Baby on the Way? How to Prepare for an Ultrasound

Every year, more than 3.9 million babies are born in the U.S., And almost all of those babies are born to moms who underwent an ultrasound or two to check up on the development of their growing little one.

But while ultrasounds are standard, they can also intimidate new mothers. They don’t know what the test involves, what it can tell them, or how to prepare.

Whether you’re a new mom getting ready for your first ultrasound or a soon-to-be-father who wants to help his baby’s mother prepare, keep reading to learn what you need to know about ultrasound preparation.

What Exactly Is an Ultrasound?

To be better prepared and less nervous about your ultrasound, it’s a good idea to learn about your exam and how the technology works.

Diagnostic ultrasound is used when examining a growing fetus. This type of ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves to create images.

As you’d learn in an abdominal ultrasound course online, diagnostic ultrasounds are used on more than just pregnant women. They are also used to look for several conditions and problems in your liver, spleen, kidneys, gallbladder, and more.

While both allow doctors to look at our insides, an ultrasound is not an x-ray and is in no way dangerous for your growing baby.

What to Expect During Your Ultrasound Appointment

Another great way to calm your nerves before an ultrasound appointment is to understand precisely how your visit and exam will go.

Once you arrive at your doctor’s office or clinic, you’ll be led to a private exam room. From there, some doctors will require you to change into a hospital gown, while others will have you lift your shirt to expose your stomach to perform the ultrasound.

A sonographer and an ultrasound physician will perform your exam. First, they will ask you to lie back on the table and will apply extraordinary lubrication to your stomach. This jelly-like substance prevents friction between your skin and the ultrasound tool.

Next, the physician will guide the ultrasound transducer over the skin. This will be painless and very simple. The transducer emits sound waves, which bounce back and create an image that you will be able to see on an attached screen.

Your physician will help point out your growing fetus and talk with you about what they see and how your baby is developing.

What Can an Ultrasound Tell You About Your Baby?

The most important thing that most first-time mothers want to know about ultrasound is what they can expect to learn.

Initially, ultrasounds may be used to determine whether or not a woman is pregnant.

Ultrasounds are mainly used to track your baby’s growth and development. The exam can tell your doctor whether your baby is growing normally. It can also help detect any potential health problems.

Identifying these health problems early on will allow your doctor to create the best possible care plan to help keep you and your baby safe and healthy.

On a happier note, ultrasounds are also used to determine a baby’s gender, whether you might be carrying twins or even triplets, and your expected due date.

When Are Ultrasounds Performed?

Most women will receive two ultrasounds during their pregnancies.

The first ultrasound is performed during the first trimester. This exam determines your baby’s due date and checks for potential health issues or abnormal growths.

The second ultrasound is performed between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy. This exam is also used to check for abnormalities or problems and may also be used to determine the fetus’ gender if the parents wish to know in advance.

Some women may have more than two ultrasounds during their pregnancy. If the first ultrasound reveals any problems or potential problems, additional exams will likely be used to track them.

Sometimes a mother will request additional ultrasounds because of genetic abnormalities in her family tree that she and the doctor want to watch for.

What to Do Leading up to Your Ultrasound

There is very little that you’ll need to do to prepare for your ultrasound physically.

If this is the first ultrasound of your pregnancy, your doctor might ask that you come to your exam with a full bladder. You’ll want to drink 32 ounces of water, juice, or any liquid within 15 minutes of your appointment, and avoid using the restroom.

Unlike other ultrasounds, you do not need to fast before your pregnancy ultrasound. However, it would be best if you also continued taking any medications you usually take on the day of your exam.

Other Types of Ultrasounds

While diagnostic abdominal ultrasounds are the most common during pregnancy, other types of exams are also available.

One type that has become popular in recent years is the 3D and, more recently, the 4D ultrasound.

A 3D ultrasound, unlike a traditional ultrasound, allows your doctor to see a more profound image, including the width, height, and depth of the fetus and the mother’s internal organs. This exam can help better identify any potential problems with a pregnancy.

A 4D ultrasound creates a moving image of the fetus in 3D. Not only does this enhance a doctor’s ability to examine the baby, but it is also neat for new parents to see!

Before you schedule a 3D or 4D ultrasound, check with your insurance provider to see what kinds of exams are covered. Otherwise, you may end up with an unexpected bill.

Prepare for an Ultrasound

Pregnancy, and especially a mother’s first pregnancy, can be scary. There’s a lot to learn and prepare for, and everything is brand new.

Preparing for an ultrasound is essential for keeping new moms comfortable and relaxed for their first exam.

If you’re looking for more answers to your pregnancy and healthy questions, check out this list of health sites like WebMD to help you get the answers you need.


Carla Gayou
Carla Gayou

Carla is a high performing marketing professional with 5+ years of experience driving growth of in a variety of corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Strong command of digital operations with exposure to influencer marketing strategy, branding, analytics, SEO/SEM, customer success, content development, and social media Core expertise lies in managing end-to-end campaigns, creating memorable content, and facilitating improved conversion rates to enhance e-commerce operations. Adept in ensuring alignment with organizational goals, facilitating streamlined operations, and leveraging a data driven strategy used to make insightful marketing decisions.

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