At how many weeks would you have an ultrasound done if you were only having one?
ByQuestion by I Block Stupid People: At how many weeks would you have an ultrasound done if you were only having one?
I’m trying to limit unnecessary interventions, and that includes ultrasound exposure. Unless there are complications that make one really necessary, I just want one really quick check later on in pregnancy to make sure there aren’t any major complications like placenta previa or deformities that would make a homebirth a bad idea.
We do not need an ultrasound for the purposes of determining due date since I’m charting my cycles. We also do not plan to find out the gender ahead of time, and I would never allow them to induce for a “big baby” because ultrasounds done that late in pregnancy are too inaccurate for determining size.
So keeping those things in mind, and the fact that I want to know at least a month before my due date if there are apparent problems that would make it necessary to birth in a hospital with a NICU, at about how many weeks would it be best to get one?
Please give at least some reasoning for your answer. “Ask your midwife” is not an answer. We are currently TTC so I haven’t chosen one quite yet. They will each have their own preferences on what they want, some want you to have three and some are okay with none, I know what I am comfortable with and will partly be basing my choice of a midwife on her being comfortable with it, which is why I’m asking for some other opinions. Thanks.
Best answer:
Answer by Kelsey
I would say one at 20 weeks
Just my opinion 
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14 Comments
May 17th, 2011 at 4:49 am
I’ve only had two. But if i was only having one it would be the 20 week anomaly scan.
More info here:
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/scans/secondtrimesterscans/
May 17th, 2011 at 4:54 am
28-30 weeks to determine if the fetus is growing normally. At this time the baby isn’t too big to get an accurate look for any abnormalities with the placenta, and the baby is big enough that all the organs are in place, just finishing developing.
May 17th, 2011 at 5:20 am
you have to have alot of ultra sounds in the beginning to make sure everything is ok.. your a mother why wouldnt you want to go the ultra sound thats the best part!! 5 months is usually the last ultra sound and they wont do another one unless there are complications
May 17th, 2011 at 5:46 am
i would have at least 2 scans, 1 to check to make sure the baby is alive as some woman find that the baby has died inside of them and need medical intervention and 2 to check the placenta and to make sure the baby is growing ok. and if you have a low placenta then you would need another scan to make sure it moves
May 17th, 2011 at 6:26 am
20 – 22 weeks so you can find out what the sex is!
They can tell you as early as 16, but they are more likely to get it wrong there. 20! 20! 20!
Congratulations.
May 17th, 2011 at 7:19 am
The only medical ultrasound you need is at 20 weeks unless other complications occur requiring an ultrasound before or after that.
Good luck!
May 17th, 2011 at 7:29 am
I had three ultrasounds my entire pregnancy. My first one was an emergency situation so really doesn’t count. My second one at about 28 weeks, which was an anatomy scan to measure the baby’s organs and stuff like that. My third was when I was in the delivery room to see which way my little one was facing. In your case, I would say an anatomy scan is the most important, which is usually given around the end of the second trimester, beginning of the third.
May 17th, 2011 at 8:03 am
Most midwives will suggest one at around 20 weeks. It is mainly to ensure that they baby is growing at the right weight.
They might suggest one sooner if you are unsure of your conception date or the date of your last menstrual.
I had multiple ultrasounds with my first and disliked it. I got really scared. I am now (almost) 33 weeks with my second. I had one ultrasound and am not planning on having any other ones. Doctors will recommend more if something is wrong.
May 17th, 2011 at 8:27 am
hi there, i would go with the 20 weeks one. I also dont like to have unessesary ultrasounds done when pregnant.
unfortunately, because i delivered a almost 11 pound baby on my due date last time, i have to have more ultrasounds at the end of the pregnancy this time around due to size, etc.
good luck
May 17th, 2011 at 9:18 am
well in my opinion I would have 2. You will want one to determine that the pregnancy is in the uterus and see if its a multiple gestation. Then you can have one at around 20 weeks to make sure that everything is looking good. They will want to check out your amniotic fluid level and all the different organs. Something you can look into for yourself is finding a doctor that believes in what you believe in. You will want to be on the same page. Some doctors love to have patients do ultrasounds as others are more reserved. So it depends on the doctor! But if I were you I would want 2. GOOD LUCK!!!! <3<3
ETA: just for some reassurance I had more than 8 ultrasounds due to complications and the baby looks fine and some women even have ultrasounds every week. So if I were you I would feel comfy with 2! <3
May 17th, 2011 at 9:58 am
From what i understand ultrasounds are not bad for the baby and actually beneficial because depending on how more advanced the machine is the better results you get. Mine was at 20 weeks. Usually dr.’s set up the first ultrasound anywhere around 18-22 weeks to see how the baby is growing, to check for anything unusual and for measurements of baby and how far along. Keep in mind that even when you chart, you can’t be 100% sure. Ultrasounds seem to give a better due date. Mine was off only by a few days, but i was actually further along and that was nice to know so that i can be better prepared. I had 2 other ultrasounds before the one at 20 weeks and i found all of them to be relieving and beneficial.
May 17th, 2011 at 10:15 am
It’s hard to say because this is presuming you’re having a normal pregnancy. If there are problems, treatment may be necessary prior to birth, and if it isn’t caught early, it can lead to fetal death. At the same time, having only one and having it done early can mean that you miss later complications, which is the reason we generally have 3 to 4–to see things that were not visible in previous scans. For this reason, I would try not to go as early as 20 weeks, but not as late as 30. Around 25-28 weeks is likely where you’ll be able to catch everything developmentally and environmentally.
You will likely only find a midwife willing to do so few ultrasounds in a birthing center, so I would suggest starting with birthing centers and natural birth resources in your area.
Either way, much baby dust to you, and good luck finding the perfect midwife!
May 17th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Most Dr’s offices have a mandatory scan done at 20 weeks to check for complications such as you are speaking of… Besides the ultrasound done before 12 weeks at most Dr’s offices this is the only mandatory one. So I would def say 20 weeks or there about. By that time the baby is developed enough to be able to show any concern through an ultrasound. Also you may want to do an early ultrasound before 12 weeks to determine your due date as charting your cycles doesn’t mean much. I charted my cycled and my due date was off by a week as I ovulated late. And my baby girl still had to be induced after the later due date as she didn’t want to come out on her own. Complications of doing 2 weeks over your ACTUAL due date include but are not limited to a still birth because the placenta starts to die. Good luck TTC. And also pay attention to your body. As you may already know when you are ovulating you discharge will be like a mans thick and mucus like. It’s unmistakable.
May 17th, 2011 at 10:38 am
Well I had to have a lot but thats because of the complications I ran into. I don’t even remember. But I think at 20 wks or so is a good time especially as long as you and your baby are healthy! Good Luck and congrats!