Ultrasound scans use sound waves to create a picture of your baby in the womb, but what else can they reveal?
In this blog post, we’ll go over the different things that an ultrasound scan can tell you about your pregnancy and discuss why ultrasound scans are such an essential part of prenatal care.
Confirmation of the Pregnancy
An ultrasound scan can be used to confirm pregnancy from 7 weeks. If you have missed your period or are experiencing pregnancy symptoms like tiredness and nausea, an ultrasound can verify whether you’re pregnant (but please be aware that the sonographer may not be able to detect anything if you haven't yet reached the 7-week mark).
Pregnancy Location
An ultrasound scan can show whether the egg has implanted inside or outside your uterus. A pregnancy that’s located outside the uterus is called an ectopic pregnancy; this type of pregnancy is not viable and can be life-threatening if left untreated.
Number of Babies
An ultrasound scan will also determine whether you are carrying one or multiple babies (e.g. twins, triplets). It’s good to have this information as early as possible so that you can plan accordingly!
Due Date
By measuring the crown-to-rump length (CRL) and development of your baby, a sonographer can estimate gestational age and predict a due date.
Foetal Heart Rate & Movement
From as early as 7 weeks, an ultrasound scan can pick up your baby’s heartbeat. As the pregnancy progresses, our sonographers will also be able to assess foetal movement and determine whether the baby is growing and developing properly.
Foetal Growth
Ultrasounds are essential for monitoring your baby’s growth and development as the pregnancy develops. By measuring your child’s head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length, doctors can assess whether they are growing within expected parameters.
Foetal Abnormalities
Ultrasound scans can also help with the detection certain foetal abnormalities and birth defects – such as a cleft lip or palate, heart defects, Down’s syndrome and other chromosomal conditions – early on. Ultrasounds alone can’t diagnose these conditions, but they can sometimes pick up signs that indicate a need for further testing. However, not all issues can be detected by ultrasound and some abnormalities may only become apparent after birth.
Gender
If you attend an ultrasound scan after your pregnancy has passed the 16-week mark, the sonographer will be able to check your baby’s sex organs and tell you whether you’re having a boy or a girl. (If you want to know the gender before 16 weeks, consider booking a SneakPeek® gender test.)
Placental Position
Ultrasounds can provide valuable information about the location and health of the placenta during pregnancy. It should ideally be located at the top of the uterus; if it is low-lying or covering the cervix (placenta previa), this can cause complications during delivery. An ultrasound can also help determine whether the placenta is functioning properly and whether there are signs of placental abruption, which can pose risks for both mother and baby.
Amniotic Fluid Levels
The amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby can also be measured during an ultrasound. Low fluid (oligohydramnios) can be associated with problems like dehydration and placental complications. Excess fluid (polyhydramnios) can be linked to gestational diabetes and other conditions that require further testing.
Baby’s Position
From around the 28-week mark, an ultrasound can provide important information about your baby’s position inside the uterus. If the baby is head-down, you can prepare for a vaginal delivery. If the baby is breech (feet or bottom first), your doctor may discuss options for a C-section.
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Ultrasound scans are an essential tool for monitoring your pregnancy, providing you with critical information on the health and wellbeing of both you and your baby-to-be. While ultrasounds can’t detect every possible issue, they are incredibly useful for identifying issues in pregnancy, allowing for early intervention if needed.
If you have any questions about the pregnancy scans we offer here at First Encounters, please don’t hesitate to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.
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