What to Expect from Your Prenatal Ultrasound?

Isn’t it exciting that you get a close-up of your baby? A prenatal ultrasound is a special way to see your little one growing inside you.

What Is A Prenatal Ultrasound?

A prenatal ultrasound is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to the human ear. These waves transmit through the abdomen via a transducer to look at the inside of the abdomen. Then, the echoes are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of your baby.

Furthermore, doctors usually perform a prenatal ultrasound on the skin’s surface. They apply a gel as a conductive medium to improve image quality.

The Best Time To Perform Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds are usually done in the second trimester (between weeks 18 and 22). This is because, at this time of the pregnancy, the results have an almost 100 percent accuracy rate. During this ultrasound, the doctor will check to make sure the baby is growing well and that the placenta is healthy.

The Process Of Ultrasounds

How To Prepare For An Ultrasound

There is no special preparation for the ultrasound test. Some doctors will ask you to drink 4-6 glasses of water before the ultrasound so your bladder is full. This will help the doctor view the baby better on the ultrasound.

What Happens During An Ultrasound?

During the test, you will lie on an examining table, and then the doctor will apply a small amount of gel to the skin over your abdomen. They apply a small transducer device against the skin on your abdomen. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the body, which reflect off internal structures, including your baby. The sound waves or echoes that reflect are received by the transducer and transformed into a picture on a screen. Additionally, these pictures can be printed out or sometimes recorded.

What Happens After An Ultrasound?

The doctor will wipe off the gel from your skin. Then, your healthcare provider will discuss the test results.

FAQs

Is Prenatal Ultrasound Safe?

There’s no such evidence to show a prenatal ultrasound done properly will harm a mother or their child. Moreover, ultrasound does not use radiation, as other procedures, such as X-rays.

Can You Do A Pregnancy Ultrasound At Home?

The answer is no. You will require a professionally trained doctor to perform the ultrasounds. Ultrasound imaging at home by untrained operators can cause more harm than good and can also have significant health implications.

Capture Every Precious Moment With 4Baby Ultrasound

Do you want to capture the cutest moments of your pregnancy journey? 4Baby Ultrasound offers advanced prenatal ultrasound services, including 3D and 4D imaging. Our experienced sonographers provide a comfortable and informative experience. Book your appointment today and create lasting memories of your baby’s development.