When do i do my first ultrasound

Many women look forward to getting their first peek at baby. Some simply want to see their little one and others need to see it to believe it, as you may not actually feel pregnant just yet. Prior to six weeks, imaging tests most likely cannot detect your little one, as it is only the size of a pea and growing exponentially at this time. Most doctors like to wait until seven or eight weeks to ensure a clear image of the baby.

External ultrasound typically cannot pick up the image at this time. So, the doctor will usually opt for an internal ultrasound. With an external ultrasound, the technician will rub a special gel onto your lower belly. They will gently press a transducer onto your abdomen to produce an image on the screen.

This type of scan picks up larger structures. An internal, also called a transvaginal ultrasound, is a little more invasive. This type of procedure requires the technician to insert a probe into the vagina. Internal imaging allows a better view of the uterus. The doctor may opt for this type of imaging if a structure is blocked or if you are so early that the pregnancy is difficult to see with an external ultrasound.

Though the transvaginal ultrasound may feel a little awkward, neither imaging procedure causes pain. With both, you may feel some pressure, as the sometimes press to move other structures and get a better view.

This method may also be used later in pregnancy to locate your placenta if it's over the cervix or to measure the length of the cervix. A transvaginal ultrasound is done with a wand-shaped probe covered with a latex sheath like a condom. The doctor will apply some lubricant and gently insert the ultrasound into your vagina.

She will move the device to form the picture she needs on the ultrasound screen. The procedure doesn't hurt, but you might find it uncomfortable in the same way you might find a pelvic exam uncomfortable. Transabdominal Ultrasound: After the first few weeks, most doctors will do an ultrasound on the abdomen.

After arriving at your appointment , the doctor will smear a clear gel on the skin. The gel allows the transducer a handheld device that looks like a microphone to slide more easily over your belly, and it improves the transmission of sound waves into your body. Some doctors warm the gel, but if not, you might get a chilly sensation from the cold gel on your skin. Next the doctor moves the transducer along your abdomen, applying some gentle pressure. The transducer transmits sound waves that create a picture of the baby inside.

If you're ticklish, you might find yourself challenged during this procedure. Take a deep breath and try to relax! Some doctors perform the first ultrasound exam around 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy , often during the first prenatal visit. Others only recommend this exam if a woman has symptoms of a high-risk pregnancy—for example, bleeding, abdominal pain, or a history of miscarriage , birth defects , or pregnancy complications.

During this time, your baby is very small and your uterus and fallopian tubes are closer to your birth canal than to your abdomen, so your OB-GYN might conduct the test transvaginally to get a clearer picture.

From this test, your doctor will be able to determine a more accurate due date and track milestones during your pregnancy. She'll also be able to tell if you're pregnant with multiples, and she'll determine if you have an ectopic pregnancy.

This in turn produces black and white images of your organs. This procedure is also commonly performed during the very early stages of a pregnancy. For this type of scan a probe is placed within the vagina, which produces very accurate and clear results. It is also well tolerated by patients and is usually painless. Many people want peace of mind that their pregnancy is healthy and safe so they will go for an early scan to make sure everything is progressing well. There is never any harm getting an ultrasound earlier than offered to you by the public healthcare sector.

It can put your mind at peace knowing that your pregnancy is progressing as it should. It can also help detect any issues related to the pregnancy that could put the baby or mother at risk. At The Ultrasound Suite we have a wide range of scans available to expecting mothers.

All our scans are carried out by fully qualified and experienced sonographers using the latest equipment in ultrasound technology. Please feel free to check out the different options of scans that we offer in the first trimester:.

There is no rule on how many ultrasounds are safe during pregnancy, but ACOG recommends sticking to just one to two ultrasounds in total outside of other circumstances where more are medically necessary. That said, medical guidelines caution against unnecessary exposure to ultrasound. Because no researcher would willingly put a fetus in harm's way in the name of science, it's difficult to study the long-term effects of ultrasound use — which means there is the possibility of unintended consequences with overuse.

What's more, though ultrasounds are usually relatively accurate at estimating a baby's size, they can underestimate or overestimate weight, especially if they're overused. This may occasionally result in unnecessary C-sections or premature deliveries. These groups also recommend that pregnant women avoid keepsake 3D and 4D sonograms during pregnancy advertised by private companies along with at-home fetal monitors.

What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. Ultrasound During Pregnancy. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.

Hey, baby! Get ready for your first close-up — it's time for an ultrasound. Back to Top. In This Article.