Nine common questions you might have about your upcoming pregnancy ultrasound at QUFW

Nine common questions you might have about your upcoming pregnancy ultrasound at QUFW

by | Jun 20, 2024 | QUFW News

As you approach your upcoming ultrasound, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect, how to prepare, and what insights the procedure can provide about your baby’s health and development. Ultrasounds are an important part of prenatal care, offering you and your healthcare team valuable information about your pregnancy. This fact sheet is designed to demystify the process, addressing common concerns and queries you might have before your appointment.

How does ultrasound create images of my baby?

Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, involves the use of a small device called a transducer which emits high-frequency sound waves that are above the range of human hearing. When the transducer is placed on your abdomen, it sends these sound waves into your body where they travel until they hit tissue boundaries, such as the fluid and tissues of your baby.

Different tissues reflect these sound waves back to the transducer at different rates. For instance, bones reflect more sound waves than soft tissues. The transducer picks up these reflected waves and sends them to the ultrasound machine, which processes the data to construct an image based on the time it took for the echoes to return and their strength. This image appears on the monitor, providing a real-time view of your baby’s shape, position, and movements. The process is safe for both mother and baby, as it uses sound waves instead of radiation.

Early dating assessment of an 8 week fetus by measurement of Crown-Rump Length (CRL)

Is ultrasound safe for the baby and me?

Yes, ultrasound is considered safe for both you and your baby. It uses sound waves, not radiation, to create images. Ultrasounds have been used in pregnancy for decades and extensive studies have shown no direct harm to patients or their unborn children from standard diagnostic ultrasound.

The sound waves are of low energy and the device is designed to be used for short periods of time to minimise any potential risk, even though no risks have been conclusively proven. Sonographers, doctors, and other health specialists who use ultrasound are trained to use the lowest power settings and the shortest exposure times possible while still obtaining the needed information. This is known as the ALARA principle (“As Low As Reasonably Achievable”)
It is recommended that ultrasound is still utilised for medically indicated reasons, however the emotional benefits of ultrasound in pregnancy is also well known and documented.

What can ultrasounds show about my baby’s health?

Ultrasounds can provide valuable information about your baby’s health and development throughout pregnancy. Here are some key aspects that ultrasounds can help assess:

  • Viability and Heartbeat: An early ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy is viable by detecting the baby’s heartbeat.
  • Growth and Development: Regular ultrasounds check if the baby is growing normally. Measurements of the baby’s head, abdomen, and limbs help estimate fetal weight and growth.
  • Anatomical Structures: During the 20 week morphology scan, the ultrasound can examine the baby’s brain, heart, kidneys, limbs, and other organs to ensure they are developing properly.
  • Amniotic Fluid Volume: The ultrasound checks the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, which is important for the baby’s movement and development.
  • Placenta Position: It assesses the position of the placenta, which is crucial for a safe delivery. 
  • Birth Defects: Ultrasound can help in identifying certain physical abnormalities or potential genetic disorders. For instance, it can detect conditions like spina bifida or cleft lip.
  • Multiple Pregnancies: For twin or multiple pregnancies, ultrasounds determine the number of fetuses, their growth patterns, and their positions.
  • Overall Health: Ultrasound can help monitor the general health of the fetus, including heart rate and movement, which indicate the baby’s well-being.

Will the ultrasound be able to tell the sex of the baby?

Yes, an ultrasound can usually determine the sex of the baby, provided conditions are favourable, such as clear visibility of the relevant anatomy and the baby being in a suitable position. This is typically done during the second trimester ultrasound, around 20-22 weeks into the pregnancy. At this stage, the genitals are usually developed enough to be visibly distinguished on the ultrasound. There are medical conditions or genetic conditions where ambiguous genitalia may be seen. This is why, at QUFW, we document the gender of all babies. If you do not wish to know your baby’s gender, please let your sonographer know prior to your ultrasound.

However, the accuracy of determining the sex depends on factors like the position of the baby, the amount of amniotic fluid, the mother’s abdominal wall thickness, and the experience of the ultrasound technician. While the prediction is generally accurate, there is still a chance of error, so it’s not 100% guaranteed.

3D image of a 20-week fetus

What should I do to prepare for an ultrasound?

To prepare for an ultrasound, you can follow these steps to ensure the process is smooth and the images obtained are clear:

  • Follow Instructions on Drinking Water: For many ultrasounds in early pregnancy, you might be asked to have a full bladder, which helps improve the visibility of the uterus and the baby by pushing the bowel out of the way. Drink the amount of water recommended by your healthcare provider about an hour before the scan and try not to urinate until after the ultrasound. If you are feeling uncomfortable, it is important to discuss this with the QUFW team prior to your scan.
  • Wear Comfortable Clothing: Choose two-piece clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. This makes it easier for the technician to apply the ultrasound transducer without discomfort. However, dresses are often more comfortable during pregnancy. We are also equipped with modesty sheets to cover you during the scan.
  • Know Your Medical History: Be prepared to provide your medical and obstetric history, as well as details of any previous pregnancies and ultrasounds, which can be important for comparative analysis.
  • Check Hospital or Clinic Protocols: Especially under current health guidelines, check if there are any specific protocols about bringing a support person. Some places might restrict visitors to reduce health risks.
  • Ask About the Procedure: If you have any concerns or questions about the ultrasound, don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare provider beforehand. Knowing what to expect can help ease any anxiety.

How long does an ultrasound take?

The duration of an ultrasound can vary depending on the type of scan and the specific objectives, but most routine ultrasounds during pregnancy typically take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Early ultrasounds might be quicker, often completed in about 15 minutes, as they are generally simpler and focus on confirming the pregnancy and checking basic measures like the presence of a heartbeat.

More detailed scans, like the 13 week early anatomy scan and the 20 week morphology anatomy scan, can take longer, sometimes up to 45 minutes, especially if the baby is not in an ideal position to see all the structures clearly or if there are multiple babies.

If the ultrasound is being conducted to address specific concerns or to monitor a particular condition, the duration might also vary based on what needs to be examined. We always recommend to be aware that you may be in the department for approximately 90 minutes.

Will I need a full bladder for the ultrasound?

Whether you need a full bladder for an ultrasound depends on how far along you are in your pregnancy:

  • Early Pregnancy: For ultrasounds done in the first trimester, especially those before 12 weeks, a full bladder is often required. The full bladder helps to lift the uterus up and out of the pelvis, providing a clearer view of the developing fetus. It is also known as an ‘acoustic window’, where we can look through the fluid within the bladder and see the uterus and pregnancy sitting behind the bladder.
  • Later Pregnancy: For ultrasounds performed in the second and third trimesters, a full bladder is usually not necessary. By this stage, the uterus is large enough to be easily visible without the need for a full bladder. We recommend to have a small amount of fluid within your bladder, but not to the point where you are feeling uncomfortable.

Does an ultrasound hurt?

No, an ultrasound does not hurt. It is a painless procedure. During the ultrasound, a handheld device called a transducer is used to send and receive sound waves. This transducer is moved over your abdomen with a gel that helps improve contact between the device and your skin. You might feel some pressure as the technician moves the transducer to get the best images, but this should not be painful. If you experience any discomfort during any type of ultrasound, you can communicate this to the sonographer who will try to make adjustments to ease your discomfort.

If you do experience discomfort or pain during the scan, please inform your sonographer at the time. 

If you have a transvaginal ultrasound, where the transducer is inserted into the vagina for better imaging in early pregnancy, you might feel some discomfort, but it should not be painful. If you experience any discomfort during any type of ultrasound, you can communicate this to the sonographer who will try to make adjustments to ease your discomfort.

Can I get pictures or a video from the ultrasound?

At QUFW, we utilise the Tricefy app to send images or short video clips during your ultrasound. However, the quality of the images and video clips is dependent on the position of your baby and other factors such as placental position and maternal habitus that we cannot control. We will always endeavour to send some images through to your mobile phone, however sometimes the number and quality of the images may be not within your expectations prior to the scan.

Further reading

Take a look at these pages to learn more about the pregnancy ultrasound scans we provide:

Other questions?

If you have another question about your upcoming ultrasound at QUFW, please write them down and bring them to your scan. Your sonographer or doctor will discuss them with you. 

 

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