Going for the first ultrasound during pregnancy is usually an unforgettable experience for many pregnant women. If you are a parent-to-be, you are perhaps wondering how your first ultrasound will go. How will the doctors do it? Does the ultrasound test hurt?

Having the first glimpse of your baby is the most exciting moment of pregnancy. The ultrasound is a painless test in which high-frequency sound waves travel into the uterus to capture a developing fetus’s images. Note that the test doesn’t hurt.

Wondering how your first ultrasound during pregnancy will be like? Here is what to expect during the test. #MainStreetMedical Share on X

Type of Ultrasounds

There are two types of pregnancy ultrasounds: transvaginal ultrasound and transabdominal ultrasound. In what circumstances should you go for the tests?

Let’s find out.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

A transvaginal ultrasound test is done during the early pregnancy stages when the fetus is deep in the pregnant woman’s pelvis. During this test, obstetricians and gynecologists will insert an ultrasound probe into the vagina to produce clearer images of the fetus.

Transabdominal Ultrasound

During a transabdominal ultrasound test, the doctor smears a clear gel on the abdomen skin to smoothly slide the transducer. When the doctor moves the transducer along the abdomen, it transmits sound waves that capture the fetus’s image.

Determine The Trimester

Knowing your trimester during pregnancy will help you determine the right time to go for ultrasound tests. For instance, the most common early pregnancy test done during the first trimester is the crown-rump test. It measures the baby’s size from the head to tush.

The crown-rump test helps the doctors determine if the fetus’s size matches what it should have based on the mother’s last menstrual period. Note that a trimester consists of 12 weeks, and there are three trimesters during pregnancy.

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound Exam

If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant, you need to go for an ultrasound pregnancy test with a full bladder. Sound waves tend to travel faster in liquid during early pregnancy.

Consider the following tips when going for the first ultrasound test:

• Put on a two-piece outfit for easy and quick access to the tummy
• Go for a 3-D ultrasound test if you have pregnancy complications
• Drink one glass (8-ounce) of fluid (water or milk) an hour before the test

Take Care of Your Baby

Now that you know how your first ultrasound during pregnancy will be like, you should build enough confidence to go for the test. It’s a vital health care practice that will help you check the fetal heartbeat, see if it has heart defects, and forecast your due date.

Contact us to learn more tips on preparing for your first ultrasound test.