There are a lot of things that aren’t fun about being pregnant, but getting an ultrasound exam isn’t one of them! Ultrasound exams are one of the few things (besides a beautiful baby, of course!) an expecting mother can really look forward to. It’s your first chance to see your baby, to watch as they grow, and to gain vital information regarding the baby’s development, health, and gender!
Aside from being very exciting, ultrasound exams play a crucial role in monitoring the wellbeing of you and your baby throughout the entire pregnancy. Here’s everything you need to know about how ultrasounds work, and what to expect at your first, second, and third trimester exams.
What Is An Ultrasound?
An ultrasound exam, also known as a sonogram, is an imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound wave technology to create images of the patient’s internal organs. They are used for a variety of medical examinations, including the prenatal care of pregnant women.
During an ultrasound exam, your doctor or a skilled technician will scan your abdomen and pelvic area to create an image of the baby and the placenta in real time, which means you will be able to see your baby move and wiggle! The exam is painless, non-invasive, and involves no radiation.
First Trimester Ultrasound
Your first trimester ultrasound usually occurs when you are anywhere between 6 to 12 weeks pregnant. At this point in your pregnancy, your baby is still very small and difficult to actually examine with a regular ultrasound - also known as a transabdominal ultrasound - so instead, you will have a transvaginal ultrasound.
During your transvaginal first trimester ultrasound, your doctor will be able to:
Confirm pregnancy
Confirm baby’s heartbeat
Estimate baby’s age by measuring his/her length
Make a rough estimate of your delivery date
Rule out tubal (ectopic) or molar pregnancy
Second Trimester Ultrasound
Your second trimester ultrasound usually occurs when you are between 18 to 20 weeks pregnant, and it’s definitely the most exciting one! This is the ultrasound where you get to find out (if you want to) whether your little bean is a boy or a girl. Your second trimester ultrasound is referred to as an anatomy scan, and during this ultrasound your provider will take detailed measurements of your baby and check to make sure that everything is developing properly.
During your transabdominal second trimester ultrasound, your doctor will be able to:
Check baby’s heart rate
Assess your baby’s growth
Look for proper organ development
Look for any birth defects and/or abnormalities in baby’s brain, heart, liver, and kidneys
Examine the placenta and measure the amniotic fluid level
Determine the baby’s sex
Third Trimester Ultrasound
Third trimester ultrasounds are not required, though sometimes they may be necessary. Some factors that may determine whether you will need a third trimester ultrasound include:
Low amniotic levels
Bleeding
Preterm contractions
Going past your due date
Being over 35
Issues concerning baby’s growth
If your second term ultrasound showed your cervix was covered by the placenta, in which case, if it is still there, you may need a C-section.
Needing a third trimester ultrasound may sound off alarms in your head, but it does not immediately signify there is something wrong. In many cases, third trimester ultrasounds are simply a precaution to ensure your baby is doing well!
Additional Prenatal Screening Tests
Aside from the regular trimester ultrasounds, you will probably be offered other prenatal screening tests involving ultrasounds.
The nuchal translucency (NT) test, for example, is an ultrasound offered to all women between 11 and 13 weeks. The ultrasound exam is used to evaluate the risk of your baby being born with Down Syndrome, trisomy 18 (another chromosomal abnormality), or certain heart defects.
If this screening test shows that your baby is at risk, you may be recommended to take an amniocentesis test between 14 and 20 weeks. This ultrasound-guided procedure takes a sample of your amniotic fluid to test whether your baby has a chromosomal abnormality, neural tube defect, or genetic disorders.
Additionally, if you develop gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, your doctor may recommend a Doppler ultrasound during your last weeks of pregnancy to measure the blood flow and blood pressure reaching your baby.
Preparing to bring a child into the world is not an easy job, but by making sure you receive all the necessary prenatal screening tests and ultrasound exams you’re already doing a lot to prepare for your baby’s wellbeing. For more information on ultrasound exams or where to go to get one, contact us or book an appointment at a BICRAD location near you.