Ultrasounds to See How Your Baby Is Developing

Ultrasound is a common test to check your baby for any problems. An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to make a picture of your baby that can be seen on a computer monitor. Ultrasounds are used to check:

• Baby’s heartbeat
• Baby’s gestational age (how much baby has developed)
• Growth of your baby’s heart, brain, spine, kidneys, and other organs
• Estimated weight of your baby

How Do I Get Ready for My Ultrasound?

It’s important to follow these steps to make sure your ultrasound can take clear pictures of your baby:

• Drink six to eight glasses of water before your ultrasound.
• Do not pee until after your ultrasound is done.

Having a full bladder helps us see your baby more clearly.

You can bring one support person with you to your ultrasound.

How Many Ultrasounds Will I Have?

Most people have two ultrasounds during pregnancy.

The first ultrasound happens around 11 to 13 weeks. It helps confirm your due date, and can check for some genetic problems.

The second ultrasound is called a fetal survey. It is done around 20 to 24 weeks and checks the baby’s body and organs. At this stage, you can also find out the baby’s sex if you want to know.

Some people may need extra ultrasounds. These may be done to check on the health of your baby, or if you have a health problem. In addition to checking baby’s heartbeat and weight, these extra scans can check the amniotic fluid (the water around the baby).