New here and question about requesting an ultrasound...

[sandandsun]

Hi, everyone! I'm new to the second trimester forum and looking forward to joining the conversation. I'm 14 weeks today!

I'm seeing my OB tomorrow and wanted some input from you ladies.

One thing my husband and I are worried about is our baby having a cleft lip due to a medication exposure in early pregnancy. The doctor told us our risk is very small, but we can't help but wonder. At my 12-week ultrasound, the ultrasound tech told us that he could likely see a cleft lip around 15 weeks! Of course, my next ultrasound isn't until around the 20-week mark. I think about it all the time, and if we could know several weeks earlier, I would feel better (if it's good news, I can relax; if our baby does have a cleft, I'd rather know to start planning and preparing and stop the wondering).

Is it possible to ask my OB to request an ultrasound for this reason? Or do you think she'll basically tell me to wait until my 18-20 week scan?

I would just really like to know next week if possible (I'm a worrier), rather than waiting around yet another 4-5 weeks.... thoughts?

 

[Spiffynoodles]

I think most OBs would probably tell you to just wait, since everything is easier to see at the big 20 week ultrasound. However, if its really important to you to know next week, you can always pay for a private scan.

 

[NatalieFar07]

I agree with the above poster, although of course no harm in asking!

 

[emeeorevan]

If you are in the UK, then from what I've heard you will most likely have to wait, but ask/listen to those UK ladies. If you are in the states, most OB will do an extra ultrasound to ease your mind, however keep in mind it still may not be that visible unless it is a 3D ultrasound. I never trust the techs cause you don't really know how accurate they are (some I'm sure are great but others act like they know everything but have only been a tech for a very short period of time) my OBGYN or his Physicians assistant is the only person who has performed all three of my ultrasounds. (also had the same OB and PA for all three babies) best of luck and praying for some reassurance for you.

 

[sandandsun]

Thanks, everyone. I have a feeling my doc will just say "wait until the 20-week scan," but like Natalie said, it really can't hurt to ask! I'm just a worrier and knowing (or having reassurance that everything is fine) would make me feel better. I'm totally open to paying for a private scan, so hopefully that would be a second option!

BTW, I am in the US. My doc knows how worried I am, so maybe she will request one...*fingers crossed*

 

[petitpas]

I had the same worry with my son as I have to take steroids during the first trimester. They couldn't really see until the 20 week scan and even then they said they couldn't rule it out for sure. Ultimately, I knew the risk I was taking and to be honest, a cleft lip or palate is not the end of the world. It isn't an emergency at birth, either (compared to a heart defect, for example). I do understand your worry but please know that you might need to prepare yourself to find out at birth as I understand it is a tricky thing to see on an ultrasound, especially if it is a mild case.
It is always worth asking for a scan to see your bubba, though

Good luck with everything!
PS: I completely forgot to ask in this pregnancy (again took steroids), so thanks for reminding me

 

[sandandsun]

I had the same worry with my son as I have to take steroids during the first trimester. They couldn't really see until the 20 week scan and even then they said they couldn't rule it out for sure. Ultimately, I knew the risk I was taking and to be honest, a cleft lip or palate is not the end of the world. It isn't an emergency at birth, either (compared to a heart defect, for example). I do understand your worry but please know that you might need to prepare yourself to find out at birth as I understand it is a tricky thing to see on an ultrasound, especially if it is a mild case.
It is always worth asking for a scan to see your bubba, though

Good luck with everything!
PS: I completely forgot to ask in this pregnancy (again took steroids), so thanks for reminding me

The medications I was taking were steroids, as well! I stopped taking them very early (after finding out I was pregnant at 4 weeks), so my doc thinks the risk of a cleft is extremely small, but I can't help but worry. But you're right - it's definitely not an emergency. I just hate not knowing and wondering... Did your son end up having a cleft lip and/or palate?

Thank you! I'll let you know what my doctor says tomorrow!

 

[petitpas]

If I understood it correctly, the critical time when the face sort of comes together below the nose is around 8w so you stopped well before that!
No, my son has a perfect little face although I think I would have been fine if not. I took the steroids as treatment for recurrent miscarriages so a live baby was the ultimate prize for me. I've come across a number of women on steroids for the same reason (and there is a thread on here somewhere with a collection of us. Nobody had a baby with a cleft lip.) My specialist for whom steroids are part of his standard treatment protocol said he hasn't had a report of a cleft lip yet so he thinks the 1-2% risk claim is overstated. He has prescribed steroids to hundreds of pregnant women...
So, get your scan if you can but maybe turn down a notch on this worry as the risk to your baby is really incredibly tiny. There are so many things you can put your mind to instead, such as names! Will you be finding out what you are having?

 

[sandandsun]

If I understood it correctly, the critical time when the face sort of comes together below the nose is around 8w so you stopped well before that!
No, my son has a perfect little face although I think I would have been fine if not. I took the steroids as treatment for recurrent miscarriages so a live baby was the ultimate prize for me. I've come across a number of women on steroids for the same reason (and there is a thread on here somewhere with a collection of us. Nobody had a baby with a cleft lip.) My specialist for whom steroids are part of his standard treatment protocol said he hasn't had a report of a cleft lip yet so he thinks the 1-2% risk claim is overstated. He has prescribed steroids to hundreds of pregnant women...
So, get your scan if you can but maybe turn down a notch on this worry as the risk to your baby is really incredibly tiny. There are so many things you can put your mind to instead, such as names! Will you be finding out what you are having?

Thank you. That does make me feel better. I've done a lot of research and it does seem that the risk is overstated for sure. I do plan to find out the sex and can't wait! I've always been sort of an anxious person but pregnancy has made it worse. I'm trying to find ways to allow myself to relax and fully enjoy it! I know stress isn't good for baby, either!

I'm happy to hear about your little boy. I can only imagine how difficult the miscarriages were. So glad things worked out for you and your little bundle of joy!

 

[emeeorevan]

Best of luck! Keep On your OB and usually they will schedule an ultrasound to help ease your mind!

 

[ginny83]

I was also on steroids this pregnancy until 14 weeks. The last scan I had I was 14+4, but the baby was measuring just over 15 weeks. They weren't looking specifically for a cleft lip palate, it was more a growth scan - although you'd think if the tech noticed something she would have brought it up.

My FS who prescribed the steroids didn't even mention anything about the increased risk of cleft lip - I only know about it from here! So can't be too great of a risk.

 

[ginny83]

Also, you have to think about doses. I was on 20mg a day. My mum who's a nurse said that compared to some people she see at her hospital who are taking steroids for other illnesses it's actually quite a low dose. Then you also have to think that steroids can be taken in many different forms - like a cream or orally etc, maybe that also has some impact on the results. So really there can be lots of variables

 

[sandandsun]

Also, you have to think about doses. I was on 20mg a day. My mum who's a nurse said that compared to some people she see at her hospital who are taking steroids for other illnesses it's actually quite a low dose. Then you also have to think that steroids can be taken in many different forms - like a cream or orally etc, maybe that also has some impact on the results. So really there can be lots of variables

That's very true. My doctors are ultra-conservative, but I know many women who are pregnant and taking steroids, usually prednisone. There is a small risk of cleft lip/palate, but studies have all found different results. I was taking a more "potent" steroid than prednisone, but the doc believes that because I took it so early and stopped so early that it shouldn't impact anything. *fingers crossed*

 

[LadyAphrodity]

Doesn't hurt to ask I'm 15 weeks today and so far had 3 ultrasounds got one at 12 weeks cause I was so nervous about the baby not having a heartbeat my dr did one just for peace of mind. I had had a previous miscarriage at around 10 weeks so the 12 week appt was a milestone for me. My dr is really good about peace of mind so honestly it never hurts to express your thoughts. I'm sure everything is fine I didn't even know about this was on steroids for 5 days last week lol gotta love the stuff you find out