Pregnancy Ultrasound: Types, Procedure, Risks And Preparation

Image: iStock

Pregnancy ultrasound enables healthcare providers to identify existing problems in the growing fetus and allows parents to see their baby for the first time. As a result, ultrasounds are now an important part of routine prenatal care for most pregnant women.

Diagnostic ultrasound procedures are considered safe, and according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, they do not have any adverse effects on the developing fetus (1). However, care must be taken to undergo ultrasounds under the supervision of an experienced doctor.

Read this post to know the benefits, types, and importance of pregnancy ultrasounds and when they should be done.

What Is An Ultrasound? 

Ultrasound is defined as a procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to look at tissues and organs inside the body (2). A pregnancy ultrasound is a test that shows the development of the baby in two dimensions. During this process, the sound waves emitted from the transducer reflect after touching the baby’s body and create an image on the ultrasound screen, showing the fetus’ growth and body parts (3).

Ultrasounds can also help your healthcare provider see and monitor your baby’s growth and development. When done under the supervision of a doctor, the ultrasound is safe for you and your baby. 

When Is An Ultrasound Done During Pregnancy?

An ultrasound is usually performed for all pregnant women during the 20th week of pregnancy. However, expecting mothers can also have an ultrasound performed before the 20th week. 

• Early pregnancy ultrasound (6-8 weeks): During this period, the baby is most probably the size of a tennis ball. Early ultrasounds are usually performed to check the baby’s heartbeat and work out the age and due date (4).

• Dating ultrasound (9-11 weeks): During the first trimester of pregnancy, you might want to figure out early whether or not your baby has any serious medical conditions. Dating ultrasound usually assess the growth of the baby in accordance with the menstural age (5). 

• • Nuchal translucency ultrasound (12-14): Nuchal translucency scan is the ultrasound combined with a blood test to look at two specific hormones of pregnancy, namely, the free-Beta hcG and PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A). This is a non-invasive test that helps identify whether the fetus is at risk of Down’s syndrome or any other chromosomal abnormalities (6). 

• Anatomy scan (18-20 weeks): The 20-week scan is used for the examination of the baby’s bones, heart, brain, spinal cord, face, kidneys, and abdomen (7). This prenatal scan helps in the detection of 11 rare conditions that might be present in the fetus. These are anencephaly, cleft lip syndrome, diaphragmatic hernia, Edward’s syndrome, gastroschisis, open spina bifida, serious cardiac abnormalities, and Patau’s syndrome. In most cases, the sonography report will show that the baby is developing properly.

Why Is Ultrasound During Pregnancy Important?

Ultrasound is the most commonly used diagnostic procedure in obstetrics. It is convenient, painless, yields immediate results, and is widely considered safe (8).

For the most basic cases, ultrasound during pregnancy is done to fulfill the following purposes.

• It provides important developmental details of the fetus.

• It provides a high-quality screening service, increasing the couple’s autonomy regarding any prenatal decision.

• The first-trimester ultrasound can detect genetic and structural abnormalities, which are otherwise undetectable using basic examination protocol.

• The detailed study of early pregnancies is essential for early and long-term parental counseling, especially if any congenital deformities are present in the fetus. Fetography, which involves radiography, is one diagnostic technique that can help identify fetal congenital malformations.

• Ultrasound helps to monitor the fetal position and growth during the pregnancy.

• Ultrasound helps monitor the level of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is the fluid that surrounds the fetus. Excess or less of amniotic fluid might indicate problems.

Point to consider

During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound can look for issues, including ectopic pregnancies or the likelihood of miscarriage, and check if there are multiple pregnancies (such as twins or triplets) (3).

What Are The Different Types Of Ultrasound?

Fetal ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create an image of the unborn baby. The different types of ultrasounds that are available are as follows.

1. Transabdominal ultrasound

A transabdominal ultrasound is a useful way of examining the internal organs of the fetus in the abdominal region, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and bladder. While receiving a transabdominal ultrasound, you need to have a full urinary bladder during first 12 weeks of pregnancy to view a clear image of the developing fetus

2. Transvaginal ultrasound

The ultrasound is done through a probe inserted into the vagina. It provides a clearer picture of the cervix, placenta, and fetus. A transvaginal scan during pregnancy can help detect the fetus’ heartbeat. It can also record the location and size of the fetus.

3. Doppler ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound is used to monitor the blood circulation in the blood vessels of the developing fetus. In high-risk pregnancies, using Doppler ultrasound to study the blood flow in the fetus has proven to be helpful (9).

4. Three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound

Three-dimensional ultrasounds are an aggregated result of numerous two-dimensional pictures taken from different angles. The advantage of 3D ultrasound scans is that they provide rich visual information, reducing the time taken to interpret results. It also reduces the probability of misdiagnosis significantly (10).

5. Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound

Four-dimensional ultrasound is a comparatively new process that has been recently introduced for medical procedures and provides fetal images in real-time. The 4D ultrasound scan can majorly assist in the real-time assessment of fetal face, grimacing, breathing movements, mouthing, and finding out the limbs’ direction (11).

Did you know?

A biophysical profile (BPP), a test that combines an ultrasound with a nonstress test to see if your baby is receiving adequate oxygen, includes ultrasound as part of its diagnostic process (14).

How To Prepare For An Ultrasound During Pregnancy?

It is usually suggested to have a full bladder for an ultrasound, although you must follow any specific instructions from your doctor or sonographer. Generally, you may have to empty your bladder 90 minutes before the ultrasound examination and then consume about eight ounces (237ml) of water or any other fluid of your choice about one hour before the process (12).

Having a full bladder during the ultrasound can help get a clearer view of the baby and its movements and characteristics. You may ask any questions regarding preparation for an ultrasound prior to the procedure to the doctor.

Are There Risks Of Ultrasound During Pregnancy?

The risks related to getting a maternal ultrasound during pregnancy are considered to be the least. However, the risks may vary depending on your and your fetus’ health (13).

A few commonly associated risks of pregnancy during an ultrasound are:

• Mild discomfort caused due to the transducer on your abdomen or vagina (in case of transvaginal ultrasound)

• Reaction to the latex gel for the smooth movement of the transducer, if you have a history of latex sensitivity

Be watchful

Pregnancy ultrasounds are sometimes performed in non-medical settings by inexperienced professionals, resulting in inaccurate image readings and information. So, it is advised to have an ultrasound performed by skilled professionals in a proper medical setting (13).

What Happens After An Ultrasound?

An ultrasound usually takes 20-30 minutes to complete. After the ultrasound, you can wipe off the excess gel from your abdomen. The process results are usually provided within a short period, and after discussing the test results with the concerned doctor, you can go back home. 

Infographic: Different Types Of Ultrasounds Recommended During Pregnancy

Throughout the pregnancy, ultrasound plays a crucial role in monitoring and checking the growth and development of the fetus. However, your doctor may recommend several types of ultrasound scans when pregnant. Check out the infographic below to learn about these ultrasound types and their uses in pregnancy.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Pregnancy Ultrasound: Types Procedure Risks And Preparation

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Watch this video to learn about the amazing technology of prenatal ultrasound and how it can help you during pregnancy.

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Shweta ShahMS, DNB

Dr. Shweta is a passionate and skilled gynecologist with over five years of experience in her field. She is a woman who connects and resonates with her patients, like her beloved family. She is a prolific doctor who can be related to women across all walks of life.

Read full bio of Dr. Shweta Shah

Sanjana BhattacharjeeMSc

Sanjana did her post graduation in Applied Microbiology from Vellore Institute of Technology, India. Her interest in science and health, combined with her passion to write made her convert from a scientist to a writer. She believes her role at MomJunction combines the best of both worlds as she writes health-based content based on scientific evidence.

Read full bio of Sanjana Bhattacharjee

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

Read full bio of Reshmi Das