Pregnancy Ultrasound: A Week-by-Week Guide
An ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that uses sound waves to create images of your baby during pregnancy. It’s a valuable tool for monitoring your baby’s growth and development, and it can also help diagnose potential problems.
You’ll typically have several ultrasounds during your pregnancy, each one providing a different view of your baby. Here’s a week-by-week guide to what you can expect to see on your ultrasound:
Week 6
At this early stage, your baby is just a tiny embryo, about the size of a poppy seed. The ultrasound will show a small, fluid-filled sac that contains the embryo. You may also see a tiny heartbeat flickering.
Week 8
Your baby is now about the size of a raspberry. The ultrasound will show a more developed embryo with a head, body, and limbs. You may also be able to see the baby’s heart beating more clearly.
Week 10
Your baby is now about the size of a strawberry. The ultrasound will show a more fully formed fetus with all of the major organs in place. You may also be able to see the baby’s fingers and toes.
Week 12
This is the week when you’ll typically have your first prenatal ultrasound. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is about the size of a lime. You’ll be able to see the baby’s head, body, limbs, and major organs. The ultrasound can also confirm your due date and rule out any major birth defects.
Week 16
Your baby is now about the size of an avocado. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is moving and kicking. You may also be able to see the baby’s facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Week 20
This is the week when you’ll typically have your second prenatal ultrasound. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is about the size of a banana. You’ll be able to see the baby’s head, body, limbs, and major organs in more detail. The ultrasound can also help determine the baby’s sex.
Week 24
Your baby is now about the size of a cantaloupe. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is growing rapidly and filling out. You may be able to see the baby’s hair and fingernails.
Week 28
Your baby is now about the size of a coconut. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is becoming more active and responsive. You may be able to see the baby yawning, stretching, and sucking its thumb.
Week 32
Your baby is now about the size of a pineapple. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is preparing for birth. You may be able to see the baby’s head engaging in the pelvis.
Week 36
Your baby is now about the size of a honeydew melon. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is getting ready to be born. You may be able to see the baby’s head turning down into the pelvis.
Week 40
This is the week when your baby is due to be born. The ultrasound will show a fetus that is ready to enter the world. You may be able to see the baby’s head crowning at the cervix.
What to Expect During an Ultrasound
An ultrasound is a simple and painless procedure. You’ll lie on a table, and a technician will apply a gel to your abdomen. The technician will then move a transducer over your abdomen, which will send sound waves into your uterus. The sound waves will bounce off your baby and create images on a monitor.
The entire procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. You may be asked to drink plenty of fluids before your ultrasound so that your bladder is full. This will help to improve the images of your baby.
Benefits of an Ultrasound
An ultrasound can provide valuable information about your baby’s health and development. It can help to:
- Confirm your pregnancy
- Determine your due date
- Rule out major birth defects
- Monitor your baby’s growth and development
- Check for multiple pregnancies
- Evaluate the placenta and amniotic fluid
- Diagnose potential problems, such as fetal distress or placental abruption
Risks of an Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive procedure. There are no known risks to you or your baby. However, some women may experience some discomfort during the procedure, such as pressure on their abdomen.
If You Have Any Concerns
If you have any concerns about your ultrasound, be sure to talk to your doctor. Your doctor can answer your questions and provide you with more information about your baby’s health and development.