Pregnancy and Ultrasounds
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds can seem confusing and overwhelming to you if this is your first time.
However, once you have your first ultrasound and understand what is going on you will come to happily anticipate looking at your baby’s image, movements, and growth before he/she is born.
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds – What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a completely safe procedure that uses inaudible, high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your baby on a screen in order to see how the fetus is developing. This procedure is carried out using real time scanner equipment that sends sound waves through your body. These waves are reflected back to a computer and the echoes are transformed into continuous moving images of your baby.
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds – What is the purpose of an ultrasound?
An ultrasound has many purposes. Initially, in the first trimester, it is used to verify pregnancy and confirm the baby’s heartbeat. It can also help in accessing gestational age and identify possible issues or problems.
In the second and third trimester, ultrasounds are used to assist in determining vital stats on your baby including gender, age, rate of growth, etc. They can determine multiple pregnancies and possible developmental issues such as Down syndrome or any abnormalities. Health care providers are not only looking at the developing fetus, however. They also use ultrasounds to look at the placenta, amniotic fluid, ovaries, and more to make sure everything is progressing properly and you and the baby are safe.
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds – How is the procedure performed?
When your ultrasound is scheduled the health care staff usually provides information about what to expect. Generally, a standard abdominal ultrasound takes about 15-20 minutes, during which time you must lie down on an exam table. The ultrasound equipment with a monitor is at your side and set up so that you can easily see the screen.
Pregnancy and ultrasounds – To begin the procedure a gel is rubbed onto your tummy and pelvic area to serve as a conductor for the sound waves. A transducer, which is a hand held probe, is moved back and forth across your stomach to send and receive those sound waves. Once the sound waves bounce back a picture is generated on the monitor beside you.
The position of your baby and the stage you are at in your pregnancy determines what you see on the screen. It is possible that the images will show hands, arms, fingers, toes, feet, legs, and facial features. It is always nice to have a technician that is willing to take time and point out what you are seeing. If you can’t make out the images do not hesitate to ask for explanations.
A standard ultrasound is a topical procedure and is not painful. Some women do experience a certain level of discomfort due to pressure placed on the full bladder during the process, but this is very minor.
It is important to note that this procedure works best when your bladder is full because the images are much clearer. Your doctor will probably ask that you drink at least 2-3 glasses of water about an hour before arriving.
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds – When is an ultrasound performed?
Typically, ultrasounds are performed in the first trimester. Some doctors schedule this procedure at around 7-9 weeks to confirm the pregnancy and determine gestational age. Another ultrasound might be scheduled at around 18-20 weeks to determine placental position, growth, and other data as well as to check for abnormalities, etc. Sometimes this procedure is done in the third trimester as well to look at the baby’s growth. The number of ultrasounds you have during your pregnancy depends on your health care provider and any extenuating circumstances you might experience.
Pregnancy and Ultrasounds – Are there other kinds of ultrasounds?
There are other types of ultrasounds that are sometimes administered in special situations including transvaginal, targeted, doppler and dynamic 3-D ultrasounds. In this article we are concentrating on the traditional abdominal topical procedure.
A first time ultrasound is an amazing experience that will most likely leave you in tears of joy and wonderment. Seeing the growing life inside of you is an indescribable moment that will move you in ways you cannot imagine. We wish you and your little one the best of health and hope that this information has been helpful regarding your pregnancy and ultrasounds.
