Are you a first-time mother? Here's everything you need to know about ultrasounds during pregnancy 

A pregnancy ultrasound is an imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of a baby in the womb, as well as the mother's reproductive system. An ultrasound scan is also called a sonogram which is a prenatal test offered to most pregnant women.

There are two main kinds of ultrasound scans done during pregnancy—transvaginal and transabdominal.

Everything to Know About Ultrasounds During Pregnancy

• Having an ultrasound during your pregnancy is important because it can quickly give your doctor a lot of information about your baby.

• An ultrasound scan can be done at any stage in your pregnancy. A gel is applied to the pregnant woman's abdomen to allow sound waves to pass from the ultrasound probe into the uterus. The ultrasound probe is then moved over the abdomen to produce an ultrasound image by the reflection of the sound waves off the baby.

• Ultrasound scans use sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. It is also used to help diagnose any causes of pain, swelling, and infection in the body's internal organs. During pregnancy, ultrasound scans help to examine the baby's vitals.

• If the technician discovers any problems, you may need to come back for a second ultrasound or other tests to ensure everything is fine.

• The first ultrasound scan may take place when you are around 6 to 8 weeks pregnant, and its purpose is to confirm pregnancy dating to make sure we have an accurate due date. It also allows one to hear the foetal heartbeat and to see if there's one, or more foetus.

Reasons for additional ultrasounds during pregnancy

• You experience spotting during pregnancy and want to ensure everything is fine.
• You are carrying multiple babies and want to monitor their growth.
• You are at risk of preterm labour and to check for changes in the cervix.
• Your practitioner wants to check whether your baby is too large to deliver vaginally.

Why Are Ultrasounds Done in Each Trimester of Pregnancy?

The first ultrasound scan is done to confirm the foetal heartbeat and the baby's position in the mother's uterus. Later, ultrasounds screen for foetal growth and placenta location, and a baby's general health and anatomy. Towards the end of pregnancy, ultrasounds can be useful for checking the length of your cervix as well as verifying that your baby is in a heads-down position before labor.

Ultrasounds are necessary to know what is happening inside the mother's womb and if both the baby and mother are safe.

References

1. Team Stanford Medicine. Ultrasound in Pregnancy. stanfordchildrens.org
2. Whitworth M, Bricker L, Mullan C. (2015). Ultrasound for fetal assessment in early pregnancy. NCBI