One of the most exciting moments in pregnancy is the initial ultrasound. It is your first glimpse at your precious baby; a small window into how they are developing. While the ultrasound can be exhilarating, it can also be a cause for anxiety. If you’ve never experienced an ultrasound before, you may find yourself asking questions such as, “What are they looking for? Are ultrasounds dangerous to my baby?” Rest assured ultrasounds are easy and safe procedures that occur daily across the world.
Your first ultrasound may vary in the pregnancy timeline depending on medical history and your obstetrician’s preference. Some OBs like to do the first ultrasound between six and nine weeks; whereas others tend to hold off, only doing a first trimester ultrasound if there is a history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Either decision is perfectly fine, as ultrasounds involve no radiation or harmful emissions. An ultrasound uses a tool called a transducer which emits sound waves through your uterus and converts them into an image as they return to the display machine. This image allows the doctor to look for any complications such as Down syndrome, abnormal placenta, or an incorrect location of the embryo. In order to perform the exam, a gelatin will be applied to your belly. The licensed technician will glide the transducer over your abdomen, attempting to view all angles of your baby. If your ultrasound is taking place in the earlier stages, the technician may opt for a transvaginal, or internal, transducer instead. Most offices will give you printouts of the best shots captured of your little one and some places even offer full videos of the session as a treasured keepsake.
Beginning around the six-week mark, the heartbeat will become visible during the ultrasound process. For new parents, this really drives home the reality of the little person growing inside of the little bump and can be quite emotional. This portion of the procedure can also reveal if you are carrying a single baby or multiples; although some babies have been known to hide behind each other, concealing the second heartbeat. Ultrasounds conducted between seven and thirteen weeks can generally pinpoint the fetal due date within three days. Your due date is determined by specific measurements that are taken during the ultrasound. A program within the machine calculates the recorded measurements and gives the technician an estimated due date and fetal age.
The ultrasound procedure is completely safe for both mother and baby and can provide great insights into the health of your baby. It is an excellent tool to assess your baby’s development and pinpoint your due date. Of course, getting to see your baby is the most obvious perk for a parent. If you have any questions about the procedure, make sure to discuss it with your obstetrician during the appointment. They will always be happy to explain what you can expect during your ultrasound.
This post was written for The Crumby Mummy by Glenn Josephik. Glenn is an account representative and the marketing coordinator at MedCorp LLC, the industry leader and premier business source for used portable ultrasound systems. You can follow Glenn Josephik on Google+.
