What to expect from the second trimester ultrasound Screen for genetic orders: This exam typically includes a nuchal translucency screening, which is used to rule out Down Syndrome and physical defects of the heart like congenital heart disease.An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg attaches outside the uterus. Check for ectopic pregnancy: A doctor can evaluate if the pregnancy is developing where it's supposed to.Detect the number of babies: If there is more than one fetus, the doctor should be able to see it.Establish a due date: By measuring the fetus, doctors are able to confirm the gestational age - or how far along the pregnancy is - and establish an estimated due date.Confirm the pregnancy: This is done by checking the fetal heartbeat.With this examination, also known as a "dating ultrasound," the doctor will evaluate gestational age and rule out or identify any major abnormalities in early development.ĭuring this early ultrasound, you can expect the doctor to: Many women experience their first ultrasound between 11 to 14 weeks into their pregnancy. What to expect from the first trimester ultrasound If the pregnancy has no major complications, the second ultrasound comes at about 18 to 20 weeks. The first one is usually scheduled for late in the first trimester, around the 11 to 14-week mark. If you have a healthy pregnancy, you'll typically only need two ultrasounds. Stephen Chasen, director of obstetric imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. "An ultrasound does not involve radiation, and, at the frequencies used for diagnostic imaging, poses no known risk to the mother or developing baby," says Dr. Generally speaking, ultrasounds are safe to perform during pregnancy, but in terms of how many to plan for, it's important to talk to your doctor to establish clear medical reasons as to why an ultrasound is needed. Doctors use this time to check on the baby's development, detect any genetic abnormalities, and examine the uterus, placenta, and amniotic fluid. While getting ultrasound pictures is considered an early milestone for many parents, the primary purpose of an ultrasound is not for a keepsake. The sound waves bounce off the fetus to create an image of the baby in the womb. An OB-GYN or an ultrasound technician uses a device called a transducer to send sound waves through the skin into the womb. True to its name, an ultra sound works by sending and detecting sound waves.
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