When To Schedule Your Ultrasound

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Today we are going to be discussing the ultrasound also known as the sonogram. All expecting couples are always looking forward to that first ultrasound. The ultrasound gives them a chance to see their new unborn baby. Ultrasounds are conducted in radiology centers or to one’s doctors office and is performed by an ultrasonographer, someone who is specially trained in ultrasounds. The stenographer will lie you down, usually on a bed, and will apply a special kind of ultrasound gel, which can transmit the pictures through a device known as a transducer. Ultrasounds use sound waves, the same sound waves the same as your voice which means that they are not not dangerous to the baby at all. The frequency of those sound waves are such that you and I cannot necessarily hear them. However, the computer can pick up the sounds and constructs an image. Ultrasounds are completely safe and there is no radiation associated with the procedure.

In general most women will get at least one ultrasound during pregnancy which will occur at approximately 18-22 weeks, or during the second trimester of pregnancy. This time is ideal because you can see all the organ systems of the baby which should be fully developed. By about 14-16 weeks or so, the baby’s sex is generally evident, and therefore 18-22 weeks is a good time to see whether you will be having a boy or a girl. More importantly, it is a great time to see whether the babies organ systems are developing normally, specifically the brain, spinal cord, the heart, the kidneys, the stomach, the lungs and all the babies extremities and other important organ systems.

Sometimes your doctor may order an ultrasound initially early in the pregnancy to determine the dates and location of the pregnancy. However unless there is a problem or an issue or something that needs to be viewed by ultrasound, there is usually no need to do any others. If you do need ultrasounds later on it does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong, but may mean they were not able to see everything.

Other items that your doctor my look for in the ultrasound include the size of the baby, the location of the placenta and whether or not you have two or more babies. If you have any other questions about ultrasounds, don’t hesitate to ask!