How to prepare for your first scheduled ultrasound during pregnancy

When is the best time to do an ultrasound after pregnancy is established?

The ultrasound diagnostic procedure must be performed already in the first trimester of gestation. However, the principle “the sooner the better” does not apply here. It is better to wait until the baby is a little older and can be clearly seen on the monitor.

Should I do it right away?

There is no need to run to the ultrasound diagnostic room immediately after a woman sees two lines on a pregnancy test.
Indications for this exist only in a number of specific cases when the health of the mother and child is at risk. For example, if there is a suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy or a risk of early miscarriage (in patients with a predisposition to this). The detection of a fertilized egg from the time it can be seen serves as indisputable confirmation of the very fact of pregnancy.

What week is the best time to have your first ultrasound?

As part of the first screening, ultrasound is prescribed between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy (on average, 12 weeks). An earlier or later procedure will not allow recording parameters that are key for the initial stage of pregnancy.

Who sets the dates for the first ultrasound?

A pregnant woman is referred to an ultrasound diagnostician free of charge by her attending gynecologist, based on the predetermined timing of pregnancy and current symptoms.

Ultrasound during pregnancy: how to prepare?

First, you need to sign up for an ultrasound examination in advance. When going for diagnostics, be sure to take documents: insurance policy, passport, exchange card.

In the 1st trimester, the examination is sometimes done abdominally with a full bladder. Before diagnosis, drink water.

It is necessary to get enough sleep before the ultrasound examination, you need to avoid all sorts of anxiety and long waits for the procedure in a cramped and stuffy room. All this can affect the uterus, and the study may reveal a false threat of miscarriage.

Is it allowed to eat and drink before an ultrasound scan during pregnancy?

Eating is allowed at any time. But if you are preparing for an ultrasound, you do not need to eat foods that cause gas formation in the intestines (fresh bread, legumes, sweets, fresh fruits and vegetables). The rest of the food can be consumed.

Drinking water is allowed without any restrictions, but after diagnosis the bladder should be emptied. Transvaginal examination with a full bladder is sometimes accompanied by discomfort. You should not drink coffee or strong tea. Their effect on the body can distort the results of the examination.

What should be the preparation for an ultrasound scan during pregnancy is determined by 2 factors: the method of carrying out the procedure and the duration of pregnancy.

What not to eat before the test

The diet a few days before an abdominal ultrasound should not contain foods that contribute to increased gas formation:

• milk and products made from it;
• cauliflower and white cabbage;
• beans, peas;
• onion;
• radish, radish;
• mushrooms;
• whole grain bread and boiled cereals (except rice);
• apples, pears;
• grape;
• peaches;
• Jerusalem artichoke;
• juice, sparkling water.

If other screening tests (blood tests) are performed simultaneously with ultrasound, the list of dietary restrictions will be expanded.

Reasons for prescribing an ultrasound before 10 weeks of pregnancy

You can do an ultrasound multiple times. This examination is carried out even at 1 week of pregnancy. Some women are afraid of the procedure, especially when it comes to the transvaginal method of examination. But it is important to understand that this diagnosis is harmless and detects at the very beginning of development any pathologies of the fetus, problems of the female reproductive system or diseases of the kidneys and other internal organs. When the doctor insists on an ultrasound, you need to obey and prepare for the diagnosis.

Reasons for referral for ultrasound at the beginning of the first trimester of pregnancy:

• determination of pregnancy;
• clarification of the gestational age in patients with irregular cycles;
• when there is suspicion of pathology;
• if there have been miscarriages in the past;
• for chronic diseases of the kidneys or other pelvic organs.

Pathological conditions are as follows:

• abnormal fetal development;
• ectopic pregnancy;
• tumors of the appendages or uterus;
• abnormal features of a woman’s uterus (septa, duplication).

It is important to understand that an ultrasound scan is necessary, especially when the doctor insists on it. If pathologies are detected, emergency assistance will help avoid serious complications in the future.

How is the ultrasound procedure performed?

The expectant mother most often comes to the sonologist's office by appointment.
Ultrasound diagnostics can be carried out in a clinic, which includes an antenatal clinic, or in a specialized diagnostic center with modern equipment (for example, if there are special indications).

How long does it take

Typically, the research procedure takes up to half an hour. The duration of the process depends not only on the quality of the equipment, but also on the experience of the diagnostician. Sometimes his assistant takes dictation.

How to do it

The first ultrasound is usually performed transvaginally. The specialist inserts the device with a condom on it into the vagina. This method, of course, can cause unpleasant experiences for shy women, but it should be remembered that the child’s health is a priority. The usual method of examination (abdominal), when the device is moved over the pregnant woman’s abdomen, is less effective in the first trimester. Signals from a small fetus are “muffled” by the layers of the uterus and muscles.

What are they watching?

During an ultrasound, the doctor records indicators indicating the condition of the embryo and the conditions of its development.
The number of embryos, the presence of a placenta and yolk sac are determined, and the size of the uterus and its appendages is measured. The size of the fetus from the crown to the tailbone and the diameter of the abdomen are recorded. The bones of the arms and legs are measured and their symmetry is established. Among the internal organs, the heart, stomach and brain are primarily examined - their location and size. Key indicators that are markers of trisomy (cases of excess number of chromosomes) and other pathologies:

• collar area size;
• development of the neural tube, its closure;
• visualization of the nasal bone.

The doctor is required to report in the conclusion about all detected abnormalities, for example, blood clots or detachment of membranes. Some of them are not fatal and can be corrected if doctors are informed in a timely manner.

Some additional information, for example, data on the smoothness of facial contours, indicating Down syndrome, cannot be obtained with outdated equipment.

Decoding

A gynecologist interprets the ultrasound results, but in case of anxiety and doubt, a pregnant woman can independently compare the parameters indicated in the conclusion with the normative ones (although only a specialist can give an accurate assessment of this information).
The coccyx-parietal size is designated by the abbreviation KTP. Its normative indicators differ at different times:

1. At the beginning of the 10th week, the CTE is 3-4 mm.
2. At week 11 – from 4.2 to 5 mm.
3. Week 12 – CTE is 5-6 mm.
4. At week 13 the figure is up to 7.5 mm.

The thickness of the nuchal translucency (TN) also varies depending on the period. At 10 weeks it ranges from 1.5 to 2.2 mm, at 11 weeks it can reach 2.4 mm, at 12 weeks - up to 2.5 mm, and in the middle of the 13th week - up to 2.7 mm.

The presence or absence of a nasal bone is considered one of the most important markers of pathologies, but a pregnant woman should not be alarmed if its size is not indicated - normally, the nasal bone cannot be accurately measured. From 12 weeks the bone size is 3 mm or more.

An important parameter is the heart rate (heart rate), in other words, the pulse of the embryo, which gradually becomes less intense in the first trimester:

• at 10 weeks – from 161 to 180 beats per minute;
• at week 11 – from 158 to 170 beats;
• 12 week – 149-173 beats per minute;
• at week 13 - from 146 to 170 beats per minute.

During a multiple pregnancy, some of these indicators may be lower, which is acceptable.

If the indicators go beyond the specified ranges, it is a reason to prescribe in-depth studies, sometimes with introduction into the placenta. Unfortunately, the consequence of procedures such as amniocentesis (puncture with amniotic fluid collection) can be fetal death or miscarriage.

What is revealed by ultrasound?

The first ultrasound reveals markers of genetic diseases, serious pathologies and syndromes, and impaired fetal development. If something serious is diagnosed, the pregnancy is terminated. The first ultrasound examination determines the gestational age of the fetus with three-day accuracy.

Ultrasound reveals anembryonia - a condition if the fertilized egg is empty. It may lack a yolk sac (or its size is larger than 8 mm) or the embryo itself.

For anatomical assessment of the embryo, ultrasound is prescribed at the 12th or 13th week. During the study, the thickness of the collar area is assessed. This is a test for the presence or absence of Down syndrome. In addition, the first ultrasound during pregnancy allows you to determine the level of fetal viability.

At the 4th week he has visible heart contractions, and at the 5th week he can see movement. The length of a monthly fetus is no more than 5 millimeters. During this period, heart rate is 100 beats per minute. At the end of the 6th and beginning of the 7th week, the arms, legs and head of the unborn child are already visible in the image.

The study also reveals a frozen pregnancy when the fetus has no heartbeat. Ultrasound diagnostics allows you to detect the degree of risk of premature placental abruption. To identify this pathology, an ultrasound examination must be done in the 4th week of pregnancy.

Typically, premature placental abruption is accompanied by bloody vaginal discharge, which is an indication for an ultrasound. In this case, the study helps prescribe treatment that will reduce the risk of miscarriage and save the unborn child.

During the first ultrasound, the number of embryos is determined. The sixth week shows their exact number - 2 or more fetal and yolk sacs. This is an important mammoth, because if there is more than one embryo, the risk of miscarriage increases significantly. In this case, even after early research, it is then carried out much more often.

The examination reveals a false “position of interest.” Most often, this condition is observed in women who really want to have children or are being treated for infertility. At the same time, some symptoms of pregnancy appear. However, they are also similar to uterine fibroids, neoplasms or ovarian cysts. Ultrasound diagnostics helps to identify such conditions in a timely manner.

What can be seen during the first weekly ultrasound?

The study may be carried out earlier than the standard deadline for various reasons. The first ultrasound during pregnancy can be performed at different weeks. Each of them is characterized in its own way:

1. In the first week of pregnancy, ectopic conception and hydatidiform mole are excluded or diagnosed. Gynecological diseases that cause a delay in menstruation are identified.
2. At the 3rd or 4th week of pregnancy, you can see the umbilical cord, the beginnings of the limbs, and the beginning of the formation of the ears. The size of the fetus at this time is from 2 to 4 mm.
3. At the 10th or 11th week of pregnancy, the embryo grows and the main anatomical structures can be recognized in the photographs. This allows us to identify pathologies that are incompatible with the life of the unborn child. Its movements and internal organs are distinguished, and the process of cartilage ossification is assessed.
4. More accurate data using ultrasound is obtained at the 12th or 13th week of pregnancy. Until this time, doctors do not recommend performing an ultrasound, since the anatomy of the fetus is not yet fully expressed. At 12-13 weeks, a number of deviations, if any, are already accurately determined. For example, the collar gap should be 2-3 mm. When the maximum indicator increases, a suspicion arises of chromosomal pathologies present in the embryo.

When is it necessary to do the first ultrasound? If diagnostics have not been carried out previously, then in the 10-12th week it is mandatory. During ultrasound, the quantity and quality of amniotic fluid, areas where the placenta is attached and the likelihood of pathological abnormalities are assessed.

If abnormalities have been recorded, for example, excessive uterine tone or placental expulsion, then an ultrasound scan is performed again a week later. All data is given to the woman and stored by the obstetrician. Repeated diagnostics are best carried out by the same doctor and on the same device.

If the first ultrasound during pregnancy is performed at the 15th week, this will allow you to see the active activity of the heart, the formation of bones and the central nervous system. The most optimal time is to do an examination at the 16th week in order to find out the sex of the child at the same time.

If the first ultrasound examination is carried out on the 18th or 19th, then the fetus already gains the ability to distinguish noise, hear, and its closed eyes react to light. All internal organs and soft tissues of the child are already fully formed.

How often can you do it

Although the ultrasound procedure is considered harmless, this is only due to the lack of information about possible harm to the fetus. Ultrasound waves expose the embryo to a certain effect, so experts recommend doing ultrasound as many times as the doctor prescribes (3-4 per pregnancy), and not undergoing the procedure on a whim or desire to get a high-quality image of the unborn child (using three-dimensional ultrasound).

Ultrasound examination in the first trimester is a universal procedure that allows not only to confirm the fact of pregnancy, but also to record the parameters of the fetus and the woman’s internal organs. It allows you to identify violations at an early stage and, if possible, correct them. Ultrasound is a painless and short-term procedure, as a result of which the mother learns the first reliable information about her child, which can have a decisive influence on his future fate.

Types of diagnostics and their advantages

The study can be carried out in two ways using a sensor. When transvaginal, it is inserted directly into the vagina. This provides an accurate and detailed image of the ovaries, cervix and the embryo itself.

Pregnancy using this diagnostic method can be determined in the early stages, unlike standard ultrasound. Even minimal preparation is not required before performing a transvaginal procedure.

The second method is through the stomach. It has several varieties:

• 2D – obtaining two-dimensional images;
• 3D – more complete three-dimensional image;
• 4D – real-time examination of the fetus.

During the first ultrasound, the transvaginal method is most often used. It makes it possible to determine an “interesting position” in the first weeks, when this is not yet possible with the help of sensors. With the transvaginal method, the device comes into direct contact with the uterus. This allows you to confirm pregnancy even in the early stages, which is 4-5 days from the first day of a missed period.

How to do the first ultrasound

The first ultrasound is an opportunity to see the baby for the first time. Of course, it’s still too early to find out the gender, but you can see the crumbled arms and legs. It is not much different from the usual ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs for women.

If there are no special indications, then the examination takes place through the anterior abdominal wall.

An abdominal ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy is done as follows:

1. The woman lies down on the couch.
2. A special gel is applied to the stomach.
3. The ultrasound device scans the fetus, the walls of the uterus and the ovaries. A woman can see her baby on the monitor screen.

If the fetus has chosen an inappropriate position in the uterus and certain parameters cannot be assessed, the doctor can stimulate its movement by gently pressing the sensor on the anterior wall of the uterus. It's not painful or dangerous at all.

Transvaginal ultrasound, where the probe is inserted directly into the vagina, is rarely performed. It is more informative and allows you to detect pregnancy as early as the third or fourth week. However, this type of ultrasound can cause uterine hypertonicity, so it is used only when indicated.

How is the first transvaginal ultrasound performed during pregnancy:

1. A pregnant woman should undress from the waist down and lie down on the couch.
2. The doctor puts a condom on the sensor, lubricates it with gel and inserts it shallowly into the vagina.
3. He moves it from side to side to get the full picture. The image is displayed on the monitor and the data is recorded.

Neither abdominal nor transvaginal ultrasound is painful. The examination lasts about 10 minutes.

What do they say at the first ultrasound during pregnancy? First of all, they determine the exact duration of pregnancy, then they talk about the condition of the fetus, how it develops, and whether there are any deviations.

The doctor takes basic measurements and compares them with normal values. In general, possible risks, if any, are discussed.

If desired, the woman can ask in advance to take a photo or video recording of the examination.

It is important!

“An ultrasound examination of the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy makes it possible to verify the viability of the fetus, determine the number of fetuses, accurately determine the gestational age, detect gross developmental anomalies and measure the cervical fold, which, in combination with the age of the mother, is an important component of screening, allowing up to 75% confidence in early detection of some chromosomal abnormalities.”

The data obtained during many years of research and observation of fetal development and the course of pregnancy allowed us to draw several conclusions that are used today in ultrasound diagnostics.

• Fetal development occurs unevenly: some organs and parts of the body are visualized already in the first weeks of pregnancy, while others are visualized only in the second or third trimester. But with normal fetal formation, the sequence of development is the same. Thanks to this, it became possible to detect any abnormalities at an early stage, when many of them can be corrected, and the pregnancy can be preserved.
• During an ultrasound, pregnancy complications can also be detected - anomalies in the attachment or thickness of the chorion (the membrane that will subsequently be responsible for the nutrition and breathing of the fetus until its birth) or other disorders. Based on the detected problems, the woman may be prescribed measures to reduce the risk to the health of the fetus and the likelihood of spontaneous abortion (drug therapy, physiotherapy, spa treatment, restrictive physical activity, etc.).

At what weeks the first ultrasound is performed during pregnancy is decided by the attending physician. Modern standards require ultrasound diagnostics to be carried out at 11–13 gestational weeks, since this is the optimal time at which important features of the course of pregnancy can already be noticed. Contrary to popular belief, the principle “the sooner the better” does not apply to ultrasound, since at too early stages the examination readings will be uninformative and have a high level of error.

“An ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy is very uninformative, so many false negative and false positive conclusions can be made. Determining the gestational age before 11–12 weeks has a wide range of errors, which means it can be very inaccurate. This is a completely false idea that the earlier an ultrasound is done, the more accurately the gestational age will be determined.”

How is ultrasound performed and is such a procedure important?

During the entire pregnancy, 3 examinations, or screenings, are performed. Screening is a procedure that identifies patients with an existing anomaly or pathology during pregnancy.

The first screening includes genetic testing. It can detect malformations and defects in fetal genes. If complex pathologies are detected, additional tests may be performed or the pregnancy may be terminated. This diagnosis is carried out from 11 to 14 weeks of the gestational process, and the gestation period is specified.

The second examination is carried out from 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, specialists can determine the sex of the fetus and exclude the presence of most congenital pathologies, because all its organs and systems are formed by this time.

If an ultrasound procedure was missed, it should be done as soon as possible. The timing of ultrasound diagnostics is set for special reasons - in the early stages you can see whether the fetus is developing correctly, begin therapy or terminate the pregnancy with the least harm to the patient’s body.

The patient must save all the results of ultrasound examinations. This will allow the specialist to understand how the pregnancy is progressing, the embryo is developing, and also to identify emerging pathologies in time.

The importance of preparing for research in the first trimester

Before the examination, the expectant mother needs to fulfill certain conditions that will help the device collect complete information about her condition. The ultrasound is quick and hassle-free as long as the woman follows the advice about what to eat and drink before the procedure. Some foods cause gas to accumulate in the intestines, making it difficult for ultrasound to collect information.

Patients suffering from flatulence and colic should take Espumisan in recommended doses 1 or 2 days before the examination. At the same time, you need to eat foods that cleanse the intestines and do not lead to constipation. It is advisable to drink still water or tea, since many juices and carbonated drinks lead to bloating and gas formation, which distorts the information obtained on ultrasound.

The first ultrasound examination must be taken seriously. When a woman prepares for the procedure, meticulously following the doctors' requirements, the initial assessment of the fetus's condition is made accurately. The condition of the kidneys, uterus and other organs of the genitourinary system is also assessed.

At what stage is the embryo visible on ultrasound?

At what stage of pregnancy can you have an ultrasound? At 6 obstetric weeks, a pregnant woman is 100 percent sure that she is carrying a baby under her heart, since it is at this moment that his developing heart begins to beat. Ultrasound in the first weeks of pregnancy can only give results using the transvaginal method.

The transabdominal method visualizes pregnancy by the 8th obstetric week, although this is also considered a fairly early period. In general, an early ultrasound scan is necessary for a woman to not only verify the presence of a fetus, but also to exclude an ectopic pregnancy, determine the number of formed embryos and the risk of miscarriage.

How many times are ultrasounds performed during pregnancy? In the Russian Federation there is a special program for examining pregnant women, according to which they undergo 3 mandatory screening ultrasounds. Additional studies during periods of pregnancy not established by law are not excluded.