Pregnant? What You Need to Know About Your Pregnancy

2 Things Expectant Women Should Know About Getting an Ultrasound

5 October 2016 by Joann Dunn

If you are pregnant you should be prepared to get an ultrasound. An ultrasound is one of the best and safest ways to determine whether the baby is healthy. If this is your first pregnancy, you are probably wondering what you should expect from an ultrasound. Here are some things you need to know.

How Many Ultrasounds Will I Get?

There is no set number of ultrasounds each expectant mother will get. It simply depends on the health of the mother and health of the baby. The one ultrasound that is standard is the 20-week ultrasound. This is when the doctor will check all of the organs of the child, make sure the fluid is healthy, and even check the gender of your baby. At this point in the pregnancy, you will be able to see every part of the baby's body, and it will be easier to detect any issues such as Down syndrome, congenital heart problems, and so much more.

In some cases, you will get an ultrasound in the early stages of your pregnancy. You might be able to get one between 8–12 weeks, and that can help you to determine the correct due date and any problems that the baby might have. Additionally, if you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may get ultrasounds throughout the pregnancy to check on the baby. This is completely up to the doctor and the mother's health and special needs.

Does an Ultrasound Hurt?

An ultrasound is completely painless. The only discomfort is that the gel that they put on the mother's stomach might be a little cold. Otherwise you should expect to feel the sensation of a plastic wand being rubbed over the stomach. As for the baby, an ultrasound is safe for them too. Researchers have asked this question for years, and it has been determined that there are no risks for the baby, that any unknown risks are minimal, and that the benefits far outweigh the risks.

In addition, you should know that the method does not use x-rays or radiation to see the baby. Instead, the test is done through sound waves and the receipt of echo waves. Thus, it may be a little loud for the baby while the ultrasound is in use, but it shouldn't harming the baby in any way since there is no electrical current or radiation through the test.

By understanding these things, you can understand what to expect with a sonogram. Visit sites like http://www.evdi.com to find an ultrasound provider near you.

Share

Search