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You’ve taken a home pregnancy test and it came back positive. Now, what are your next steps to get the best care for your baby? Call your local Glendale OBGYN to inform them of the home pregnancy test results and to schedule an appointment to confirm the pregnancy at the office. The next step from there, scheduling your baby’s first ultrasound. When should you get your first ultrasound?Although ultrasounds can be performed as early as 5 weeks of pregnancy, doctors typically recommend that you schedule your first ultrasound when you are between 6-8 weeks pregnant. Types of Ultrasound ExamsAt this early stage of the pregnancy, the transvaginal ultrasound and the transabdominal ultrasound are most commonly used. The Transvaginal Ultrasound is more accurate for getting measurements and a heartbeat this early in the 1st trimester. This exam uses a probe transducer that is inserted into the vagina to get a look at the uterus from a closer angle. It will show the growth of the gestational sac as early as a week before it is detectable on a regular transabdominal sonogram. The Transabdominal Ultrasound uses the traditional transducer wand across the abdomen to send sound waves to the pelvis, which returns an image to the screen where you see your new child. This exam can also be used to view and monitor the cervix, ovaries and the bladder while you are pregnant. What will the first ultrasound tell you?This is quite an experience for the mother. This is when you hear your little one’s heartbeat for the first time. While you are in awe of what is going on inside of your body, the doctor is taking necessary measurements to learn more about the growth and approximate age. The measurements taken include the size of:
At about 6 weeks the Crown Rump Length (CRL) can also be used in the 1st-trimester measurements to assist with growth and age. The CRL is one of the best estimations of gestational age in early pregnancy. The ultrasound will pick up the heartbeat to measure the heart rate to make sure it is within a normal, healthy range. When all measurements are gathered, the doctor has a better picture of when conception occurred and can determine a more accurate due date. This ultrasound is such an exciting experience. Often pictures of the pea-sized embryo are provided for you to share the wonderful news with friends and family when you are ready to do so. What are the next steps for you and the family?As part of your prenatal care, the health of both you and your child are now monitored very closely throughout the next 8 months. As preferred Glendale, AZ women’s specialists who work with patients from the greater Phoenix area, we highly recommend that you maintain routine monthly appointments to check on the progress and the well-being of the baby and yourself. The monthly appointments will also help create a more positive experience during pregnancy, as questions and concerns can be addressed during these times. The Gender Reveal!There are many milestones that you will experience while pregnant. One of the most exciting appointments you will have is finding out the gender. In your 2nd trimester, between weeks 15 and 16, you will be scheduled for another ultrasound appointment to see whether you are having a boy or a girl. These pictures make for a wonderful “We’re Expecting!” announcement. Then, 3-4 weeks after learning the gender, your Glendale OBGYN will do a detailed anatomy ultrasound. This will be scheduled about the time you are 18 to 20 weeks pregnant. Get a Sneak Peek!During this exciting time, parents can’t wait to meet their little one. As the baby develops it is amazing to see his or her features as they form. Many OBGYNs in Glendale and in the Phoenix metro area offer 3D and 4D ultrasounds. At our Glendale location, we know that patients much prefer the 3D and 4D technology as it far outweighs the visual quality and effects of the typical 2D sonograms that appear on a black and white screen. The higher quality imaging can be performed during the 3rd trimester to get the best pictures. Get the Most Out of Your Maternity JourneyThese sneak peeks of the baby make for the most memorable photos as well as a great gift to share with friends and family. Babies are a precious joy. From the day you find out you are pregnant you enter into an experience that is full of awe as you get to see your little one progress and grow in your womb. With today’s technology, you get clear, detailed pictures to share with others during this exciting time. Trust the Absolute Best that Phoenix Has to Offer for Your Prenatal CareOur Glendale OBGYN facility serves the greater Phoenix area. Our patients come from a broad radius to receive the best in prenatal care. We are pleased to offer our patients the latest in this visual technology to help monitor the health and growth of your precious bundle. Seeing your baby as your delivery day draws close only increases the anticipation for his or her arrival. Enjoy this time with advancements made in ultrasound imaging to get close to your child before he or she is in your arms! We know there are lots of questions for expecting moms. We are here to help you along this beautiful journey. Leave your comments and questions below. We would love to hear from you!
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Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to create a visual image (sonogram) of your baby, placenta, and uterus during pregnancy. It gives your healthcare provider valuable information about your pregnancy and your baby's health. During an ultrasound, a technician (sonographer) uses a handheld instrument called a transducer to send sound waves through your uterus. These waves bounce off the inside of your body and your baby, and a computer translates the echoing sounds into video images that reveal your baby's shape, size, position, and movements. When do you get your first ultrasound?More and more doctors have ultrasound equipment in their office and are doing ultrasounds for their patients during the first trimester – as early as 6 to 10 weeks. When you call your healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment, ask whether you'll be having an ultrasound. Your provider may want you to have an early ultrasound if you've had a previous pregnancy complication, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy, you may have a transvaginal ultrasound, which uses a wand-shaped transducer that's put in your vagina. Transvaginal ultrasound can provide better images in early pregnancy compared to a transabdominal ultrasound (which uses a transducer on the outside of your abdomen). Transvaginal ultrasound also makes it easier to diagnose early pregnancy problems, such as a miscarriage or a molar or ectopic pregnancy. Not all women have a first-trimester ultrasound. It's standard to have just one ultrasound during pregnancy – a mid-pregnancy transabdominal ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks. This is sometimes called an anatomy ultrasound, because it evaluates your baby's anatomy. You can also find out your baby's sex at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound if you want (and if you haven't already found out from NIPT or another prenatal test). During a transvaginal ultrasound:
During a transabdominal ultrasound:
Why do I need a pregnancy ultrasound?Ultrasound allows your provider to check your baby's health and development, monitor your pregnancy, and look for any physical abnormalities. First-trimester ultrasound:If you have an ultrasound in the first trimester, it's usually too early to get a good look at your fetus's organs and limbs. But your provider can:
Second-trimester ultrasound:A second-trimester (mid-pregnancy) ultrasound allows your provider to:
Third-trimester ultrasound:A third-trimester ultrasound allows your provider to:
How long does an ultrasound take?Ultrasounds vary in length, depending on the purpose of the ultrasound and how quickly and clearly images are available on the screen. In general, a transvaginal or transabdominal ultrasound takes between five and 20 minutes. A mid-pregnancy (anatomy) ultrasound takes longer – about 20 to 45 minutes – because the sonographer will look closely at your baby's basic anatomy, including the head, brain, face, neck, chest, heart, spine, stomach, kidneys, bladder, arms, legs, and umbilical cord so your provider can make sure they're developing properly. If you've had worrisome results from other ultrasounds, or if there's any other cause for concern, the sonographer will do a more thorough (level II) scan to check even more details of your baby's body. This can take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes or more. How many ultrasounds will I have during pregnancy?You may have only one ultrasound (your mid-pregnancy ultrasound at 18 to 22 weeks). Or you could have several ultrasounds, for example: Are ultrasounds safe?Yes. Numerous large studies done over the last 35 years have found no evidence that ultrasounds harm developing babies, or that there's a cumulative effect from having multiple scans. (Ultrasounds don't involve radiation, like X-rays do.). At the same time, experts caution against unnecessary ultrasounds, pointing out that while there are no known negative effects to date, ultrasounds are a form of energy, and it's conceivable that they affect a developing baby. This may be especially true during the first trimester, when the embryo or fetus is more vulnerable to external factors. Some centers (often found in malls and private offices) sell packages of 3D ultrasounds and 4D ultrasounds as keepsakes. While it can be tempting to get realistic photos and videos of your baby in a non-medical setting, experts recommend against it. There's no guarantee that staff at these clinics are trained properly – or that the ultrasound operator will be qualified to help you if you have questions, or if your ultrasound reveals a problem. What if a pregnancy ultrasound shows a problem?If problems are suspected in your pregnancy, or there's something concerning in your ultrasound results, you may be referred for a more detailed ultrasound that will be interpreted by a radiologist or maternal-fetal medicine specialist (MFM). Often, a follow-up test shows that a suspicious ultrasound was no cause for concern. In the unlikely event that your baby has a health problem, information from your ultrasound can help you and your provider determine how to give your baby the best outcome possible. For example, serious heart rhythm problems can be treated with medication while a baby is still in the womb. Other abnormalities, such as a urinary tract blockage, can be treated with surgery even before birth. And knowing about any birth defects can help your provider deliver your baby safely and determine what care your baby will need right after birth. If your baby has a dire health problem, being informed allows you to consider all the options, whether that means making the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy, intervene medically, or prepare for the birth of a baby who needs special care. There are people who can help you navigate the results of a concerning ultrasound. A genetic counselor can help answer a lot of your questions and guide you through your decision-making process. Many high-risk pregnancy providers can refer you to a social worker for guidance, too. Learn more: Prenatal tests: An overview 12 steps to a healthy pregnancy |