When Should You Schedule A Visit To The Prenatal Imaging Center And Other Ultrasound Questions
What do you need to know about your first fetal ultrasound? From when to schedule an appointment at a prenatal imaging center to the different types of techniques, take a look at questions first-time mothers-to-be have about ultrasounds.
What Is An Ultrasound?
A prenatal ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the growing fetus. This allows the healthcare provider to assess your baby's development, heart rate, and look for potential issues. Some women will have a prenatal ultrasound appointment during the first trimester. While it's still too early to see many anatomical structures or tell the baby's sex, it can help the OBGYN determine where you are in your pregnancy.
Will You Find Out the Gender?
Again, if you have an ultrasound during your first trimester, the medical provider can not tell you whether you will have a boy or a girl. But if your first fetal imaging center appointment is in the second trimester, it's likely that you can find out the sex of your baby.
According to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, in the eleventh and twelfth weeks of pregnancy, the accuracy rate of fetal gender identification was 91 percent. The farther you are into your pregnancy when you have an ultrasound, the more likely it is that this type of identification is correct.
When Should You Schedule An Ultrasound?
You want to make sure that your baby is healthy and developing as expected. But you also want to know the sex. If the farther along you are, the better chance of fetal sex identification accuracy is, should you wait for an ultrasound?
Even though by the eleventh week you are likely to get a higher identification accuracy rate, this doesn't mean you should wait to have your first ultrasound just to know more about the sex of your baby. Follow your doctor's recommendations for ultrasound timing. The OBGYN will factor in your age, risk level, and pre-existing conditions/complications. If the doctor needs to confirm the pregnancy, calculate your due date, or monitor the initial stages of fetal development, you may need a first-trimester imaging scan.
Are All Ultrasounds the Same?
There are a few different types of ultrasounds a pregnant woman might need. A standard 2-D ultrasound provides what looks like a grainy two-dimensional (or flat) picture of the fetus. A 3-D ultrasound creates a realistic picture of the fetus and can help the doctor learn more about the baby's width and height. Dynamic 3-D, also known as 4-D, ultrasounds show the baby moving in real-time.
The type of ultrasound that you need depends on how far into the pregnancy you are, potential issues or complications, and the doctor's recommendations. Along with standard, over-the-abdomen/pelvic region ultrasounds, you may need a transvaginal scan. As the name implies, this ultrasound is done through the vagina. The technician will insert a special wand, known as a transducer, to create the fetal image.
For more information, visit a local fetal imaging center.
Share