You clutch the CVS bag as you run through the front door of your house and make a bee-line to the bathroom. After following the instructions on the box and waiting with baited breath, you finally see what you were looking for – two bright pink lines. Congratulations! You’re pregnant! It’s time to schedule your first appointment with an OBGYN and get your first ultrasound.
After making the initial appointment with their prenatal care provider, most moms wait anxiously for their first ultrasound. They can’t wait to see their little bundle of joy and hear its beating heart. The first ultrasound is important because it tells your doctor several things.
First, it will verify that it’s a normal pregnancy inside the uterus, and that the baby’s heartbeat is within a normal range. It will also give an estimated gestational age and due date. The sonographer will make sure that both ovaries look normal, and that nothing appears out of the ordinary regarding the pregnancy.
With the first ultrasound complete, parents typically won’t get to see their baby again until the second trimester. The next ultrasound scheduled will be what is called an Anatomy scan, and is usually scheduled between 18 and 22 weeks. While parents may be excited to find out about the baby’s gender and get cute snapshots of their little one’s face, this exam also gives crucial information about the wellbeing of the developing baby, and the health of the mom. The ultrasound technologist will look at everything from the baby’s heart to its fingers and toes. Images will be taken of the cranial contents, abdominal organs, and every other part of the baby’s body. The placenta, cervix, and amniotic fluid will also be evaluated during this visit. This is an important appointment for mom and baby!
Barring any fetal or maternal abnormalities, or requested additional imaging from the doctor, the Anatomy scan is the last medically necessary ultrasound during a healthy pregnancy. 3D imaging can be done further into the pregnancy, but it isn’t essential for prenatal care.
Ultrasound is a useful and safe tool for medical staff to collect vital information about the health of a developing baby, while also giving parents a sneak-peak at their cute new family member!
Schedule your first appointment today with Obria Medical Clinics Lawrenceville!