During pregnancy, you have to take care of yourself all the time. This care is not only for you but also for your baby. You want your baby to develop with good health. But how can you find out whether your baby is healthy or not? You can perform an ultrasound to find that out.
First Ultrasound During Pregnancy is an important procedure as far as pregnancy is concerned. It is an important part of your prenatal care routine. At the beginning of your pregnancy, the ultrasound will only check the heartbeat of the fetus. Pregnant women have many questions about the ultrasound. In this article, let’s answer some of them.
In This Article
- Is Ultrasound Safe During Pregnancy?
- When Will be the First Ultrasound During Pregnancy Conducted?
- What to Expect at First Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
- How do I Prepare For First Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
- Do You Get a Picture At First Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
- How Many Ultrasounds do You Get While Pregnant?
- Can Too Many Ultrasounds Harm the Baby?
- What Are the Risks of Ultrasound?
- FAQ’s
Is Ultrasound Safe During Pregnancy?
One of the biggest concerns of pregnant women is whether the ultrasound will be safe or not. To perform the ultrasound exam with safety, you have to do that from a trained professional. You should also know that there are no such reports of any damage to the pregnancy due to ultrasound. When you have the ultrasound exam with professionals, they manage the heat with care. So, the chances of any concern for the pregnant woman reduce. If a pregnant woman has any other medical condition, then she might have to go for the ultrasound exam often.
When Will be the First Ultrasound During Pregnancy Conducted?
Your doctor can suggest you go for the ultrasound exam during your first visit. It could be at the prenatal stage of your pregnancy. The first ultrasound exam for your pregnancy may take place during the 6 to 8 weeks mark of your pregnancy. Apart from that, here are other reasons why you may need an ultrasound exam early:
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding
- Congenital disabilities
- Miscarriage history
- Other pregnancy complications
At the time of your first ultrasound exam, your baby will be very small. So, your doctor may perform the transvaginal ultrasound. It will give your doctor a good picture of your pregnancy situation.
[Read : Transvaginal Scans During Early Pregnancy]
What to Expect at First Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
The first ultrasound test for any pregnant woman can be a bit stressful. The expectancy of seeing the baby for the first time can be a bit overwhelming. However, you need to relax during your first ultrasound test. Your doctor will listen to the heartbeat of your baby. With this test, your doctor will prepare a roadmap for your pregnancy. The doctor may even tell you whether you have multiples or not.
How do I Prepare For First Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
As you get the appointment of your doctor for the ultrasound test, you will get instructions on what you need to do. Your doctor may ask you to fill your bladder before you go for the test. The ultrasound waves can travel better via liquid. So, the clarity of your ultrasound test will enhance. Apart from these, here are some other tips for you before you go for the ultrasound test:
- Try to wear two-piece attire for easy access to the abdomen.
- It would be best if you went for your ultrasound test in a text center that provides a 3D ultrasound test. It will help to check for any complication with your pregnancy.
Do You Get a Picture At First Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
At your first ultrasound test, the doctor will look to listen to the heartbeat of your baby. If there is any complication with your pregnancy, then the doctor will advise you for the 3D ultrasound test. With this test, you will see a clear picture of your fetus. Also, it will be easier for your doctor to figure out any birth defect or complication in the pregnancy.
[Read : 3D And 4D Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy]
How Many Ultrasounds do You Get While Pregnant?
During the time of a normal pregnancy, a woman will have to go for two ultrasound tests. First Ultrasound During Pregnancy will happen during the first trimester. With this test, your doctor will confirm your due date. The second ultrasound test will take place between 18 to 22 weeks of the pregnancy. It will give you a clear picture of the baby’s condition and sex. However, if you are facing complications during your pregnancy, then you might have to go for ultrasound tests more than twice.
Can Too Many Ultrasounds Harm the Baby?
Having too many ultrasound tests is a thing of concern for many pregnant women. However, while performing the ultrasound test, the professionals take excessive care. So, it is very unlikely that it may harm your baby. The fact of the matter is too many ultrasound tests will not cause any harm to the mother or the baby.
[Read : Repeated Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy]
What Are the Risks of Ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a very much risk-free pregnancy test. However, you have to make sure that a doctor or a healthcare professional is performing the test. Moreover, in this test, the medical practitioner will use sound waves in place of radiation. Doctors are using this test for more than 30 years now and have found no danger or risk whatsoever. But, you need to understand this, ultrasound can rule out complications, it cannot detect all the problems.
Finally, you should not worry about going for an ultrasound test during pregnancy. It is very much safe to have this test to determine the condition of your pregnancy. But, you have to make sure that you are taking this test with the help of a medical practitioner. It will help you to avoid any unnecessary risk.
Read Also: Sonography During Pregnancy
FAQ’s
1. Is 6 Weeks Too Early For Ultrasound?
Generally, doctors prefer performing an ultrasound at 6 weeks if you were on fertility support or if they anticipate any complications. However, the ultrasound at this stage should be able to confirm the gestational age.
2. What Is The Difference Between A Sonogram And an Ultrasound?
A picture that was created by ultrasound is called a sonogram. To put it another way, the sonogram is not the method but rather the end result of it.
3. How Many Times Should I Get An Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
Most healthy women get two ultrasounds during their pregnancy. The first is usually done between 11 and 14 weeks to confirm the due date. The second is done between 18 and 22 weeks to make sure the baby is developing normally.
4. Can Too Many Ultrasounds Harm The Baby?
Women who are carrying twins or whose pregnancies are high-risk have more scans. Doctors have been using ultrasounds to check on pregnancies for a long time. When done by a doctor or nurse, an ultrasound is safe for you and your baby. Ultrasound is safer than X-rays because it doesn’t use radiation. Instead, it uses sound waves.
