Ultrasound Stress

I think you have to calculate the total cost of the trip. If it comes in significantly under $500, I'd do it, personally. That could be a lot of money and if you feel it's more convenient, that has value in itself.

I had my 20 week ultrasound done at a doctors office recommended from my midwives. Equipment is no substitute for skill, and he was good. If you felt satisfied with the care you received the last times you went to the previous OB for the last two pregnancies, I'd say go for it.

I'd do it.

Are you in a new city only or also a new state?

In Texas, only ultrasound techs can perform ultrasounds on pregnant women past 15 weeks. Some OBs in Texas employ an ultrasound tech and do them in-office. Mine doesn't, which means I go to the hospital to have it done.

What hospital are you having it done at? At Sugar Land Methodist I had to pay the whole thing (in theory - when I left the appointment, I wasn't advised to go anywhere to pay... they ended up just billing me) and it was supposed to run about $300. Though, I guess insurance discounts would affect the final price, too.

In any case, as I said before, I'd absolutely have it done at your previous OB's and have the results sent to your new one.

What tests are you talking about, measurements? Fluid capacity? the new OB may not be comfortable enough with doing these himself. Or have the correct Ultrasound tech to perform them correctly. I would say if its cheap and you trust the older one, then go ahead and go there. If not there no reason not to wait till Jan. Unless there are some sort of concerns from the OB. I moved in the middle of a pregnancy and had to switch OB's at 15 weeks. The new one wanted me to go BACK through the genetic testing again. NO way that was like 800 bucks, and was requesting I had an amnio. I was 34. I have no history of Down Syndrome in my family or anything for that matter. However he was basically boiling it down to, I HAD to do it or I wouldnt be considered a good mother. HUH? Well I changed him again to my third OB who was more understanding and helped me understand. Its my baby, my body, my money, my choice. I went minimalist and had a perfectly normal baby and delivery. So its really is your choice how much you want to spend and where. NOT crazy in the least. Do what you feel is correct.

I would consider skipping the ultrasound altogether, especially if it's just "routine" and you have no real need for one.

http://www.squidoo.com/noultrasound

It's your choice. This baby will be born whether you ever have an ultrasound or not.

Have you asked your current OB what their reasoning is for having this done at the hospital? Would you be getting more screening done than you had in your previous pregnancies? Is there any reason to be concerned about this pregnancy?

I would have the test done at the hospital. Maybe your doctor doesn't have the right equipment. My son's heart defects were discovered during our 20 week u/s appt. He probably would not have survived if they were not discovered before birth (he needed immediate life-saving help at birth). So, have the test done right--even if you have to wait 2 weeks.

If its the standard 20 week fetal scan, it might just be your OB's equipment in his office isn't qualified to do the test, also in my experience 2 different Ob's and a maternal specialist they all had a technician do the test. I think they are more experienced and advanced in doing that scan, and some OB's just aren't as experienced in completing 'the big' scan.

I had my first done at a hospitals outpatient center and the cost was slightly less than the actual hospital ultrasounds, then I had another scan done at the specialist and even with the equipment in the office they had their technician come in and do it, and it was considerably cheaper than the hospital's. Here in a larger city they have tons of non hospital affiliated radiology places and obviously the cost is way cheaper without that hospital overhead.

I'd say if you don't want to deal with your current OB's office then go ahead and just drive and pay the $150 and go where you are comfortable, or call and just ask your current ob's office for a referral somewhere else and tell them you can't afford the hospital cost--see what they tell ya!

You should ask the new OB's reasons for sending you to the hospital. I'm inclined to agree with you -and only pay the $150, but are you supposed to go to the hospital ultrasound lab for a quad screening or bladder reflux or something like that? My OB did all of my ultrasounds, including my amnio, in the office, but with my first pregnancy I had the quad screen -and was sent to the hospital for that one, and in the second pregnancy the baby had bladder reflux, so I was always sent to the hospital for ultrasounds due to that. Find out if there's any special reason they want you to do it in the hospital with those machines and technicians.

It sounds like your new OB does not have an ultrasound tech/the expertise to perform the 20 week ultrasound. This ultrasound is a more complete scan of the babies anatomy. During the 8 week visit he was making sure that the fetus was in the uterus. That is likely why he can't do it with the machine you have seen in the office.

It sounds like your old OB or the hospital ultrasound are able to do a 20 week scan. Theoretically they should be equivalent. I personally would go to the one with more experience. The main consideration would be how far along you will be if you wait until the new year. You could discuss the delay and its effects with your OB. Generally they like the scan to be completed before +/- 22 weeks.

I would make sure that I got the scan done.
Good luck!

Unless you're considered high risk or there is medical need for a fancy US, I would pay the $150 and get it done at you old OB's office.

Personally I think that this is part of what's wrong with our healthcare system, it just sucks how some doctors send you to get these expensive medical tests that are totally uncalled for unless there is a medical reason for it. No one should be advised to have a fancy $500 diagnostic US without a medical reason! Talk about overkill!