by: Sarah Campbell, sonographer for WCS
After getting that first positive pregnancy test, the next step is to call and set up your appointment with your obstetrician. At that first appointment you can expect an ultrasound to help establish your due date and a conversation with either your doctor or nurse practitioner to help you figure out the dos and don’ts of pregnancy. Take it from me, one of the sonographers here at WCS, after seeing your child for the first time you will be counting down the days until the next time you can see them!
Ultrasound is a truly miraculous technology that has changed the lives of so many babies. Your sonographer is an expert in taking the images that the doctor needs to diagnosis any abnormalities or to reassure you of a healthy baby. For all diagnostic medical ultrasounds ordered by your doctor we insist that all cell phones and recording devices to be put away so as not to interfere with the examination. We need first to focus on obtaining images to be reviewed by your doctor before turning our attention to keepsake imaging. Every woman, every baby, and every pregnancy is different. Depending on your specific pregnancy, your doctor may order additional ultrasounds throughout pregnancy to evaluate heart rate, amniotic fluid, growth or many other concerns.
Anatomy Ultrasound (~20 weeks)
For most, the next ultrasound you can expect is around 20 weeks, or 5 months. This routine ultrasound takes about 30 minutes to complete. During that time we will be evaluating your baby’s anatomy, including but not limited to:
- Baby’s brain, spine, heart, limbs, stomach, urinary bladder, kidneys, diaphragm, umbilical cord, face, and gender.
- Measurements of your baby’s head, abdomen, and femur to calculate an estimated weight.
- Documentation of how the baby is laying, where the placenta is located, and how long your cervix is.
- Evaluation of baby’s heart rate.
*Not all babies cooperate well enough to get good images of all the anatomy on the first try. Some have to come back to reevaluate the anatomy we were unable to get pictures of.
Optional ultrasounds offered at WCS:
Nuchal Translucency Genetic Ultrasound (11-14 weeks)
Some women may choose to do a Nuchal Translucency ultrasound between 11 and 14 weeks which accompanies blood work to evaluate your risk for the pregnancy to have trisomy 13, 18 or 21. This ultrasound focuses on a measurement of fluid located at the back of your baby’s neck and can take up to 45 minutes to get. A common question I am asked at this ultrasound is if gender can be determined yet. The answer is no, not reliably. All babies (boys and girls) have a “genital protuberance” that does not differentiate completely until around 15-16 weeks.
Early Gender Ultrasound (~16 weeks)
For those parents who are itching to know if they are going to expect a boy or girl, we do offer an early gender ultrasound here at WCS at the 16 th week of pregnancy. By 16 weeks the genitalia are obvious with ultrasound evaluation (as long as you baby cooperates). This ultrasound is usually between 15 and 20 minutes and with it you will get a copy of all the images. This elective ultrasound is not medical in nature and therefore not covered by insurance. Recording of exams is welcomed during this entertainment ultrasound!
3d Ultrasound (~28-34 weeks)
For most, 20 weeks is the last time you will see your baby on ultrasound before delivering. Another unique opportunity offered by WCS is the 3d Ultrasound preformed between 28 and 34 weeks. This ultrasound captures 3d and 4d images. Ultrasound is not only an invaluable tool to your doctor, allowing her to evaluate the health of your pregnancy but also a way for you and your family to bond with your child. This ultrasound takes about 20-30 minutes and you will have access to all images and video clips saved during this ultrasound. This elective ultrasound is not medical in nature and therefore not covered by insurance. Recording of exams is welcomed during this entertainment ultrasound!
As a sonographer it is easy to see why such ‘hype’ revolves around ultrasound days, they are an immeasurably special and intimate experience that I love being able to share. The awe of family members toward baby yawning, the gasp of a grandmother seeing an ultrasound for the first time, and the big sigh that can be heard by both mom and dad after baby’s heart beat is heard for the first time are priceless. I feel blessed to be able to facilitate these bonding experiences, and try my best to be able to tie this personal experience into the diagnostic imaging that the doctor is counting on to evaluate the pregnancy. While ultrasound can be used as an entertainment/bonding tool, it is important to remember its main purpose is to evaluate the health of your precious unborn baby.
ShareFEB