Baby Ultrasound: What should I be expecting During Visits

Out of all the phases that a mom goes through for the nine months of being pregnant, one of them is visiting the doctor for their ultrasound. So for most of the pregnant moms, the dilemma is to ultrasound or not to ultrasound. Now if you decide to go for an ultrasound and it is your first time, there are some of the things which you should be expecting, like:
 

• If you are a first-time mom, your first ultrasound is going to be full of emotions. As being pregnant can be really stressful, you will have all kinds of questions like is everything ok? If you are really pregnant or no? What will I see? etc.

• The transvaginal ultrasound might really scare you. It is a type of pelvic ultrasound which uses a wand so as to take a look at your baby and your vagina from the inside. So do not worry or stress out as it is completely normal and a painless process.

• In your first ultrasound, you will get a rough idea about when your due date is going to be, as the doctor will ask you to confirm the date of your last menstrual cycle, which will give an estimated date of your baby's arrival.

• You will be assured about the number of babies you are going to have, whether there is only one baby or there are twins, and if you are too lucky, you might also get to have triplets. 

• Now the best part is, you will get to see the baby as well as hear the baby’s heartbeat, plus you will be assured about the location of the baby.

Now as convenient and gleeful the experience of an ultrasound may sound, it comes with its risks as well. Although it is understood that you might be tempted to take an appointment for a 3D or 4D scan at your local hospital, with recent studies, the safety of ultrasound technology is still under evaluation and has been showing mixed results. Although the gynecologists have no scientific evidence for proving the harmful effects on ultrasound on a developing fetus, the possible risks are still unclear.
 

If we review the whole procedure of an ultrasound, it is essentially a machine that uses sound waves to generate heat within a body part. It is recommended by the experts that the ultrasound should be performed by a qualified professional and only for the necessary medical reasons.

It is also suggested that a total of one to two 2D ultrasounds has lower risks and gives a complication-free pregnancy.

Now you might be wondering what ultrasound really is? Well, if we look up the word ultrasound in a dictionary, it is basically described as a medical diagnostic test which uses high-frequency sound waves so as to create images of the inside of a human body. And the instrument used to perform this, measures the echoes as the sound bounces back and the recordings takes a form of a picture on the screen and allows a doctor to see what exactly is going on inside.
 

Thus, ultrasound gives a chance to you, so that you can take a high-tech to peek at your unborn baby. Although this is not the real purpose of an ultrasound, the job of ultrasound is to measure the growth and keep a check on the development of the baby as well as the health of the reproductive organs and placenta. It is also used to detect or rule out certain birth defects. Though discovering the sex of your baby and taking the first glimpse of your unicorn is a thrilling experience.
 

The first ultrasound for most of the pregnant ladies is scheduled around the 8^th week of pregnancy as this is the period when the fetus has developed large enough to be spotted on the screen and validate a pregnancy.

There are various types of ultrasounds done during pregnancy. And the similarity in each of the ultrasound is that they use the sound waves to create an image. In the 3D ultrasound, multiple numbers of two-dimensional images are taken from various angles and then put up together to form a three-dimensional rendering. Therefore it is separated from a regular ultrasound as it gives detailed information about the development of the baby. The 3D images show the baby in a clearer manner from all the different angles as compared to a 2D image. This helps in the minute checking of the physical development of the baby such as the development of the head, arms, legs, facial features, fingers, toes, and other such details. This is essential as it can spot the abnormalities (if any) in the baby's body.

As mentioned before, each type of ultrasound use the sound waves to create an image. In the 4D ultrasound, the scan shows the moving 3D image of your baby, with time being the fourth dimension. Both the ultrasounds are best for predicting the abnormality of the baby. Therefore in the 4D ultrasound, there is an image which is continuously updated, it is like watching a movie, thus you can watch your baby doing things like opening and closing his/her eyes or sucking their thumb.

The best time to take the 3D and 4D scan is between the 26^th week and the 30^th  week of pregnancy.

With your first ultrasound, you will receive your prize, which will be the first photograph of your baby. Now there are plenty of ways in which you can preserve and cherish this prize. Some of them are:
 

(A) You can use this picture to decorate your baby's nursery. It will add a really unique and personal touch to the nursery.
 

(B) You can put the picture in a photo frame and use some cheesy lines such as ‘love at first sight' because it is so worth the words.
 

(C) You can use the picture for the customization of your t-shirt or mugs, etc. 
 

(D) Add the picture to your scrapbook, it can either be your pregnancy scrapbook or it can be your baby’s first scrapbook.
 

(E) You can also scan the picture and send it to all your family members and relatives. It is, of course, a fun way of giving them the good news.
 

(F) You can use the picture on your baby shower invitation or for your baby’s first birthday invitation card.
 

(G) You can use the picture in a video, a couple of months after your baby is born featuring all the pictures of different stages of your pregnancy.

As mentioned before, it is suggested that a total of one to two 2D ultrasounds has lower risks and gives a complication-free pregnancy. It is discouraged by the experts to use any kinds of ultrasounds, be it 2D, Doppler, 3D or 4D, for the sole purpose of creating a memento.  
 

Some sessions of the ultrasounds last for as long as 45 minutes, which in most cases is much longer than a medical scan, this results in more unnecessary ultrasound exposure. Additionally taking repetitive and frequent sessions can be intrusive and disruptive for a fetus who is going to use your womb to grow, develop and get the required amount of sleep. The same is the result from using the at-home doppler ultrasound machines.
 

Thus, try and limit the visits to one or two and make each scan session no more than 15 minutes in length.

Therefore, keep in mind the various factors before you go for an ultrasound. Although your first ultrasound may scare you a bit but remember it is just a normal procedure, so stay calm and enjoy your session. And remember to alter the visits if you are going for a scan just for making mementos, as you will be given plenty of opportunities for taking the pictures and making memories once your baby is born.