How frequently do you go to the doctor and growth u/s?

Last week, I scheduled out my appointments for the rest of my pregnancy. I was just curious how often you all go to the doctor. So far (thank goodness) the pregnancy has been uneventful and I'm just seeing a regular OB (no peri). This is my second pregnancy and first one went fine, I delivered four days late, which my OB says is a good sign for this pregnancy.

Also, I'm getting growth ultrasounds every six weeks, is that normal?

Anyway, just curious.
-TL

 

My appointments so far have been every four weeks with the OB and every four weeks with the peri for ultrasound. I'm technically high risk, as this is my first pregnancy, we conceived via IUI and I'm 37, but cross our fingers, everything has been routine so far.

 

My situation is a little bit different from yours due to my past history. Are your twins dichorionic or monochorionic (2 placentas or 1?) If they share a placenta you really should have ultrasounds at least every two weeks. If there are two placentas, you probably should have a growth ultrasound every 4 weeks, from 20 weeks on.

Because of my past history and because mine are monochorionic, I have appointments every week (switching off from peri to OB). Growth ultrasounds have basically been done every two weeks, but sometimes they are more detailed than other times. They at least do a couple measurements each visit to see if they are growing concordantly.

 

I went every 4 weeks to see a peri. Then every 4-6 weeks for growth u/s. Then around 28 weeks I started going every 2 weeks. Then by 34 weeks it was weekly. Then my last u/s was at 35 weeks exactly!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

 

Have been seeing a peri exclusively since I was 16 weeks pregnant.

Growth u/s every 4 weeks.

Peri appt every 2 weeks starting at around 30 weeks.

NST's every week starting at 32 weeks.

 

Up to week 24- regular OB every 4 wks
Week 24-32- regular OB every other week
Week 32+ - MFM specialist every week

Level II u/s every 4 weeks starting at Week 18
NST & BPP every week starting Week 34

 

I saw my peri every two weeks until I was admitted at 23 weeks. Then I saw him every day, twice a day. I had growth u/s every 3 weeks and quicker u/s at least weekly, depending on how everything was doing at the time.

 

My twins are mono/di - they share a placenta and a chorion but each have a separate amniotic sac; I saw my OBS every four weeks til about 28 weeks (i think, maybe it was 24?!) and had a u/s every four weeks as well. They would have started weekly NST and u/s at 32 weeks but i had a pre-e scare so i have seen them every week since and am doing weekly u/s so they can monitor them closely.

I was told that even if they are monochorionic, if significant problems develop (like TTTS) before 24 weeks there is not much they can do in terms of intervention.

Six weeks between u/s sounds like a lot- I would talk about it w/my doc and also check w/your insurance, some only allow a certain number but they are more flexible if it is a multiple pregnancy and deemed necessary - your doc's office would have to code it correctly,

 

I will have a montly ultrasound with a peri
Regular OB appointments monthly, then biweekly starting in the 3rd trimester. Weekly starting at 32 weeks.

 

I only saw on OB, no peri. I saw him once a month until 28 or 30 weeks, then every 2 weeks for another visit or 2. I delivered at 35 weeks, 6 dyas, so I'm pretty sure we were at once a week appts by then. Pretty similar on the ultrasounds.

 

As soon as I found out I was having twins my doctor sent me to a peri. I have growth scans every 2-3 weeks. Now mine are monochorionic so maybe they monitor a little more closely. If you don't feel like you are getting what you need definitly speak up. I know things can come up pretty suddenly with twins. I'm sure your doctor's know what they are doing but just make sure you are comfortable. Good Luck

 

thanks for posting this...i was wondering the same

 

quote:
I was told that even if they are monochorionic, if significant problems develop (like TTTS) before 24 weeks there is not much they can do in terms of intervention.


I'm still not sure if the OP has a monochorionic or dichorionic twin pregnancy, and she's already 23 weeks which is great, but I'd have to say the above quote is a common misconception. I just want to clarify for the benefit of anyone else reading this.

Frequent monitoring has a huge advantage of catching TTTS when it first starts developing. For women less than 24 weeks pregnant, there are a lot of treatments for TTTS...amnioreductions, laser surgery, sepsostomies, bed rest and nutritional therapy. These things have saved many babies lives. With less frequent ultrasounds, TTTS can go undetected and the opportunity for treatment can be lost. Anyway, there is a lot more info on this on the Health Issues Forum and also at tttsfoundation.org.

We lost our girls to TTTS at 23 weeks. Looking back, I know I was already showing signs of the problem by 18 weeks, but my doctor was very ignorant and overlooked it. I don't know that the outcome would have been different had we had some treatments right away, but it sure would have given our girls a much better chance.

 

I go in every 2 weeks - and switch each time - one is a vaginal ultrasound where they measure just the cervical length and the other is a regular "fun" ultrasound.

 

Starting at 14 weeks, I got them once a month (or that was the plan). Then I started seeing a peri at 25 weeks and he just did them in his office every other week or so. They were a lot less detailed when he did them. I was also in the hospital from 28-32 weeks and they did them every 8-10 days or so. Those were extra extra detailed!

 

My OB was very cautious..I went every week starting at about 16 or 20 weeks, can't remember. I had growth US's every 4 weeks, and then every other week starting at 30 weeks, and BPP's every week starting at 30 weeks I think.

 

my OB told me Monday that i will go one more month since i have had no problems so far and then i will go every 2 weeks and have 1 ultra sound per month. and i am not claiming anything to change--lol. up until now i have been seen 5 times by my OB and had 2 ultra sounds. every thing is well here.
lots of love!
meshell

 

I had monthly u/s's with measurements until about 28 weeks. Then I started having u/s's and checking my cervix length every 2 weeks, but the doc only did measurements every other visit. I just started having weekly appts at 35 weeks and I'm not sure yet if they will do measurements every time now.

 

My situation will be different from yours since I have a shortened cervix and am on bedrest, but I started out the pregnancy going to my OB once a month for regular check ups, and my peri once a month for growth ultrasounds. Now, I go to my OB every week for a progesterone shot, and my peri once a week for cervical length ultrasound checks ontop of the regular check ups and growth u/s.
I'm not complaining though, I look forward to my one day a week out of bed and in the fresh air... if only for a short time.