What is the first reaction a woman has when she gets a positive result? Thinking about having her first ultrasound! But don’t think it’s that easy, okay? Ultrasound during pregnancy is very important. It plays a key role in checking if everything is okay with the mother and if the baby is developing as it should. However, knowing when to do it and why each ultrasound is performed during pregnancy is also essential.

How Does Ultrasound Work?

The sound waves that the ultrasound device emits collide with the solid parts they encounter, thus forming images1. This exam is harmless for both mother and baby, so don’t worry if you need to have an extra ultrasound during pregnancy apart from the number suggested below.

What Is the Purpose of Ultrasound in Pregnancy?

It is recommended that an ultrasound be done at the beginning of pregnancy for two reasons: to know if the pregnancy is happening in the right place or if it is an ectopic pregnancy, and to determine how far along the pregnancy is and the number of fetuses. After the initial stage, ultrasound is done to monitor fetal development, the health of the placenta, and to check if everything is as it should be for that gestational age2. It is important to know that you need to wait for the right time to do the first ultrasound. If done too early, it may not detect the pregnancy and cause unnecessary worry for the expectant mother3.

Melissa’s Ultrasound at 6/7 weeks

It’s best for the calculation to be done and the exam performed only from the 7th week of pregnancy onward. At this stage you can already see the gestational sac, the embryo (around 0.9 mm) and the yolk sac, which plays the placenta’s role in early pregnancy. If done too early, the exam can leave the woman frustrated, as time seems to stand still in this phase.

Right at the beginning, the exam may only detect the formation of a functional cyst and a thickened endometrium, which are signs of pregnancy but not pregnancy itself, since the gestational sac isn’t present yet. This can worry the mother. Most cases of ultrasounds performed too soon have a happy ending, with a heartbeat and everything else included.

When Should You Have Ultrasound in Pregnancy?

A prenatal carried out by the public health unit aims for 3 ultrasounds during pregnancy, one for each trimester. This number is considered ideal to detect any issues and to check if the baby’s development matches the gestational age. However, if you have private insurance, the health plan tends to offer more ultrasounds, depending entirely on the doctor’s preference. Some doctors request an ultrasound every month, and this definitely delights many moms and dads, as seeing the baby, even if only for a few minutes, brings comfort and brings the couple even closer to the child that is on the way. Typically, pregnancy ultrasounds are:

  • At 7 weeks: To determine gestational age and the number of fetuses in cases of twin pregnancies.

  • At 12 weeks: The Nuchal Translucency exam, which detects possible chromosomal problems in development, such as Down syndrome, for example.

  • At 20 weeks: Morphological ultrasound, where every tiny part of the baby is checked, from the basics, like size and gestational age, to the number of fingers. The function of the internal organs, such as the bladder, stomach, heart, and kidneys, are also checked. The placenta is also examined in this ultrasound, as both its maturation and position are crucial for assessing health.

  • At 27 weeks: An exam is performed to assess placental maturity, often using Doppler, which is a technology that checks the circulation and movement of blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

  • At 33 weeks: An ultrasound is done to check the amount of amniotic fluid and whether the baby’s growth is appropriate for gestational age. This also checks if the baby is already in the cephalic position, meaning head down, ready for birth.

If any pregnancy ultrasound exam shows an abnormality, don’t panic. The doctor will certainly order a new evaluation and, if necessary, steps can be taken while the baby is still in the mother’s womb.

But the usefulness of ultrasound goes beyond the well-being of mother and baby. What mom doesn’t find herself eager to know the baby’s sex even before the ideal time for that? At 12 weeks, you can already get a hint from the position of the fetal genital tubercle. But the best time to find out the sex is from 16 weeks onward. If you’re curious to know your baby’s sex from the pregnancy ultrasound, send the pictures or video to me by email, I’ll always give my guess! Also, tricks to get the baby to open their legs are welcome, right? Having coffee, soda, cold water, or chocolate 15 to 30 minutes before the exam can make it easier for the doctor to make a guess!

3D and 4D Ultrasound

3D and 4D ultrasound during pregnancy is a way for parents to see more details of their baby’s face. It’s no wonder many moms leave even more emotional and in love with their baby than before (as if that was possible!). Seeing what your long-awaited child looks like and trying to guess who they resemble makes every penny spent on ultrasound at this stage of pregnancy worth it.

The best time to have a 3D or 4D ultrasound is around 32 weeks. If done earlier, it might not show a chubby baby yet. And after this period, the mom may not get to see the baby in detail because the space inside the womb gets tighter and tighter. If not covered by insurance, a simple ultrasound can cost around R$100. Meanwhile, 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasounds can range from R$250 to 600, depending on the location and state.

Author’s note: Every time I went for an ultrasound, my heart would race. I think the ultrasound that moved me the most was the first one: that’s when it really sank in that there was someone alive inside me, that I was nurturing a new life. With each ultrasound, I felt more alive and even more certain about my love for my babies. The moment of finding out the sex was always a celebration! Haven’t had your ultrasound yet? Don’t wait any longer, it’s a unique thrill!

Readers’ Questions

Is it harmful to have many ultrasounds?

Many pregnant women have this question and concern. However, doctors say no, even though only one ultrasound per trimester is recommended.

Do a lot of errors happen in ultrasound?

Yes. Like any test, there is a chance of mistakes, even more so with ultrasound, which depends on the professional’s skill to interpret and provide the information in the report.

See also: First Days of Pregnancy – What are the Initial Symptoms?