Why do they have such early scans in America?

Question

Im a little jealous. I get a 'booking appointment' at 8 weeks just to get all of my info with the midwife. But no scan till 12 weeks. Why do Americans do scans so early?

Answer

In Canada the society of obstetrics and gynecologist has recently said a dating scan after 7 weeks is a good idea.  Many woman are unsure of their dates or have irregular cycles so lmp isn't great at dating pregnancies.  They say it should reduce the # of labour inductions done for post dates.  Of course you also confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus and how many babies are there.  Also of you have blood work done to screen for chromosome problems like Down syndrome it is very important to have accurate dates for the screen result to be valid.  I had my first ultrasound today measuring 8w4d.  I'll have another in the next 3-5 weeks to screen for Down syndrome and then another at 18-20 weeks to check out all baby's anatomy.

Answer

I think if you show up pregnant on a pee test they schedule you for a conformation ultra sound to actually see how far along you are. I got a vaginal ultra sound at 6 weeks to see how far I actually was. I also have private health insurance but I know if you have state insurance they still do that to confirm your pregnant. I'm from the us and I love that my doctor does that. My first Obgyn did the same thing.

Answer

Im in the US and my doctor does not see you until 8 weeks unless you have a problem.  It's been a long 7 weeks...only a few more days until I find out if everything is ok!

Answer

It's because Americans pay for there health care. Us British Ladies get the NHS. I know we pay it through are taxes. But can you imagine the cost it would cause the NHS if we was scanned  earlier and then again at 12 weeks. The NHS choose 12 weeks as this is more a clear picture. You can go private and get an early scan by walk by private clinics. Think you have to google sone in your local area. Or what my friend did to get an early scan was to stay she didn't know when her last period was as her cycle was messed up. So she got an early scan.

Answer

Here we get scans at 4 weeks lol vaginal scans then 2 weeks later ultra sound,I have no idea why though

Answer

I had my first dating scan at 6 weeks here in Australia :) very tiny

Answer

I'm in canada. I have my second ultra sound today at 8 weeks 1 day

Answer

My doctor waits until 12 weeks and I'm from the US. However if you've had previous complications she'll do it earlier. I had a miscarriage last year and she saw me at 6 weeks this time.

Answer

I personally think they do it just to give us some pease of mind, pregnancy can be so scary! The office I go to is a midwifes office and they only typically do one ultra sound at 20 weeks. I did get one at 8 but that was because I had been so stressed an busy I didn't know when my last period was.

Answer

It may just depend on past complications, or if a woman is not sure exactly how far along she is, or her doctor  may just like to do them early! I personally didn't get mine done till I was 8wks 3days! :) Good Luck!!!

Why do they have such early scans in America?

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