What is prenatal ultrasound?
Though ultrasounds can help sonographers examine many areas of the body, prenatal ultrasounds are used during pregnancy to display images of your baby, the amniotic sac, placenta, and ovaries. With an individualized approach to prenatal ultrasound, the team at Alaska Family Sonograms provides an enjoyable and beautiful experience while watching your baby grow.
Why is prenatal ultrasound performed?
The first prenatal ultrasound is usually performed around 20 weeks into a normal pregnancy. During this ultrasound exam, your sonographer can determine the following:
- Confirm the placenta is healthy
- Verify baby is growing properly in the uterus
- View and hear the baby’s heartbeat
- View baby’s movement of body, arms, and legs
- Establish the gender of the baby
Later in the pregnancy, ultrasound may be used to evaluate:
- The health of the baby
- The location of the placenta
- Amniotic fluid levels around the baby
- The position of baby
- The expected weight of baby
An individualized approach to prenatal ultrasound
At Alaska Family Sonograms, we understand that every pregnancy is different. That’s why an individualized approach is used for each and every ultrasound. We are able to perform ultrasounds earlier in the pregnancy (between 6 to 11 weeks) for a few reasons:
- Presence of more than one fetus
- To discover the due date or gestational age
- A history of miscarriage
- If you’re undergoing fertility treatment
- If you’re experiencing pain or bleeding
What can be determined during an early vaginal ultrasound?
Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, you may be able to see the following during an early vaginal ultrasound:
- Five weeks – A small, empty pregnancy sac is sometimes visible
- Six weeks – A yolk sac is visible, as well as a heartbeat
- Seven weeks – A one-centimeter-long embryo, and a heart rate of about 150 beats per minute
- Eight weeks – A 16-millimeter-sized embryo, with the possibility to make out the head, the body, and some movements
- Nine weeks – The head, body and limbs can be seen, and it’s looking more like a fully formed baby
If you’ve recently learned you’re pregnant, come see the experienced sonographers at Alaska Family Sonograms today by calling (907) 885-0390 to schedule an appointment today.