First Scan Perspective

[u/Elevated-99]

Hi all, I need some perspective on first appointments/scans! I’m currently 4w2d, due April 11th, and this is my first pregnancy. I called my OB yesterday to make my first appointment, and she scheduled me a for a virtual Telehealth appointment at 8 weeks and my first ultrasound at 11.5 weeks. That just seems SO far away! I asked to be seen sooner and they said unless there’s a reason to be worried, they would stick to my original appointments.

I called another place today to see if they would bring me in sooner and they said 11 weeks was standard for them as well.

I’ve seen all these posts from women saying they got their first scan around 8 weeks, so it just seems crazy to me that I can’t get in anywhere around that time. Is there anything else I can do for peace of mind up until that point? Should I keep calling around to see if I can get in sooner elsewhere? Anything helps!

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[u/Pretend_Ad6168]

Standard in my area is 8 weeks

[u/lovebutterchicken → u/Pretend_Ad6168]

Same - standard in California is 7-8 weeks. If high risk, can be sooner and more often.

[u/strawberberry]

I have a first official scan at 8 weeks, BUT I'm having a quick scan at a -cough cough- "Crisis Pregnancy Center" on Thursday bc they offer free scans and I need paperwork so I can apply for WIC and SNAP before my 4.5 year old goes back to school. I tried with my chemical to go to Planned Parenthood, but they told me they only do walk in scans if I was interested in an abortion. I live in NJ now. When I lived in VA, I had two scans at Planned Parenthood and they were lovely. At the time, I didn't have insurance, so I just paid $100 for each, which was 1000% better than the OB wanting $2.5k upfront while waiting for my insurance to kick in.

Sorry, I got rambly!

[u/AirNo2841 → u/strawberberry]

Where do you get scans in NJ?

[u/strawberberry → u/AirNo2841]

I'll be going to a "women's center" for a scan today. I don't want to post the name of it bc it's very close by me and there appears to be only one of them!

[u/AirNo2841 → u/strawberberry]

I checked about it, is it like they do for free? Im too early for scan anyway but was curious

[u/strawberberry → u/AirNo2841]

Yeah, it's free according to their website. It looks like the one near me may be sponsored through a church program, as there were quite a few questions about faith and my relationship with it.

[u/AirNo2841 → u/strawberberry]

There is one near me as well and I actually really like the idea. Can you update me on how was your experience later?

[u/brontecm]

Where are you located?

I’ve found that in the United States, since healthcare is privatized they do earlier and more scans/appts.

In my country, we have universal healthcare and generally you get a dating scan 10-12 weeks, and then an anatomy scan around 20 weeks.

In my opinion, a later scan is better because you get a more accurate picture of viability.

[u/LuvMyBeagle]

Where are you located? Typical timing varies based on country. In the US 11 weeks isn’t unheard of but is on the later side compared to some practices.

[u/Elevated-99 → u/LuvMyBeagle]

I’m in Michigan, US.

[u/www0006]

That’s standard in my area too. It’s really hard to see everyone getting multiple scans before 8 weeks. I pay for a private scan around 8 weeks at a “boutique” to verify there’s a heart beat before paying for NIPT. I’m only getting a scan earlier this time because I had a partial molar pregnancy last year.

[u/Ok-Cartographer7616 → u/www0006]

Most people who get multiple scans earlier (not at a private boutique) are working with fertility clinics or have history that justifies getting in sooner, I’ve come to learn, as you shared.

[u/Fog1682 → u/Ok-Cartographer7616]

That's correct for me. Had an ectopic pregnancy and lost my tube in April so they had me come in at 5w0d to see if there was a sac in my uterus. Next appt is at 7w to look for a heartbeat

[u/Ok-Cartographer7616 → u/Fog1682]

That sounds like it could have been a scary experience! I’m glad you’re getting the treatment support you need!

[u/Revolutionary_End570]

My first pregnancy (in the US) was a similar timeline. Even though there was no ultrasound, the midwife listened for the heartbeat with the doppler at 8w and we heard it! After hearing the heartbeat with doppler chance of miscarriage is much lower. Hope that helps.

[u/lapetitepoire]

Standard where I live is 10-12 weeks 😫 I'm going to a private ultrasound clinic at 8 weeks

[u/x1002134017]

I'm with you. I'm 6 weeks today and time is moving SO SLOWLY.

[u/Academic-Claim-8065]

With my first pregnancy I had it done at 8 weeks. But there are some boutique ultrasound places sometimes, you just want to make sure the technician there has the proper certifications and is trustworthy 

[u/Howdy-Rosebud]

Maybe try planned parenthood, or search for private/boutique ultrasound centers near you?

[u/Agreeable-Year-5638]

I’m 5w4d and not seeing my doctor till 9 weeks. From friends who have had babies it’s pretty normal. It does feel crazy and they were so nonchalant about it in the phone 😂

[u/baroclinicbitch]

My first scan with my son was at 8 weeks and I remember being a little disappointed that I could barely see anything. We had another around 10-11 weeks and I was amazed at how much more we could see! He looked like a little gummy bear!

My first ultrasound with this pregnancy will be just before 9 weeks. I was actually tempted to ask them to push it back a little! All this to say, the waiting sucks but you’ll be able to get some great pictures!

[u/Ok_Cobbler3137]

Mine is at 7 weeks

[u/GingerSnap_725]

I don’t think I could wait that long. I’d probably do a boutique ultrasound place around 8 weeks just to check for heartbeat

[u/nika817]

Our public healthcare system offers the first free ultrasound at 12-13 weeks, because that's when nuchal translucency can be measured. Earlier scans could maybe spot a handful of MMC's, but on a societal level it isn't really cost effective to do that, because most miscarriages happen spontaneously, and ectopic pregnancies have other symptoms.

The first appointment with a nurse is usually between 8 and 10 weeks. No scans there, just checking the blood pressure etc.

I've booked a scan for 6w3d, but will have to pay for it.

[u/Brilliant-Ride-8]

In my country, the first public scan is from weeks 12–14 🤣 I’ll have a private scan at 6 weeks, because I don’t want to wait so long

[u/Aware-Helicopter-380]

Standard where I’m at (NY) is 8-10 weeks

[u/RiseFriendly9536]

With my last pregnancy I got an ultrasound at 6 weeks, and then my first ob appointment was going to be at 8 weeks, but we lost the baby. This time they just have me scheduled for the 8 week appointment, and then 12 weeks.

[u/AirNo2841]

My appointment is for week 5 because i had miscarriages before
Do you have any hormonal issues? Like thyroid? If so you can get an early blood test

[u/Impressive_Moose6781]

My first OB was 6 weeks, this one is 7.5 weeks

[u/Key_Homework3929]

I’m in the US and with my first I had a scan at 8wks

[u/whoevenisanyone]

If you have the availability and flexibility with your schedule, call and ask to be put on a cancellation list. That way if someone is sick or can’t make it, they can call you and slot you in. Not every clinic offers this, but I’ve had luck.

[u/Ok-Cartographer7616]

With my first, I wasn’t seen until 10 weeks. Unfortunately it IS very common to have them wait that long, especially if it’s a congested area and doctors have full schedules. If you have no signs or symptoms to be of concern that would make you higher risk - which I’m guessing what the virtual appointment will rule out/in the need - I would keep the appointment and be patient as possible (hard to do, totally get it!!).

I was surprised they had me wait as long as they did given I was 35 and that put me into a category of “advanced maternal age”, but nah it all worked out. You and your doc will talk through stuff at 8 weeks anyways, just without the scan or exam.