What Is a Pregnancy Ultrasound?
Pregnancy is a time of both excitement and uncertainty, as there are many changes happening to your body and your life as a whole. This miracle of life should be celebrated and cherished. Understanding what pregnancy entails will help you be prepared and limit stress and anxiety during your pregnancy, allowing you to better celebrate the gift inside of you.
We at Life Forward are here to help during your pregnancy so you are fully informed about your reproductive health and can get the care you need. We have experienced Client Educators who are trained, willing to listen, and provide a safe and neutral environment to help you with whatever you need.
We want you to feel heard and understood as you share intimate thoughts and feelings. We also have a team of medical professionals focusing on women’s health and well-being that you can talk to and ask questions regarding your body and your reproductive health. Please reach out to Life Forward to get started today!
Pregnancy brings with it many appointments, tests, procedures, and other check-ups to ensure that your pregnancy is progressing properly and the baby is healthy. One of the most common tests performed during pregnancy is an ultrasound. In order to help you stay informed and prepared during your pregnancy, we’ll share important information about what a pregnancy ultrasound is.
Understanding Pregnancy Ultrasounds
Pregnancy ultrasounds—also known as sonograms, prenatal ultrasounds, and fetal ultrasounds—is a medical imaging technique that is used to create images of a developing fetus inside the mother's womb.
An ultrasound involves an obstetrician, ultrasound technician (sonographer), nurse midwife, or other healthcare provider using an ultrasound device, called as a transducer. This wand-like device allows them to see the baby growing inside of your body by sending sound waves into your abdomen or vagina. These sound waves then bounce off of the different structures inside your body, including your baby and reproductive organs, creating a sonogram image.
The first ultrasound you may receive will be to confirm you are pregnant. While a pregnancy test can indicate whether you are producing hormones related to pregnancy or not, an ultrasound is the only way to truly confirm the presence of a growing baby, whether in the embryonic or fetal stage of development. The test is safe for mother and baby, and can be done as early as 5 to 6 weeks into a pregnancy, depending on certain factors and guidelines. However, when your first ultrasound is conducted will depend on your healthcare provider and your specific situation. Ultrasounds are generally performed around 7 to 8 weeks of pregnancy, but some providers wait until 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy ultrasounds can be done for a variety of reasons. While the most common reason is to confirm the pregnancy and determine the due date, it can also be used to check the health of the fetus, monitor fetal growth, and identify any potential complications.
What Are the Different Types of Ultrasounds?
There are two main types of pregnancy ultrasounds: transvaginal ultrasounds and abdominal ultrasounds. Here are the differences between them:
Transvaginal ultrasound is used in the early stages of pregnancy and involves inserting a small transducer into the vagina to get a closer look at the uterus and developing fetus. This test can be uncomfortable, depending on your particular anatomy.
Abdominal ultrasound is more commonly used later in the pregnancy and involves placing the transducer on the mother's abdomen to create images of the fetus.
These ultrasounds are generally 2D (two-dimensional), but there are advanced technologies that can provide 3D/4D ultrasound. This uses advanced imaging techniques to create more detailed, lifelike images of the fetus.
How Many Ultrasounds During Pregnancy?
Generally, you may have 1 or 2 ultrasounds performed during your pregnancy. The first one is to confirm your pregnancy (between 6 and 12 weeks) and the second one is known as the “anatomy scan” (between 18 and 20 weeks), which can determine the gender of the baby and examine how it is growing. However, if your healthcare provider determines there may be an issue with your pregnancy, you may need additional ultrasounds to monitor your pregnancy closely.
Are There Any Dangers of Ultrasounds During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy ultrasounds are generally considered safe and have no known risks to the mother or developing fetus. The procedure does not use ionizing radiation—like X-rays or CT scans do—which can be harmful to developing fetuses.
There are some instances where a pregnancy ultrasound may be contraindicated, which means that it might be best to not use it. For example, if the mother has an infection or other medical condition that could make the procedure unsafe, the ultrasound may need to be postponed. Additionally, some women may choose not to have a pregnancy ultrasound for personal or cultural reasons.
Life Forward also has trained professionals who can provide support and help you navigate through any situation. Additionally, we can refer you to other community resources that can further help with your specific needs. Reach out to us today to learn more!
How Life Forward Can Help
At Life Forward, we are here to help women in the Cincinnati area who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. In addition to consultations, pregnancy testing, and ultrasounds, we offer other educational and supportive services—as well as referrals to other community resources—at no cost to you.
Our staff of trained Client Educators and medical professionals will assist you and connect you to the resources and help you need. These resources can help you be more prepared during your pregnancy and make the best decision for yourself. Learn more about the services we offer or call or text us at 513.961.7777 to schedule an appointment today!