point, so we were sent back home and I now have weekly u/s visits with the peri and I see my regular doctor every other week just to keep her in the loop basically.

Ok, that was long! lol

Anyway, without reading all the other responses, if you already know it's twins, I personally wouldn't be comfortable with waiting another 8 weeks to be seen, let alone an u/s! I would be pushy about it, but that's my opinion.

 

I was seen once a month with u/s until 28 weeks. Then every 2 weeks with u/s until 32 weeks. Then once a week, u/s 34 weeks, nst 34,35,36,37 weeks and scheduled c/s 37 weeks 2 days!!

 

I had one at 8 weeks, 12 weeks and then had to wait until 20 weeks....well, I convinced them to do it at 18 weeks b/c I thought 8 weeks was too long to go. After 20 weeks, I had one every 4 weeks. I did not have a peri, just and OB with no complications.

 

I found out at 11 wks I was pregnant with twins. I went back 4 wks later (15 wks) for a check-up and quickie ultrasound. At 18 wks had my first level II ultrasound and will have level II serial ultrasounds every 4 weeks from here on out. I had a check-up at 19 wks, 23 wks and will now be seen every other wk until 30 wks when I start going every week. This is SOP at my OB for a non-complicated twin pregnancy. Even non-complicated singleton pregnancies are seen every 4 wks in the second trimester.

I don't know what state you live in, but there are many states in a crisis. OB/GYN's cannot afford outragious rates on malpractice insurance and so many are closing their doors. The OB's that remain in business are overworked and have huge client pools. Don't know if this could be a contributing factor. Maybe your OB group is so busy that they cannot find time to treat all patients within the recommended recall range. You may want to check into this. I don't even know what you would do with this information, but it might help!

 

Sneaky mom alert

call back in 4 weeks with regular back pain or an unusual discharge and see a different doctor when they tell you to come in right away... there are certain tests that they do at the 16 week exam (I thought)so if you are worried concerned orr confused write your questions down go in and make you OB answer them.. Even in my four singleton births I have never been seen less than 1 time per month. (of course i was lazy and missed apts but all babies were born fine) or you could take the dirrect approach and tell doc "hey see me sooner or I'll TP your house." But dont sit there and worry for 8 weeks or worse let a problem escalate because some disinterested doctor made a bad call.

(allegedly bad call)

Good Luck
Mari
Newbie to the board

 

Michelle- your post reminds me of when Pres. Bush said OBGYN's were not able to "share their love" with women all over the country". I think he was trying to say "do the job they love" because of the malpractice rates. Ah, Bush...what will we do without the soundbytes?

I would not lie about having problems. Seems like when you say somebody died to get out of something at work or school and then it happens and you feel horrible. I'd tell them you wanted a nuchal scan (if insurance covers) at 12 weeks. It is the best time to measure this. I'd also tell them you want reassurance that you have made it past the precarious first trimester. My doctor has let me come in because DS jumped on my belly and I was freaking out. I think they are generally really sweet to twin moms because we have so much to worry about (and if you feel movement you still worry it's only one and the other is in trouble). I got diagnosed at 8 weeks with twins, was at the peri and Ob at 12 weeks. I told the OB I didn't like having two appts in one week, so now they stagger me and I get an appt every 2 weeks (first the peri, then the OB). It's really reassuring to see they're still alive every two weeks, even though these are spontaneous di/di twins with no signs of a problem so far.

 

8 weeks definately seems like too long. my dr sees me every 4 weeks, until approx 24 weeks then it is every other week, and does an ultrasound at every appointment. even with my singleton he never went more than 4 weeks. I would definately call and make an appointment with another dr, if you weren't impressed with this one now is the best time to make the switch if you can.

 

I'm 23 1/2 weeks and so far the doctor has been doing u/s every 4 weeks. My regular OB is also my peri.

 

Even with this singleton, I get regular check-ups every 4 weeks. Did your twins look like they had a separate placenta & sacs on the u/s? If so, you can probably go until 18 weeks before another u/s. If they suspected at all that they might be sharing a placenta and/or sac then you would need to be seen more frequently to monitor for TTTS. TTTS only happens in about 10% of identical pregnancies but it needs to be treated so identicals are watched more closely. Every 2-3 weeks between u/s would be ideal. I would also call the office and ask why they aren't bringing you in for a normal checkup for another 7 weeks since 4 weeks is the norm even in singleton pregnancies.

 

WOW, you all have had WAY more u/s than I have. I am 30 weeks right now, and I've only had an u/s at 11 weeks, 19 weeks, and a recheck at 22 weeks. I have never had a growth scan, but I FINALLY get to have one on Wednesday (30 weeks). Even after that one, my doc says she will only scan me every 4-6 weeks. I guess I should only have one more after this then. ???

I have also just gone to my OB, never a peri, and I have always only gone once a month. I think this time I'll switch to every two weeks. I'm not sure, though.

We are having fraternals (b/g). Does this not sound right? Should I be going more frequently?

 

Every 4 weeks - but starting at 28 weeks I had NSTs 1x a week, then 2x a week at 32 weeks, and they do a very quick ultrasound to check the fluid levels at each of those appointments. My OB is very conservative and my perinatologist said once a month is enough, since I am not having any other problems.
jcs

 

quote:
Originally posted by Surprised Mom!:

We are having fraternals (b/g). Does this not sound right? Should I be going more frequently?


Probably since you're having fraternals - they seem to be lower risk in general. I've had like 5 u/s and going for another today - weekly or 2x weekly from here on out, but it's because I'm having identicals sharing a placenta and IUGR on one baby. I'm sure you're OB is doing what he/she thinks is needed.

 

Mary

Didn't mean to make it sound like lying. What i meant was that at any given point in a pregnancy most moms are having some concern that can warrant a doctors visit. Most of the time you ignore them or down play them as the price of having a baby. ( I know i personally get stretching pains back pains and so on and so forth). However the point that i was trying to get across was this: Things can go so badly so quickly in a pregnancy that if you think that you need medical supervision and you doctor wont see you then you need to find some way of being seen or see a doctor who is more cautious and careful. You can not be afraid to be a little forward to get the job done. i know many people (myself included) have had medical problems go undiagnosed for years because we took the word of a doctor who said we just needed rest, or are too heavy, or too thin, or it will go away on its own, only to later find gallstones or fibroids some other such thing. in pregnancy you don't have years you are living month to month and week to week and then day to day. and if she thinks that 8 weeks is too long then she should do something about it be it being seen for a routine complaint, demanding that her doctor see her more often or finding a doctor who will work with her.

Mari
Firm believer in acting on womens intuition
newbie to the board

 

I agree that eight weeks is too long; I would call the office and either talk to the doctor you saw, or someone else in the office and see what is standard. I can't imagine anthing more than four week intervals even with a singleton. I agree with the pp; you should definitely listen to your instincts and dont' let anyone talk you out of what you think is right.

 

ok, now i'm really doubting my wife's OB....we found out that we were having twins at our infertility specialist's office at week 7 with a simple ultrasound (two sacs, two heartbeats, everything was healthy). We were then told we had to make an appointment with my wife's regular ob. We just had our first appointment with her regular OB who said that our first u/s wouldn't be until week 18. This doctor has no knowledge of our first u/s at the infertility specialist and is just going by our word that we have twins. Shouldn't we have our first u/s before week 18???? she did say that the u/s would be with a peri on week 18.....we're searching for a new ob, i just don't have a good feeling about this office.....