u/s if you had your time again..would you?

Maz, I had no idea about your history and your kidlets - what an amazing woman and mum you are :hug:

When we received the all clear after DD's 20wk scan, we left the hospital and the inevitable discussion began - next time, would we do it again?

For us, the answer was never really anything but "yes". I think the benefits far outweigh the potential stress - and speaking as somoene who has been thru much, much, much unnecessary stress, I think I am justified in making that call! :)

There are two ministers at my church who recently chose not to have their 12wk scan, just the morphology scan, because they would never terminate. And that is their choice, just like it is the choice of every couple who concieve a baby.

I had quite a few u/s with DS as they were concerned about his size. It caused unnecessary stress (they thought he was small, he was born at 8lb 15oz) and so with this PG i think i will only be having the 20 week scan. I am sure of my dates but will need to talk further with DH about the NT scan, as he may feel differently, but i'd be happy no to have that one either.

Just have to speak from a midwives point of view. I know this was more aimed at dating scans and nuchal translucency scans etc but if a woman came in labouring and hadn't had a scan thats the first thing we would do to ensure the placenta was in a safe spot for delivery. I think its very fortunate we live in times where this is an option as it does save lives. I personally know of several people who had undiagnosed placenta previa's two who died (with the baby of course) and all the others also lost their babies. This was prior to routine ultrasounds. They are all elderly now except my aunty (48) who had a stillborn DD 16years ago prior to routine scans. She presented as normal in labour with her 3rd baby and was labouring well until she had a massive bleed very suddenly. She had an emergency C/S but it was too late to save her bub.

I can see how early scans are not neccessary and alot inbetween but I would be concerned about a woman who presented with no scans the entire pregnancy. Yeah most of the time it would be fine and a healthy baby would be delivered but what about the others which wouldn't be? And some conditions in babies that have paeds at delivery, surgery ready etc knowing bub has a problem that can be treated? It is horrible to be in that position as a mother or health professional at delivery when a potentially treatable condition was undiagnosed and a baby/mother was lost or left with a disability as the cause wasn't known. I have been in that position and its not nice. Then usually there is an inquest into how it happened. Interesting thread!

Yep.
Jayvan had died 2 weeks prior to us actually finding out, so ultrasounds thru jacksons pregnancy kept me sane, to know he was still alive and kicking! After he starting moving around tho and I could tell on my own he was OK I started to get a bit sick of them - a years worth of being poked and prodded is enough for me!

Maz I am with you, I dont think I would... I am in the healthy age breaket, there is no family history, and at the end of the day after all the tests they can only give you a 1 in 49 chance of something been wrong, so for me all it would do is couse a HUGE agreument beltween BHL and I if the tests came back with a chance there was something wrong with our child... As a doctor once put it too me, you wouldnt bet your house on a horse that is has a 1 in 49 chance of winning would you...

Every child of ours is much wanted and love already, I would just wait for the 19week scan, even though it is lovely to see them as much as you can, it still doesnt stop the worry ( well doesnt for me ) the only thing that stops my worry is when they are saftly in my arms, the I move on the the next set of worries lol...

Mildez, interesting post, thanks for that different perspective.

I think I may just get the 20 week scan next time, one is enough, and only because I'd want to *see* the baby, and so they can see if he or she is developing okay. Termination would never be considered for us, no matter what was worng with the lo I guess its just nice to have something to look forward to midway of the pregnancy.

Those of you who have said termination would never be a consideration...have you been in a circumstance were it was an option for health reasons?

No amount of research (in my opinion) can prepare you for what lays ahead with a child with special needs, its something that you learn whilst living it as every child is entirely different.

Mildez - I dont think that is the case at every hospital eg u/s before birth as Ive personally know of girls who havent had one and gone in to have a hospital birth with no u/s.

What about those who home birth and dont have u/s the entire pg?

I wonder if we depend to much on the technology available today for our pg's then to be able to tune into our own bodies and learn to listen to them? How ever did our mothers and for mothers cope?

I knew I was m/c the pg before I concieved Tank. I told the doctor I was and it wasnt 'confirmed' until they insisted I do an u/s, when we found out that we had actually m/c twins. I handled knowing I was m/c at that stage until then. Its something I sometimes wish I hadnt have know. KWIM.

For me i LOVE the scans not to find out anything in particular but just to see my little one jumping around on the screen.

With DD i only had one scan and that was the morphology scan, i felt a bit jibbed as most people were having alot of them throughout there pregnancies. Oh hang on i lie i also had the 3D scan done just so i could peek again ;)

With DS i had 4 scans throughout and another 3D scan and i LOVED everyone of them :) For me it was purely so i could see my babies moving around in there and that they were doing alright. If one of the scans came back with an abnormality we would have just delt with it as best we could.

I guess im a fence sitter on this one as well if you dont want to have scans then thats your choice...i dont understand it simply because i wanna see my baby in there :lol:

Each to there own :D

Termination would never be considered for religious reasons, but no I have never been in that situation, and nor would I want to. I beleive that a child is human as soon as he/she is created, not just a 'fetus' so to ruin a human life imo would be like murder.
But again, it would be devastating to hear that your child will not have a 'normal' life. It just would not come to termination for us. But thats just MY opinion.

I think Suga has summed it up well when she has said its a wonderful diagnostic tool which it is.

Obviously a dating scan is done to see the expected EDD so if an induction is neccessary for what ever reason or preterm labour you know the correct gestation of the baby. Although I must say this can be limited as women do bake their babies differently and my 36week baby was able to cope outside well where as another might not.

A 12-13week scan is generally done for the nuchal scan again another diagnostic tool to check for some abnormalities. It does given families the option to terminate if they want if a problem is identified. How many children do you see with downs syndrome these days? Not many compared to 50years ago or even 20years for that matter.

18week scan is obviously done to check the baby and placenta etc and identifies alot of abnormalities if any (although not all) basically to check the future wellbeing of both mum and bub.

Again growth scans further along also have their place in diagnosing IUGR, placental insufficency etc and a desision for early C/S or induction maybe neccessary to reduce the risk of fetal dimise in utero which these babies are at risk of. As well as scans to again check the placenta, fetal movement and any causes for reduced movements etc. A friend of mine had an emergency c/s at 32weeks due to IUGR Bub was only 800grams. Which is the size you would expect at 25-26weeks.

I think when offered alot of people jump at the opportunity or request them knowing they will see the baby again and forget they are there for diagnostic reasons not for maternal requests. I personally will probably take all the scans for diagnostic reasons. I want to know if my baby isn't growing accordingly, if there is a placental problem or other problem identified etc. I say bring on the scans for me and at the same time pray that all they find is a healthy looking mum and bub. And of course I do love a picture to take home if possible and not a nasty sonographer.

I had a dating scan and the morphology scan. Every time my doctor has asked me how I would feel about Down Sydrome and because I would continue my pregnancy regardless, he has recommended not getting the 12 week scan because it is just stastics and can be very stressful and turn out to be nothing.

I am torn about the dating scan. If I were to have another baby, I think I would skip it because I think it is always wrong. The due date the dating scan gave me for DD2 at 6 weeks meant that the BFP I got was on 3 DPO and I am sure that's not right. But because I was still BFing for part of that cycle, if I didn't have a dating scan they would have gone for a date about 6 weeks earlier and they all look at me like I have 6 heads if I say that I know when my baby is due because I know when I ovulated. A lot of the doctors and obs that I have seen while pg seem to think that a woman understanding her own fertility is science fiction ... grrr, very frustrating. Sorry, little vent there :)

In all my pg, I have had 2 morphology scans as my babies don't hold still enough for them to get all the details they need but I have never found the second one stressful but I really don't enjoy them. Lying there on a table with a full bladder for upwards of 40 mins is not my idea of fun. I also have never had a great view of the monitor and actually find them a pain more than anything. Having to organise someone to look after my older kids, waiting for ages and then having to go back a few hours later and pick up the file, it is all just a PITA if you ask me.

Probably didn't help that after I got GD in my last 2 pg, I was having scans every second week and every week towards the end. The baby is too big to see much of it on the screen at a time, biased sonographers measure my babies as extremely large and then I get lectures from doctors about my 'oversized' babies.

I do agree that they are a great diagnostic tool in a way, but the information is not always correct. I had my DS induced at 38 weeks because of his overly 'large' size, but he was born weighing 3.8kg (which is not that big if you ask me) but I went through hell being induced because the u/s showed him in the 97th percentile and the doctors stressed off their nut at me about his size.

It amazes me how much they rely on the information in ultrasounds when they know they are not always correct especially about size. It would be okay if they treated it like a guide, but they don't. They treat it as gospel and sometimes too much info just causes more problems than it solves.

So Maz, in answer to your question, I would probably have the 20w scan just to check everything was going okay and avoid all the others as much as possible.

I would love to not have to have so many U/S.....

With DD I had an early dating scan as the MW couldn't find her HB for more than one or two beats, another scan at 9 weeks when I had a bleed, 12 weeks scan, and then at most appointments due to bleeding, 20 week scan, amniotic band, ensureing clear movement for bubs, polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid). We had alread chosen to have the 3D scan, which was amazing, at 29 weeks and we got brilliant photos due to the polyhydramnios.

This pregnancy I was really hoping for a smoother run, I was only planning having the 12 and 20 weeks scans, but I have had so many already and so many more booked in :(

At 15 weeks I have already had 9 scans, due to loss of twin, bleeding, cervical shortening and length being constantly monitored as I am already "primed" :(, Placenta location, NT scan and Prolapse. I am booked in for scans 3 more scans by 24 weeks, and if there are any changes to my cervical length and any indication of growth restriction, there will be many more. Unfortuntaly even though this is not what I would prefer, but to make this pregnancy last as long as possible and keep bubs as safe as possible it is the only way.

So for us it is trying to prevent PTL or risking the life of our bubba.

So even though my preference would be to just go with the 12 and 20 week scans, it isn't an option this time unless we want to put our bub at risk, just too many complications :shakehead:

I did with both and i would do it again.

With DD1 i had bleeding throughout early pregnancy and it was reassurance but amongst all else i found it a wonderful bonding experience, i framed my girls u/s pics for my DP's fathers day presents saying "see you soon daddy" and would often just lay there and stare at them.

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Those of you who have said termination would never be a consideration...have you been in a circumstance were it was an option for health reasons?

No amount of research (in my opinion) can prepare you for what lays ahead with a child with special needs, its something that you learn whilst living it as every child is entirely different.

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Maz, the only way i would have a termination would be for a child with anomalies incompatible with life. in other words, a child that would not be able to live on their own (child developing with no cerebrum etc) - for something like Downs, no, not an option.

i personally haven't lived what you are living now, so please don't think i'm trying to negate ANYTHING you are going through - i just personally don't feel that it would make that much difference to me. it's not a religious stand point - it is simply how i feel. i have been raised with family with special needs, been involved in the local developmental schools, mum was the carer of choice (FDC) for kids with special needs. i've seen children with mild issues, to those with very major (unable to communicate, unable to eat on their own). yes, my life would be a hell of a lot different, but i would alter, or even give up, the life i have now for a child with special needs

being able to prepare would make it easier - but as you know, it's often not possible. no matter how many scans and tests you have, you can't diagnose a child on the spectrum before birth. there are no markers on a scan. you can't prepare for that as a parent. yes, you knew there was increased chance after W if you had another son, but there was no way to know. the same with Tank. from what i know of CP, there is no way to diagnose it until after birth.

i dont' hold anything against anyone who makes a decision to not go forth with a pregnancy where DS or similar has been confirmed - it's not something that is easy to face, and there is a lot to take into consideration. Each to their own - i just know for me, i've grown up around adults and children with Downs and similar - it doesn't enter my mind kwim?

Maz I am mearly saying where I work someone that presents in labour with nil scans have a quick scan to check placental position upon arriving. This is very rare maybe once a year as almost everyone has one scan at some stage. Most of the midwives can operate the mobile ultrasound and see where the placenta is most of the time or simply that its not obstructing the internal os, find the HB and position of the baby. In saying this the only people I have seen not have a scan have also not had any antenatal care.

I myself have been in the position where I was strongly advised to terminate. I was 6weeks and I couldn't terminate without knowing for sure my baby was affected ( I was on multiple medications for a neuro problem and arthritis as well as birth control and three of these medications were known to cause terotegenic effects) if my baby was found to have an abnormality then I might of terminated later on in the pregnancy. As it was my DD did have problems but they were not as severe as we were expecting.

Not sure if the message was intended for me but I didn't say I would not terminate. I myself could see myself terminated for an abnormality such as DS although very unlikely to for a condition that was incompatible with life but thats just me and I have reasons although they are too long and numerous to mention here. I have been in this position (not DS but terotegenic effects) and I seriously considered it. Never again will I feel that I would never do it as I know there was a real possibility of that happening regardless of who you are and what you believe in. Midwifery has taught me that. A mothers love for her child is that great that they want whats best for them and unfortunately sometimes that is to go to heaven away from the pain or suffering that they would have from a life on Earth however short or long that maybe.

Just read my post it may sound like I am talking about DS as I used that as an example. I think DS people are one of the happiest people I have seen but I didn't mean. I was thinking of conditions like polycystic Kidneys etc where the baby only has a few months/years of life full of medical procedures, dialysis, surgeries, unable to go home and alot of pain. Who would want there child to suffer like that only to pass away at 1 or 2years of age if not younger? As hard as the choice would be to end the pregnancy at say 20weeks it would break my heart over and over again to not beable to take the pain from your child until death takes them. There are many reasons people end a pregnancy and sadly they are not all for maternal request.

Just read my post it may sound like I am talking about DS as I used that as an example. I think DS people are one of the happiest people I have seen but I didn't mean. I was thinking of conditions like polycystic Kidneys etc where the baby only has a few months/years of life full of medical procedures, dialysis, surgeries, unable to go home and alot of pain. Who would want there child to suffer like that only to pass away at 1 or 2years of age if not younger? As hard as the choice would be to end the pregnancy at say 20weeks it would break my heart over and over again to not beable to take the pain from your child until death takes them. There are many reasons people end a pregnancy and sadly they are not all for maternal request.

Sorry if anyone thinks my 'messages' are directed at any person inparticular..they weren't. Im only trying to have a 'conversation' about the matter and maybe help those who are in 2 minds in having a scan or not. maybe allowing them to see both sides and help guide them in their decission.

If my points were to be directed at someone, id start the sentence with that persons name ;). So please if you read something I have posted....dont take it upon yourself to think its personally for you. :hug:

Maybe my old age is coming through and my own personal regrets in the pre birth treatment we had. I know its unchangeable and something I will have to live with now.

I truely find it fasinating that we have such vast views on the topic and its healthy to be able to chat freely about the subject. I read so much about free birth, home birth, breast feeding, I just find it fasinating whilst some are against 'medical' help during birth that some seek it before hand IFYKWIM

Like BG, if our baby could not live a good life (I know people with downs and others with intellectual disabilities, one is a very close friend and they live a great life :D) then I would consider termination I guess. It would be a hard decision, and I guess we would consider the circumstances and REALLY do our research, because as people have pointed out, you can be advised to terminate, and choose to continue the pg, only to find out that baby was either fine or not as affected as the docs said. But then on the other hand, it might be.

:think: very thought provocing Maz.

I had just a morph scan with Natty. With Phoebe I had a 'dating' scan and the morph. If I were to have another kid I'd just go with the morph scan.
Even though I'm into natural birth and have aimed for as natural a birth as I could manage both times, I still think a level of medical care is part of responsible parenting. I am not comfortable with free birth, and I don't think I'd be comfortable without the morph scan.
I agree in that I don't think anything can prepare you to look after a kid with special needs. However I would want to have that scan in order to find out if my kid had an issue that'd require surgery. At both my morph scans we have had the heart looked at very closely as our family has a history of congenital heart defects.
So while I personally don't feel the scan is necessary to prepare me for any physical or mental disabilities (as I just don't think I could prepare myself for that eventuality) I would want to know if my baby would require urgent surgical intervention because we have increased likelihood of that and I'd want it without delay.

I have never had to have a dating scan, with dd1 I was spotting so we avoided scans if possible. Have done the same with the other two. Had to come back a second time for a the heart tests last time as dd2 didn't behave.

It's been reassuring to have the scans this time as bubs isn't very active but I wouldn't seek extra scans.

For me, u/s are about comparing different types of fear. On the one hand, I am not convinced they are safe and research has shown changes to brain function from u/s use. So I'd really like to avoid u/s if I can. I'm not even a fan of doppler checking and once I started feeling bub move, then I told the midwife I don't want it.

On the other hand, I weigh up the anxiety of losing another baby or having a definate problem with bub. This time, we had a scan at 6wks due to spotting, which I was 2 minds of (having been through that before and bub dying later on anyway). I didn't look at the screen and just wanted assurance this bub had a heartbeat and was in the uterus.

Due to my age, I agreed to the 12wk screening scan, though I'm not sure whether I'd do that again or just go straight to an amnio, which gives an actual diagnosis. I found the process very stressful and still don't get a 100% assurance everything is OK.

With the 20wk scan, that's also fear based for me. 1) to check bub is still alive, 2) to check bub is developing properly and 3) to check the position of the placenta & check cervix. I think it's too early to check for vasa praevia, but i asked the OB to do it anyway.

So would I do it again? Due to my age, the 12 wk screen or amnio, yes and probably the 20wk check as well. I don't see the point of earlier scans and from what I understand, later scans are highly inaccurate. I'm hoping not to have another one this pregnancy.

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I would.

For me it was part of the bonding experience.

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i totally agree with Tinks, i loved having U/Ss it was a bonding experience for me and the baby as well as my partner and our child. the more ultrasounds ther better as it keeps u informed on how well ur baby is doing or if there is any propblems

No way would I have any ultrasounds done in subsequent pregnancies. What I know now about the dangers and undue stress that they can cause I wouldn't risk it. And as a morph or NT scan wouldn't change anything I don't feel a need to know before the birth.

I don't feel as if I need to invade on the womb to bond or see my baby. If I was meant to my belly would have a window.

I would also would only consent to a pinard as the doppler is 10x stronger then a ultrasound so = more harm to my unborn baby.

Id love to see the articles claiming the dangers of ultrasounds and changes in brain function........

There has NEVER been a credible study that concluded that there are dangers and undue stress with ultrasound. The ONLY thing that has been shown to be of some concern is the potential for cells to heat to a potentially dangerous level if an ultrasound beam is focused in one area for too long. Yes there are a few outrageous claims out there, but none proven.

I would have had about 30 ultrasounds with DD1, and just the regular ones with DD2. Both are perfectly fine. I would definitely have an U/S with the next pregnancy. Sure sometimes things are missed or concern is caused unduly. But that is the nature of ultrasound. One particular thing seen CAN INDICATE that there MAY be an issue, it's not 100% but generally worth investigating. Yes this can sometimes cause undue stress and i understand some people may want to avoid that. If my baby had a life threatening defect that needed a team of paeds on standby for the birth then i'd certainly rather be prepared for that situation.

I totally respect womens' decisions not to have ultrasounds if that is what they choose, but i don't believe fueling the wild claims that they are dangerous is helpful though.

My OB had an interesting perspective on size scans which I understand can be done later in the pregnancy at around 34 weeks. Her view was that big babies can absolutely be delivered vaginally but when women get told their baby is 'big' it can mess with their heads. Also, with the margin of error it can be completely wrong anyway.

For this pregnancy I had a dating scan as my cycles are all over the place so I had no idea how far along I was, I had the 12 weeks and 20 weeks. Next time I'll probably have the same again unless there are specific medical reasons.

I am in two minds.

I loved the 12 wk dating scan and did feel it helped with bonding, but I then found the 20 week scan a bit of overkill even though it was the morph scan. It was useful to 'know' things were ok but I actually had complete confidence they were anyway.

I think it is problematic that so much of pg is managed by outsiders. There is a reason we cannot see into our wombs. I think the babys space should be respected and womens intuition fostered.

So in answer. I think I will get the 20wk morph scan, because I want to make sure I can birth at home- meaning I know the placental position and any possible complications before the labour.

Id prefer not to have them.
With both my kids I had to have earlier scans than I'd have liked - DS1 @ 11 weeks for threatened miscarriage, DS2 - dating scan @ 6 weeks and a scan at 15 weeks becuase the OB registrar who did my hospital bookng in check couldnt find the heartbeat with a doppler.

If I was going o ahve any more children I think Id opt to only have the morph scan.

Yes i had u/s with all pregnancies (last one was on Friday) and yes I would do it all over again.....without hesitation! :p My reasons....because I wanted too!

xxxx

I have been reading this thread and thinking about it a lot. What I really hate about the scans is their inability to give a concrete answer most of the time. You are left with worry because there is a chance of "XYZ". I chose with DD only to have the 20wk scan and we narrowly avoided a late scan at around 36wks as she was measuring large. I really could have done without the thought that she was big, and the inaccuracy of a scan at that time wouldn't have eased my mind at all, and intervention was all that I could see coming from it.

This time I am going to do the same. Although should something else be picked up I'll be guided by how I feel at the time. I'd like to minimise the number of ultrasounds, too. I know there may not be definitive studies either way, but just using technology to "go in for a look" doesn't sit well with me.

As for termination, without the scans I wouldn't terminate, and although knowledge does affect how I would make a decision, it would need to be a fairly concrete diagnosis for me to decide prior to birth that that was an appropriate action. I don't believe it should be in my hands to take a life away that is still growing.

Maz, i am one who is in 2 minds with DS i had one at 6 weeks as i had NO idea how far along i was and then one at 12 weeks as i was very concerned as i had no idea i was pregnant and when i was (after working it out) 3 weeks preg i had the cervical cancer vaccine so i was very worried had the nuchal scan and all my scans came back as having a healthy baby at 20 weeks i found out he was a healthy baby boy.

well to my surprise i went into labour at 39+2 and he was 10 pounds and at day 3 we found out he had Down syndrome (for those who are usnure Americans put the "s" at the end of Downs and we also dont like the word Downs used, not trying to start another arguement just educating, sorry if it sounds rude)

so as for our next pregnancy we would apparently HAVE to have the scans but we have choosen NOT to, we will have the 20 week scan to see what sex (as DH wants another boy i want a girl) lol. but to us they seem pointless as they couldn properly pick anything up last time so who is to say they would next time round??

and for anyone who thinks there age puts them in a "safe" barrier your WRONG!! i was 19 when i had my son and since having him and meeting other ppl im by far not the only 1.

I can't say that i can respond from the i'f I had my time again' point of view but I know the Ultra Sounds that I've had have been a huge help in allowing me to relax and 'enjoy' the pregnancy :) After having losses I can honestly say that I would be stressed to the max right to this day if I hadn't had positive U/S. So even if anything was to go pear shaped (touch wood) I really appreciate the joy and excitement I have been able to feel from the reassurance.

Absolutely. Not just to see my babies but for medical reasons. With my next pregnancy i have to have additional scans due to recent surgery to try and prevent, if the case may be, premature labour. As for termination, yes i would if it was picked up early enough and would effect my other 2 children's lives.

With Ds1 I had 3 US's Ds2 I had 6 DS3 I had 6 and DD I had 7

Reasoin for so many was I had GD and after Ds1 I has losses so for me it was peace of mind to know baby was ok,..

I wouldn't change how many I had as I know how much better I felt after each scan knowing thinkgs were going along just fine

I had 5 u/s scans with DS. First was to "date" me (but they ignored everything I said and the scan), second was a 12w scan that DH wanted, 3rd and 4th were the 20w scans as the first was too early (well d'oh, I have 6w cycles not 4w ones, wonder why you want me back in a fortnight) and 5th was at about 30w because bump was "too small".

Next time, I'm not having any scans. Because I'm not telling anyone I'm pg, so I won't have the chance. I would like scans for no reason and people not knowing I am pg! I loved seeing my baby and knew he was fine, so the scans had no medical meaning for me. Although the amount of rude medical people who saw me whilst pg meant that the scans were the only medical things I looked forward to - that and seeing my GP. I booked in with her more than the midwives because I get on with her! But even she is against me actually giving birth so she isn't going to know I'm pg until I tell her I've had a baby. (Going to be fun as I see her and a midwife socially at least once a month.)

I would have as many ultrasounds as I feel I (and the docs) need next time. After loss and an extremely stressful pregnancy, I can honestly say it was only the week- fortnightly scans that kept me from falling off the cliff! My Hubby and I had decided we were not going to have the 12 week nuchal scan ( well we wanted a scan but not to check for anything we just wanted to see the baby) but at 9 weeks - at my Obs office where I was having an early scan after being stressed as I'd had a miscarriage a few months before it was discovered my DD had high nuchal fluid as well as possible fluid throughout her whole body. We had a follow up high resolution scan the following day which confirmed their and our fears of trisomy 13 and 18.
It wasn't like the Ob could just ignore it, even though we had said we had decided not to have the 12 week nuchal scan. So then we had to decide whether to have the cvs or not.
If you haven't had a child with a high risk preg and been faced with a possible medical termination then it is easy to say you wouldn't have a scan to decide whether to terminate or not. We were SURE we would keep out baby no matter what but faced with a possible non viable baby, you just have no idea what you will think and how you will react in those circumstances.
DD was monitored closely the whole pregnancy ( we also had the CVS as I could not face the whole pregnancy "not knowing" though still did not fully relax) and I felt like it was the only control I had over the pregnancy and if we were going to lose her at least I got to get to know her through the scans.) She was born healthy and happy last year!

So I know I went a bit off track but my final answer is YES, I would have ultrasounds next time ( but obviously not as many as it hopefully won't be high risk like last time). They were hat carried me through my pregnancy and gave me (some) reassurance. :)

I absolutely would. I've never had a dating scan as i've known dates of my cycles but i've had 12 week (with DS2 had a 10 week scan as i was really sick and had slight bleeding that freaked me out) and 20 week scans with both my boys and intend to with this bubba.

The 12 week scan especially is a huge hurdle that i feel much relief to make it to and past. With the MS and the hormone mix in me i need that scan for reasurance as my mind is all over the place. It's a very nervous time for me which i do not enjoy.

By the 20 week scan things have been better, no MS and i have movement as reasurance but i'd still have that scan to have all things checked. Good or not so good news i'd want to know.

That's just my feelings :)

Nope i wouldnt do it again. I think the minimal the better. ALL of my scans have left me worried, for some reason or another. I agree with the 20week scan cause its nice to see bubs. And i guess i agree with early ones if needed, eg i have had an ectopic so had to have an early one this time.... Its a hard question but i can see why you thought that your SIL had a lot of strength!

Yes. I am a person who works better when I can base my thoughts and plans on information and fore warning, and obviously ultrasounds give you that. Also I am not a nervy kind of person, I don't get spooked easily so I would say I am less concerned about the stress it may cause.