Fetal Ultrasound
What to Expect During Your Fetal Ultrasound
Fetal ultrasound is a test done during pregnancy that uses reflected sound waves. It produces a picture of the baby (fetus), the placenta (the organ that supports your fetus) and the liquid that surrounds your fetus (amniotic fluid). It’s the safest way to make sure your fetus is healthy. The image is displayed on a TV screen, so you can see what the ultrasound technologist is seeing, too. The pictures are also called a ‘sonogram,’ an echogram or a scan and may be in black and white or color.
Fetal ultrasound doesn’t use x-rays or other types of radiation that may harm your fetus. It's done in a doctor’s office, hospital or clinic in two ways: transabdominal or vaginal ultrasound.
Transabdominal Ultrasound
In a transabdominal ultrasound, you may need a full bladder. This helps transmit the soundwaves and pushes the intestines out of the way, making the ultrasound picture clearer. You shouldn't urinate until the test is over but tell the ultrasound technologist if your bladder is so full you're in pain. For ultrasounds done later in pregnancy, a full bladder may not be necessary as the growing fetus will push the intestines out of the way.
During the scan, you'll lie on your back on an exam table. A gel is spread on your abdomen that may feel cool. An ultrasound transducer is pressed against the gel on your skin and moved across your belly several times. You may feel some light pressure from the ultrasound wand on your abdomen and experience some bladder pressure. Please tell your technologist if you’re ever uncomfortable. A transabdominal ultrasound takes 30-60 minutes to complete, during which, you can watch the monitor to see the picture of your fetus.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
In a transvaginal ultrasound, you don’t need a full bladder. You’ll lie on your back with your knees bent and feet and legs supported by footrests. A cover, such as a condom, is placed over the thin ultrasound wand. It's gently inserted into your vagina and moved to adjust the image on the monitor. A transvaginal ultrasound is not typically painful. However, some women may experience mild discomfort or pressure when the probe is inserted. The discomfort usually goes away quickly. Tell your technologist if you’re ever uncomfortable. A transvaginal ultrasound takes 15-30 minutes to complete, during which, you can watch the monitor to see the picture of your fetus.
Fetal Ultrasound Appointment FAQs
. For a transabdominal ultrasound, you may need to have a full bladder. This helps transmit the soundwaves and pushes the intestines out of the way, making the ultrasound picture clearer. For a transvaginal ultrasound, you don’t need a full bladder.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how to prepare for your ultrasound. Ask questions if anything isn’t clear and tell your healthcare provider if you’re sensitive or allergic to any medicine, latex, tape or anesthetic medicines (general and local).
For the safety and privacy of all patients, please avoid bringing visitors who require supervision, such as children, to your appointment, unless it’s necessary.
Ultrasound techs are trained to gather images of your fetus, but they can’t tell you if they see any abnormalities. Your doctor will share this information with you after the ultrasound images are reviewed by a radiologist or perinatologist.
After an ultrasound scan, a radiologist reviews your images, and you’ll receive your results from the healthcare provider who ordered the scan. Please note you may receive your test results via MyUnityPoint before your provider has reviewed them. These results could include sensitive or difficult to understand information. Your provider will contact you if additional action is required.
Fetal Ultrasound FAQs
A fetal heartbeat is often detected around five to six weeks and ranges between 110 to 160 beats per minute (bpm). However, those numbers vary throughout your pregnancy. Some babies’ heart rates rise to 170 bpm.
Multiple pregnancies may be visible on ultrasound as early as six weeks. However, the exact timing depends on the position of your fetus(es) and clarity of the image.