First pregnancies are always special but confusing too. For instance, you don’t even know when to get first ultrasound, yet the myths like sonic rays can deteriorate your baby’s brain’s health leave you perplexed. Besides, there are plenty of weird things that happen before labor.
So are these early scans actually bad for the fetus, and when is the right time to schedule your first ultrasound?
For your information, this is not something you feel so worried about. Try enjoying the first-ever parenting experience and leave the rest to us.
We will inform you of each bit of information regarding ultrasounds, such as when to see the doctor, the right schedule time, how to get prepared, and what to do next.
Without further ado, let’s start:
First Ultrasound
The date for when to get first ultrasound varies countries and hospital-wise, based on the suggestion of your OBGYN.
For instance, some recommend it during the first trimester or in the 7th or 8th week. While some doctors get it quickly done to confirm the pregnancies and other details.
When scanning is done during the first trimester, the gynecologist tries to confirm your pregnancy, duration, and number of fetuses. It also ensures the health of the fetus.
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There are different types of ultrasounds from which one can be recommended to you by your OBGYN. These types are:
1. Transabdominal Ultrasound
The most typical one, during this transducer device is moved to the mother’s abdomen to get the ultrasound done. The picture of the baby can be seen on the screen in front.
2. Transvaginal Ultrasound
In a case when transabdominal ultrasound doesn’t bring the proper information, transvaginal Ultrasound is done.
During this, a transducer, a wand-like device, is penetrated inside the vagina to get the picture through sound waves.
3. Specialized Sonographic Evaluation
If a fetal abnormality is suspected, a specialized sonographic evaluation is done to determine the fetus’s health and if the pregnancy should be continued.
4. 3D Ultrasound
3D ultrasounds provide more detailed and precise pictures of the babies inside the womb. This is also done during particular circumstances, such as identifying facial abnormalities or neural tube defects.
5. Doppler Ultrasound
If the parents are thalassemia positive, the baby’s blood flow report is conducted to confirm normal health levels. For this, Doppler ultrasounds are used.
6. Fetal Echocardiography
For confirmation of a congenital heart defect, gynecologists perform fetal echocardiography.
First Ultrasound Pregnancy – Myths You Should Never Believe
You can never stop being confused regarding when to get your first ultrasound. Parents become more conscious because of some myths associated with the first ultrasound. Such as:
- Ultrasounds are deteriorating your baby’s health
- During ultrasound scanning, harmful radiations pass through your womb and can harm the baby.
- Parents should never go for an ultrasound during the first trimester.
- Ultrasounds provide accurate information regarding the baby’s gender.
- 3D ultrasound waves are more potent than 2D ultrasound waves and can be highly harmful to the fetus and the mother.
Well, these are some myths prevailing everywhere, which are obviously not true. However, one thing you should never ignore is that during ultrasounds, some risks of increased heat stay.
“When performing an ultrasound, always hire professional sonographers who abide by safety rules, know limiting the examination time, and understand how to maintain the lowest power settings.”
When to Get First Ultrasound?
Ultrasounds can be performed as early as 5 weeks of pregnancy. However, some recommend taking at least 6 to 8 weeks after pregnancy before scheduling your first ultrasound.
Meanwhile, for confirmation, mothers can take pregnancy tests at home, such as using strips you can find from any nearby store to confirm their expectations.
However, once it is confirmed, the best you should do is visit the local Glendale OBGYN. This is best if both dad and mom visit the doctor together.
The OBGYN will further guide you regarding when to get your first ultrasound and what should be the time to visit them during your pregnancy time.
Earliest To Find Out Gender of Baby by Ultrasound
The more time you take while taking your first ultrasound, the better you can determine the accurate gender of the baby. According to experts:
- During 11 weeks of pregnancy, the accuracy in determining gender is up to 70.3%.
- During 12 weeks of pregnancy, the accuracy in determining gender is up to 98.7%.
- During 13 weeks of pregnancy, the accuracy in determining gender is up to 100%.
Before the 11th week, it is hard to determine the gender accurately. Therefore, it is better to conduct a gender-revealing party after getting an ultrasound in the 13th week or even later.
Tips to Schedule First Ultrasound
These are some tips that you should learn about before going for your first ultrasound. However, your doctor might also provide you with some instructions.
We believe these tips will come in handy as you decide when to get first ultrasound and go for it.
1. Emptying Bladder
Your bladder should be empty 90 minutes before the scan. It means you should use the bathroom and not consume any solids around 1.5 hours before the scanning is done.
2. 8-Ounce Fluid Consumption
Once the half hour is passed, you are advised to consume 8 ounces of fluid-only food within the next hour. It means you can go with drinking water, milk, coffee, or juices.
3. Two-Piece Outfit
Mothers are recommended to wear a 2 piece outfit on the scanning day. This is, so they don’t have to remove the layers of clothing while their abdomen is accessed.
4. Children under 12
Children under 12 are not recommended to see fetal echocardiograms or invasive procedures. Therefore, either they should be home or under the supervision of an additional adult while sonography is done.
5. Guests
The number of people you can bring along or the guests depends on the policies of the laboratories or hospital; where the procedure is being conducted.
However, usually, husbands or up to 3 guests are allowed. Make sure to confirm this before you invite people for the date of when to get first ultrasound.
6. Cameras & Videotapes
Once again, if cameras or video making is allowed, it also depends on the hospital policies. You can ask for permission beforehand if you want to capture something as a memento.
When Do You Get Your First Ultrasound Picture?
You are no more confused regarding when to get first ultrasound. The scanning is done successfully, and your doctor has told you that the baby is healthy.
Now, the picture is usually shown on the screens to the participants in the room where the ultrasound is being conducted.
In printed form, you get the pictures along with your reports on the same day, or the date or day your doctor decides, in case of complications.
However, for mementos, most hospitals provide you with a picture during the process. However, the scanning pictures can be collected on the same day usually.
How Many Weeks for First Ultrasound?
While asking when to get your first ultrasound, if you typically talk about the week, it is done between the 7th and 8th week of your pregnancy.
This is known as dating or viability ultrasound. This ultrasound will help you verify the due date, if the baby’s heartbeat is going okay and the crown to the rump length measurement.
During this ultrasound, you will know how many fetuses you have in the womb, for instance, if you are expecting one, twins, or how many babies.
How Soon Can You Get An Ultrasound?
How soon you can get your first ultrasound depends on the OBGYN and varies from one expert to another. However, if you are so excited, the first ultrasound can be conducted after 6 weeks.
This is because, before this, the picture of the fetus is usually not clear. If you get an ultrasound scanning 1/2 weeks after your last period, you can see only the gestational sac during scanning.
The gestational sac is just the small thing you can see in the womb, which has no heartbeat or other features. This will just confirm that something is inside your abdomen and that you are pregnant.
We suggest that you wait before the first scan and never be early in this regard. However, your doctor can tell you better.
Things to do during pregnancy
Along with being conscious regarding when to get your first ultrasound, you should also take care of your health, like what you can eat and do during pregnancy.
You should know if you can eat stuff like Cheetos or Burrata during pregnancy. Learn about fruits, for instance, whether acai is safe during pregnancy.
Look broad offers perfect pregnancy diet guides and parenting hacks so you can breed healthy kids.
Bottom Line
Here our discussion comes to an end. We have informed you everything about when to get first ultrasound. If you still have queries in mind or some confusion, feel free to write to us at lookbroad.com/parenting.