Pregnancy Ultrasound: What To Expect

If you are pregnant, it is very likely you will have a common procedure done called a pregnancy ultrasound. This is a safe and noninvasive procedure usually done around the 20th week of pregnancy. All in all, the ultrasound experience should be painless and helpful event for those expecting a new baby.

During the ultrasound, the technician will check and make sure that the baby is developing properly and also check to see if their are any problems with the placenta or how the umbilical cord is positioned. During your ultrasound, you will also have the ability to learn your baby's sex if you so desire.

It takes a skilled ultrasound technician or physician to be able to properly read the blurry image of an ultrasound. Do not think that you will be able to clearly tell things such as the gender from the image yourself! However, you may be able to see some fascinating elements of life inside your womb from these images - such as if your baby is sucking their thumb and similar features.

When preparing for the ultrasound, the technician will want you to come in with a full bladder since this helps with the procedure and creating clear images. They will then smear an often quite cold gel on your stomach. This also helps with the ultrasound process and with getting a good signal. When preparing for your ultrasound you will want to also where comfortable and easily removable clothing.

During the first few minutes, the technician will likely focus carefully on the images and record details requested by the physician, but after they are done with their initial survey of the fetus they then should be more available to talk to you, point out features and answer questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions as well about what you are seeing in the images.

Many women have different thoughts and experiences during these exams, however many find the ultrasound experience reassuring. The ultrasound provides valuable information on how the baby is progressing and its overall health and well being. Many parents also find that the experience helps them bond better with the little one inside them. Actually seeing your baby for the first time is a powerful experience, even if it is only a grainy photograph that is hard to read. It is not surprising that you often see these images in baby albums and even framed in some households!

If you find the ultrasound process interesting, you might be interested in ultrasound technician training as well. Pursuing an ultrasound technician education is a rewarding experience for many and a great career field to explore.

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What to Expect From Your 3D Ultrasound

Ultrasounds are one of the most important tests performed during pregnancy because they allow the doctor to see how the baby is growing and how the organs are developing. Ultrasounds are also a wonderful bonding moment as the baby's family has the chance to actually see the baby for the first time. Ultrasounds can also detect issues such as placenta previa and premature dilation of the cervix.

The 3D Ultrasound Process

At the beginning of an ultrasound a special gel is rubbed over the woman's abdomen and a wand that emits sound waves is rubbed across the gel. The sound waves travel into the abdomen and bounce off the baby to create an image for the doctor to analyze and the family to treasure. A 3D ultrasound is more detailed than a traditional ultrasound, allowing everyone in the room to see the baby's facial expressions and get an idea of what the baby's features will look like at birth.

When Should You Get a 3D Ultrasound

Women often have at least two or three ultrasounds during the course of their pregnancy. It is best to get a 3D ultrasound between 24 weeks and 28 weeks gestation because the baby will be fully developed and have fat under their skin without being squished in the womb. After 30 weeks gestation the baby is difficult to take pictures of because they are too crowded in the womb. A baby at less than 20 weeks gestation doesn't have fat under their skin so it is difficult to see what their facial features will actually look like.

Sonogram

A sonogram is the picture that the person performing the ultrasound prints out for the baby's mother to show their family and friends. The best sonograms come from 3D ultrasounds because they are very detailed and you can usually see facial expressions as well as individual fingers and toes. Many women frame these photos for the baby's nursery walls or have them made into a memory book they can keep forever and show the baby exactly how they looked before they were born.

Risks of 3D Ultrasound

An ultrasound is one of the best tests that can be performed during pregnancy because it is not invasive and there is very little risk involved. It can be uncomfortable to lie on your back for a long period of time in late pregnancy and some sonographers press too hard with the wand, but most sonographers will do whatever they can to keep the pregnant woman comfortable during their ultrasound. There is some debate as to whether or not 3D ultrasounds carry more risk than regular ultrasounds. Most doctors recommend that women don't have ultrasounds performed on their abdomen more than once per month unless it is absolutely necessary for the health of the baby.

Peter Wendt is a writer and researcher living in Austin, Texas. Over the years he has become an authority on Austin ultrasound clinic. If you would like to learn more about this subject, then the author recommends a visit to MiracleInsight.com.

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