Can You Share Experiences with a Level II Ultrasound?

Hi J.-
I had an amnio and a level II ultra sound with my last pregnancy at Hinsdale and would highly recommend the docotrs in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Center. They were wonderful when it came to the procedures. The amnio was slightly painful and the ultra sound is completely non invasive. It just looks more closely at the baby, brain, heart chambers organs etc. They will also check the fluid around the baby and take measurements. They can get a much better idea of what is happening with the baby with a level II. Again, the ultra sound itself is nothing to worry about and it may or may not bring more answers, in our case it was a huge help. I am sorry for the experiences you have already had, I hope things get better for you. It always helps a little when you trust the doctor and feel as if you are in capable hands!

Because I'm such an old fogey, my doctor suggested the Level 2 US for each of my 3 kids -- it's the same as the other 2 US's except takes a little longer and you do find out results from the doctor immediately after the US tech performs the measurements. They will measure the diameter of the skin of your baby's neck, which is indicator of Downs if your baby might have it. What it cannot do, however, is test the DNA for any other maladies that are on the baby's cells contained in the amnio fluid. HOwever, if you got the 4-screen (is that what it's called? when they take a little blood and put it on that piece of paper and send it to a lab in Georgia, a quad screen maybe?), that should help w/ testing for a few other things that could go wrong. The LEvel 2 measures the heart, brain, other organs and the neck skin thickness... prob more but I don't recall now. GOOD luck honey, I had amnio w/ my 3rd baby and it came out fine, but it was weird and uncomfortable and contractions were had and leakage... yuck.

I could totally be wrong, but I was under the impression that many pregnant women are scheduled for their level 2 ultrasound around 20 weeks. Like many others have said, it is a much more detailed scan that will involve lots of measurements and 'looks', include finding out the gender of the baby if one desires. My level 2 ultrasound took about 30-45 minutes and was, like others said, the jelly on the belly with the wand/probe. Easy as pie!

I had an amnio with both my babies, and still had Level 2 Ultrasounds. They are not mutually exclusive.

A "Level II" ultrasound is simply a very detailed ultrasound. It will take longer to conduct. They will use the software on their screen to take measurements of all major bones (the leg bones, arm bones, skull, etc.) and organs, and will then compare your measurements to averages. These measurements help give an update to what they believe the baby's gestational age is.

I wasn't aware of a Level 2 ultrasound being used as a significant source of prenatal testing. However, I think they can use it to obtain a decent prediction about Spina Bifida. Other than that, it's just measurements (as far as I know.) I know there is a newer test regarding the back of the baby's neck, but I didn't have that screening so I don't know if it is done during this ultrasound.

I was under the impression that all women have a Level 2 ultrasound around 20 weeks. Every Mom I know had one (even the young, healthy ones!) But it sounds like you didn't have one with your son. I loved my Level 2s!!! (I had multiple, as I had high-risk pregnancies.) It was so nice to be able to watch my baby for an extended period of time on the screen!

I had one to check for signs of Down's after my quad screen test came back positive. My Dr. suggested the level 2 and a fetal echo before resorting to an amnio. The ultrasound was just like having a regular one except it was longer and gave more detailed measurements of the baby. This was also when we learned the baby's sex. It was easy and painless! It indicated that our baby was normal and she was fine. I would have never gotten the amnio because we felt the risk was too great.
Good luck to you and if you decide to have another amnio, I would go to a different Dr., more experienced or a specialist. I've never heard of anyone having that kind of problem with an amnio.
Good luck!

I think all moms to be if they choose have a level 2 ultrasound. This is usually the time they find out the sex of the baby, you can see the heart, brain, organs, spinal cord, measure the amniotic fluid etc..

I had a ultrasound done after I found out that I had gestational diabetes. It was different than the ones I had before. It took longer than a traditional one.
I believe it was a level 3. Maybe?

Good Luck to you!

Hi J.,
It seems everyone has given you the idea of the level II. I had it with my last 2 pregnancies because my 1st had a heart defect (although tied to the Down syndrome) and a level II would give them a better picture of the heart. I don't blame you for not having another amnio. I never wanted one. Stick to your guns and do the level II. Good Luck!

An US is a hell of a lot safer and less invasive than an amnio. There is a lot of risk of miscarriage with an amnio and unless it's absolutely necessary, I wouldn't put your baby at risk.

Level 2 u/s is just a higher resolution u/s than what you've had before. It doesn't hurt. just the wand and jelly on your stomach. They're able to take specific measurements of everything from arm length to nucal fold, see all 4 chambers of the heart, and several other organs. The next level u/s is 3/4D which can actually show you features of the baby's face, very cool. I've never had to have a amnio but your experience doesn't sound like any others I've heard of.

i had to have tons of u/s when I was pg with the twins. I got to see them 2-3 times a week for the last 3 months since we ran the risk of TTTS.

good luck!
Jenny

Hi J.,

At 36 yrs. old and carrying twins, I was considered high risk. So my doctor ordered two different routine level 2 ultrasounds for that. It did not hurt at all. It is just like a regular ultrasound to the pregnant women, but to the doctors it tells them a lot more than the standard ultrasound. The doctor who performed the level 2 was so nice. Everything looked fine with the babies, except he told me my son may have fluid on the brain, but not to worry. I tried not to since he said it in such a comforting way.... turns out everything was fine with my son.