The ultrasound exam, or sonography, is widely known for its role in monitoring pregnancy and tracking the baby’s development. However, it is not the first test performed during pregnancy, since the blood test comes first, and it can’t answer all questions regarding the health of the woman and baby. Learn more about the possibilities of ultrasound during pregnancy.
How to Know the Day I Conceived From the Ultrasound?
The ultrasound done up to the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy helps doctors estimate the gestational age based on the baby’s size — that is, how long you’ve been pregnant1. However, it is not possible to know the exact period of conception from an ultrasound alone. Only by a woman’s own calculations related to her cycle and fertile window is it possible to estimate the approximate week conception happened. After the first trimester, ultrasound is no longer useful for calculating gestational age because fetuses’ sizes can vary.
How to Know the Baby’s Size on the Ultrasound?
The measurement of the baby’s size is determined by the length of the femur, the abdominal circumference, and the head circumference. Through the ultrasound, it is possible to estimate the baby’s length in centimeters.
How to Tell Who the Father Is Through an Ultrasound?
It is not possible to know who the father is by ultrasound; this is only possible with a DNA test2.
3D Ultrasound: When Should It Be Done?
Usually, a standard ultrasound is sufficient as a routine pregnancy test, including to identify issues such as cleft lip, and to evaluate and measure organ volumes, such as the heart. But a 3D ultrasound can also be performed, which offers greater resolution and allows you to see the baby’s skin.
4D Ultrasound: When Should It Be Done?
The 4D ultrasound shows the baby moving in real time, and the best images can be captured between the 26th and 30th week of pregnancy. This exam is more expensive and not usually covered by most health insurance plans.
Where to Get an Ultrasound
The morphological ultrasound can be performed at some hospitals and laboratories with specialized diagnostic imaging services. Whether in private or public healthcare, the appointment needs to be scheduled.
What to Eat to Make the Baby Move During the Ultrasound?
For the baby to move during the ultrasound, the mother just needs to eat anything to make the baby more active. For example, drinking a cold fruit juice or eating chocolate before the exam.
4-Week Ultrasound: What Can Be Seen?
At a 4-week ultrasound, it is still too early to see much; you can only see the gestational sac, as the fetus is still too small to appear clearly.
Pelvic Ultrasound: How Is It Done?
The pelvic ultrasound3 is performed with the ultrasound transducer placed against the lower abdominal wall, and the patient needs to have a full bladder to distinguish it from the uterus. For this reason, it is recommended not to urinate for at least 2 hours before the exam and to drink 4 to 8 cups of liquid during that time.
Total Abdomen Ultrasound: What Does It Show?
Total abdominal ultrasound requires 4 hours of fasting because it also looks at the gallbladder, which needs to be empty. The test examines organs that are solid or contain fluid, as gas reflects the ultrasound waves, so the stomach and intestines cannot be seen properly. The organs evaluated include the pancreas, aorta, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, spleen, and bladder (when full).
What Does “HC” Mean on the Ultrasound?
On a morphological ultrasound, HC (head circumference) measures around the baby’s head and can indicate if there is any asymmetry or “flattening.”
What Is “BPD” in an Ultrasound?
On the ultrasound, BPD (biparietal diameter) is the measurement of the baby’s head, namely the distance between the parietal bones (sides) of the skull.
What Does “EDD” Mean on the Ultrasound?
EDD on the ultrasound refers to the estimated due date, which can vary slightly from exam to exam. EDD stands for Expected Date of Delivery.
What Does “AC” Mean on the Ultrasound?
On the ultrasound, AC (abdominal circumference) assesses the baby’s intrauterine growth, if it is asymmetric or slow.
How to Detect Down Syndrome on the Ultrasound?
The ultrasound shows the nuchal translucency measurement of the baby, and from that, risks for genetic syndromes such as Down Syndrome can be suspected if the measurement is outside the normal range. This is confirmed with amniocentesis and other tests.
