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Category: Prenatal Testing

Asked by Kitten90

Q: Is it routine to have a "growth ultrasound" ?

I'm sure this varies depending on where you live, but I'm just wondering because I haven't had an ultrasound since 18 weeks when they did the anatomy scan, and they told me they don't plan on doing another one unless something is wrong. They already know baby has been head down since 28 weeks and she dropped around 31 just from feeling my belly. There was a couple times that my FH measurement was ahead by 3 or 4cm and they said it's just from baby's position, which I believe is true because now at 36 weeks I'm right on track =)

This question was asked Oct. 30, 2014 1:27pm
Category: Prenatal Testing

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Answers (16)

Answered by Kitten90 - Nov. 1, 2014 6:08pm

I'm not on Medicaid though I'm on Medicare, which is different. In my state since I live in Maine it's called Mainecare, and they don't really have much for limitations on ultrasounds. Literally half of my friends that had kids were on it and they had growth ultrasounds and weren't even measuring different than I am lol. It's just my doctor's office apparently.

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Answered by eag923 - Nov. 1, 2014 4:36pm

PS- and it's not just Medicaid, even though I do think they are the worst for restricting ultrasounds in my state. Most insurances will only pay for 3 unless there is valid medical need.

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Answered by eag923 - Nov. 1, 2014 4:34pm

I do not know a lot of drs that do ultrasounds after the anatomy scan unless an issue comes up. That's pretty much routine unless you have complications. Most drs can accurately tell the size of the baby by merely palpating your abdomen. My Dr was only off by a few ounces when he estimated size. Since you're on Medicaid, that limits how many ultrasounds you can have unless a complication arises. I did have a 4th ultrasound at 32 wks with my first due to her developing a fetal arrhythmia. At 32 wks, she was already over 5 lbs - the size of an avg 36 week baby. Despite her huge size, they still didn't do further ultrasounds bc as my Dr said, women have been pushing out 10 lb babies since the beginning of time. I wouldn't worry about size or complications due to size. Most babies grow to be just the right size for the mother's body.

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Answered by hopejosh - Oct. 31, 2014 9:36pm

Just don't dwell on it, it can make a difference in the outcome, at least in my opinion and experience lol. Good luck to you :)

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Answered by Kitten90 - Oct. 31, 2014 6:42pm

It's definitely not an insurance issue. I'm about 99% positive now that it's just how that particular practice operates lol. It's a little frustrating for me but as there's nothing I can do about it I'll just have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst (the worst being that I may end up needing an emergency c-section)

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Answered by hopejosh - Oct. 31, 2014 4:06pm

I have been getting done every 4 weeks since 20 weeks to check growth and fluid levels, but only because I have gestational diabetes and a history of previous preeclampsia. Most doctors won't oder more than necessary and some insurance companies won't cover more.

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Answered by Kitten90 - Oct. 31, 2014 2:21pm

I measure ahead too but they won't order a scan lol. My first appointment in the third trimester my FH measurement was 4 cm ahead. The next couple were 2cm ahead and 3cm ahead. They said that is all "within range" and doesn't necessarily mean anything. I would really just like to know for my own curiosity's sake lol! There's no other place around here for me to go though.

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Answered by maggie22 - Oct. 31, 2014 9:35am

I have been measuring ahead, at, my recent midwife appointment I was 3cm ahead and was ordered an ultrasound. Everything looked normal except baby had a 93rd percentile abdo circumference. Now I have to have a long diabetes test to rule that out.

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Answered by Kitten90 - Oct. 30, 2014 6:52pm

I guess what I don't get is why they won't do one? Just because she's head down and dropped doesn't mean there won't be complications with a natural birth. Why not just do a scan to check her size at least? I know she could very well change her positioning during labor so there's no guarantee there but it'd be nice to have some peace of mind knowing she won't be too big =/

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Answered by football_girl - Oct. 30, 2014 5:12pm

I live in Florida, and I wouldn't be getting another ultrasound if my blood pressure wasn't high. It's been high the whole pregnancy (chronic hypertension) so my doctor said I'll probably get another ultrasound at 28 weeks to make sure he's measuring okay since those with chronic hypertension usually have small babies. I wouldn't worry about it :)

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