Throughout your pregnancy, you will attend regular doctor’s appointments to monitor the growth and development of your baby as well as your health as the pregnancy progresses. Ultrasound technology is one of the primary tool’s doctors use to monitor your baby. From ultrasound scans, they can glean a range of valuable information which will inform the doctor of any tests, treatments, and potential risks involved in the pregnancy. During your first doctor’s appointment, you may wonder how many ultrasound scans you have to have during pregnancy. The answer depends on you, your doctor, and your baby.
Why Do You Go for Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy?
Women’s bodies are all unique, as are the embryos growing inside them. Doctors monitor women and their babies for variables and to ensure their health and safety. During this time, mothers are also afforded the chance to catch a glimpse of their baby and ask the doctor questions.
Ultrasound scans yield information such as:
- The expected due date
- Gender
- Number of fetuses
- Whether the baby is developing as expected
- Is the heartbeat normal
- Any obvious causes for concern
How Often Do You Go for Ultrasound Scans?
The intervals of the scans are dependent on the doctor and the information they gather from each consultation. Women who have miscarried previously, have pre-existing conditions, or are having their first child, may have to have more scans during their pregnancy. Women who are low risk and have had children before typically require fewer ultrasound scans, but it all comes down to the doctor’s observations, and the information yielded from previous scans and tests.
How Many Ultrasound Scans Do You Have to Go For?
Some women require fewer scans, but it’s always preferable to adhere to the doctor’s suggestions based on test results and risk levels.
Early Pregnancy Scan
Your early pregnancy scan may take place between 6 and 8weeks. Though scans conducted before eight weeks are unusual, in the case of high-risk pregnancies, the doctor may opt to perform a scan this early on to confirm the pregnancy viability and location. Once the pregnancy is seen inside the womb, then we can rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
First-Trimester Scan
Your first-trimester scan typically takes place between 11+1 and 13+6 weeks. This scan will coincide with the nuchal translucency test and detailed 1st trimester anatomy scan.
Second-Trimester Scan
This scan is usually performed between 18 and 20 weeks. This is when doctors find out the gender of the baby, check for abnormalities, and assess the amniotic fluid.
Third Trimester
During the third trimester the doctor will assess the baby’s growth; this scan will take place between 28 and 40 weeks. At this point, they will assess the size and weight of the baby, as well as how well the placenta is functioning.
Regular ultrasound scans are essential to ensure the fetus and mother are healthy and developing as expected. During this time, various other tests are also conducted to the same end. Should your doctor schedule your appointments at different times during your pregnancy, feel free to ask them about it – good doctors will always answer your questions and quell your concerns.