First Ultrasound for Pregnant Women – Everything Expectant Parents Need to Know!
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Beautiful, unforgettable, and miraculous—that’s how one might describe the moment when a couple learns they will soon become parents. For a woman, the very first weeks of pregnancy can be filled not only with joy, but also with anxiety and uncertainty, as the only signs of the expected baby are usually a positive pregnancy test and a missed period.
Once the initial excitement and emotions have settled, it’s time to schedule the first visit to the doctor—a gynecologist—to confirm that the pregnancy is progressing normally and to create a plan for ongoing prenatal care.
What expectant moms and dads need to know about how the first ultrasound for pregnant women works, when to schedule the first doctor’s visit, and what other ultrasound exams to expect throughout the pregnancy—find out all about it in this article!
When should you schedule your first visit to the gynecologist?
The very first visit to a gynecologist-obstetrician should be scheduled by the 12th week of pregnancy. However, most pregnant women schedule their first specialist visit shortly after confirming their pregnancy, which typically occurs between weeks 6 and 8 of pregnancy.
The very first visit is usually the longest and can last up to an hour. All necessary tests are performed—a complete blood count, determination of Rh factor, screening for hepatitis, syphilis, and HIV; urine tests are also required, as well as a vaginal swab to check for bacterial vaginosis.
If the chosen healthcare facility has an on-site gynecological ultrasound, this will also be the time when the first ultrasound is performed on the pregnant woman.
The gynecologist will consult with the expectant parents about the course of the pregnancy, when the crucial first-trimester screening takes place, and all other mandatory tests. You should also expect the doctor to ask questions related to the mother’s and father’s health, medical history, and previous pregnancies and births, if any.
For this and future visits, most medical facilities welcome expectant fathers to attend as well, so they can be present throughout the pregnancy and ask any questions they may have.
Expectant parents can decide whether to choose a medical facility that has a contract with the National Health Service for prenatal care, meaning that prenatal care will be covered by the state, or one of the private healthcare facilities, where prenatal care and all pregnancy-related examinations will be a paid service.
First Ultrasound for Pregnant Women – How Does It Work?
Ultrasound for pregnant women at the very beginning of pregnancy is performed transvaginally, which means that the probe is inserted into the woman’s vagina. This type of examination is not painful or dangerous, but the woman may feel slight pressure.
The primary purpose of the very first ultrasound examination is to determine whether the woman is indeed pregnant. This ultrasound is also particularly important because it checks for an ectopic pregnancy, which must be terminated immediately. It determines whether the pregnancy is singleton or multiple, checks for a fetal heartbeat, and measures the fetus.
Based on all the measurements taken, the gestational age and estimated due date are determined.
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Subsequent ultrasound examinations during pregnancy
According to Cabinet of Ministers regulations, two ultrasound examinations are mandatory during pregnancy. The mandatory first ultrasound for pregnant women is performed between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, and the second between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy. However, very often the attending gynecologist prescribes an additional ultrasound between the 34th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, as well as, if necessary, shortly before delivery.
First-trimester screening, which is performed between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, is a combined screening test. This screening includes an ultrasound examination to assess the fetus’s anatomy, measure the thickness of the nuchal fold, and check for the presence of the nasal bone in a specific plane. Measurements of the fetus are also taken, and the placenta, umbilical cord, and cervix are examined.
Within two days of the ultrasound, the pregnant woman must have blood tests done for genetic screening. All measurements and test results are then entered into a specialized program that determines the risk of genetic disorders (Patau syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Down syndrome, etc.). This screening is performed for pregnant women because it allows for a fairly accurate determination of whether the pregnancy falls into the high- or medium-risk category, as well as identifying potential complications and risks of genetic abnormalities.
Second-trimester screening, or ultrasound for pregnant women, is performed between the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy. This ultrasound evaluates the position and structure of the baby’s internal organs, as well as the structure of the skeleton and brain, and assesses the development of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
The examination also includes an assessment of the uterus, the location of the placenta and its function, as well as measurement of the amniotic fluid volume and the length of the cervix. This examination allows for a much more accurate determination of the expected delivery date.
Determining the Baby’s Sex via Ultrasound
Most often, the second-trimester screening is the time when it is possible to determine the baby’s sex. If the baby hasn’t turned away, put an arm in front, or otherwise decided to hide its gender, then starting around the 18th week of pregnancy, the specialist will be able to share this long-awaited news with the expectant parents with a high degree of accuracy.
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A competent and knowledgeable specialist will provide a sense of security
During pregnancy, it is important to find a gynecologist who, with empathy, understanding, and knowledge, will be able to provide expectant parents with a sense of security.
The first ultrasound for pregnant women is a very special and emotional moment, which is why it is important that the examination is performed by a knowledgeable specialist in obstetric and prenatal ultrasound who can answer all the expectant parents’ questions. It is also important that, if necessary, the chosen healthcare facility offers the option to perform the ultrasound examination on-site.
Adoria Beauty and Health Center offers high-quality, state-funded prenatal care, outstanding specialists, state-of-the-art equipment, and a pleasant atmosphere to make this very special time in the lives of expectant parents as enjoyable as possible.