@janeenjoy I agree that early ultrasounds can be an important tool for early detection, and I think women who request them should be accommodated when possible. But as someone who works in medicine, a “2 minute ultrasound” is only 2 mins for the patient. It takes an entire team to schedule you, check you in, a nurse and provider both take time to review your chart so they understand your clinical picture, then they conduct the ultrasound. After that, they evaluate any imaging or physical findings, document all findings and your interaction in the charting system, and then send off any orders needed. That takes quite a bit of time behind the scenes.
If 6-week ultrasounds to rule out ectopics were the norm, it would be an immense challenge to women’s medicine teams. This isn’t to negate any of the suffering of women who have had incompetent providers who didn’t hear their complaints when they had symptoms. I believe providers should listen to their patients and be willing to accommodate requests, such as an early ultrasound, if a patient is truly concerned. But I agree with the MD above who described the reasoning behind why many women don’t receive this as part of standard care, it isn’t feasible for the general whole and also isn’t warranted in most circumstances.
Medicine can always be improved. I hope in time we have better methods for detection and/or improved access to cost-effective, early ultrasound technology for anyone who seeks it. Hope you didn’t find my remark inflammatory, just presenting a different side of the coin.
Wishing you, and everyone else here, good luck on this tumultuous journey that is TTC. We’re all on the same team after all