Inititally when we weighed it up we decided to only have the 20 w ultrasound. We decided to decline the 12 w on the basis that we wouldn't terminate anyway, so it seemed of no great value to us, and we weren't interested in 3d/4d u/s. So I was supposed to have only the one u/s.

However, I had bleeding until 9 weeks so was referred for a u/s to check viability. Then at 12 w I had such bad pains that I ended up in the ER and I had a quick u/s there - mostly to check that my left ovary wasn't twisted as they thought that might have been causing the pain. Finally, at the 20 w ultrasound the growth was off the bottom of the chart so I was referred for a level 2 u/s to confirm growth and try to rule out acondroplasia (dwarfism). The growth was fine.

So despite my best intentions I've ended up with 4 ultrasounds - 2 very quick ones and 2 hour-long ones. I also get dopplared each time I see the midwife to check for heatbeat and as far as I know its similar technology. I'm not 100% happy about how its played out but what can you do? I wouldn't have been happy if they wanted to do a u/s at every visit which I know some OB's do.

Next time I think I'll go in with similar intentions - a single 20 w u/s - and go from there.

Anyway, I don't think its a big deal if someone declines the u/s. as long as there is some sort of medical care throughout the pregnancy, ie, midwife visits, etc. If all medical care was being declined I'd be a little concerned.