Getting an ultrasound is often an exciting highlight of pregnancy. However, especially for first-time parents, we understand that you may have questions about ultrasound, also called a sonogram.
Here at Roots Community Birth Center, we want to give our clients the information they need to feel comfortable about the process, as well as the choice of informed consent or informed refusal when it comes to ultrasounds during pregnancy.
What is Ultrasound?
You might have seen black-and-white ultrasound pictures from friends or family or may be familiar with ultrasounds shown in TV shows or movies, but what exactly happens during an ultrasound? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists describes the process like this: “During an ultrasound exam, a transducer sends sound waves through the body. The sound waves come into contact with tissues, body fluids, and bones. The waves then bounce back, like echoes. The transducer receives these echoes, which are turned into images. The images can be viewed as pictures on a video screen.”
Although most people are familiar with a “belly glide” ultrasound, where a handheld device is gently smoothed over a pregnant belly, it’s important for our clients to know that a first trimester ultrasound is often transvaginal. During a transvaginal ultrasound, a thin plastic wand is covered in a latex barrier, like a condom, with lubricating gel and is gently inserted into the vagina. Transvaginal ultrasound is not painful, though you may feel a little pressure, especially if you have a full bladder.
Culturally, people are more familiar with a belly ultrasound, and the transvaginal ultrasound may come as a surprise. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We want you to feel comfortable, safe, and informed.
When are the Most Common Ultrasounds?
Many pregnant people receive ultrasounds at two points in their pregnancies: First trimester and during the second trimester, typically around 20 weeks gestation.
The first trimester ultrasound is often exciting because it is the very first time you get to see your developing baby. Although some parents decline this ultrasound, it is practical for various reasons. At Roots, we offer to perform first trimester ultrasounds to determine the baby’s gestational age and provide an estimated due date, but we will refer you for more specialized imaging if necessary. An early ultrasound can:
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Confirm the number of fetuses
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Check the baby’s heart rate
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Investigate concerns related to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
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Help screen for genetic disorders
What Do I Need to Know About the 20-Week Ultrasound?
The 20-week ultrasound is not mandatory for most clients. However, we do require it for those who are planning a VBAC, so we know the position of the placenta. This imaging can be helpful for several reasons related to your baby’s health and your birth. It can give us valuable information that may support a healthy and safe birth for both parents and babies.
Often called the anatomy scan, this ultrasound will:
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Check your baby’s heart rate, growth, development, and breathing patterns in the womb
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Estimate the fetus’ size and weight compared to typical growth for their gestational age
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Track the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus, called the amniotic fluid index (AFI)
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Screen for genetic disorders
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Locate the position of the placenta, which is important because a placenta that’s covering the cervix may present a risk
The anatomy scan, which typically happens between 18-22 weeks, can also let parents and care providers know if the baby has a serious complication in the womb that may need life-saving attention immediately after birth, such as an organ abnormality. Even locating a smaller issue during the anatomy scan, such as a cleft palate, can help parents feel prepared and provide assurance that their baby will receive the best care possible after birth.
An added benefit of the 20-week ultrasound is that you can often determine the sex of the baby. Be sure to tell your ultrasound technician if you would like to know this information or if you would like to wait for a surprise at your baby’s birth.
Is Ultrasound Safe?
According to The American College of Nurse-Midwives, “Ultrasound has been used extensively in pregnancy for the past 20 years, and in population based studies, there was no indication that prudent use by trained health care providers increased risk of fetal or maternal harm.”
In other words, ultrasound has been proven to be safe for both pregnant parents and babies. However, we do not recommend excessive ultrasounds for a typical, healthy pregnancy, such as doing a follow-up ultrasound after a routine 20-week scan to determine the sex of the baby simply because the baby’s positioning wasn’t optimal during the previous ultrasound.
In addition, we want you to know that if you reach 41 weeks, we will refer you for a biophysical profile, which assesses fetal well-being by combining an ultrasound with a nonstress test. It measures the baby’s health by examining breathing, heart rate, movement, tone, and AFI.
At Roots, we respect our clients’ choices, and we support both informed consent and informed refusal of routine ultrasounds. We want to help you reach your goals for a safe, healthy, and informed birth.
Are you interested in learning more about prenatal care at Roots? Set up a free consultation by calling us at 612-338-2784, scheduling a tour, or filling out our form!