Time for Your Routine Ultrasound? Everything You’ve Been Waiting to Know About the Exam

How does a routine ultrasound work?

The examination is performed by your midwife or doctor. You will lie on an examination table with your abdomen exposed. The midwife or doctor applies a gel to your abdomen and then moves an ultrasound transducer over your abdomen to visualize the fetus from different angles on a screen. The examination takes approximately 30 minutes.

What is checked during the routine ultrasound?

The purpose of the routine ultrasound is to assess the baby's health before birth. Your doctor or midwife will check, among other things:

• How many fetuses there are
• The length of the pregnancy (by measuring the head) & estimated due date
• That the fetus is growing proportionally (by measuring the abdomen and femur)
• How much amniotic fluid there is
• The fetus's anatomy (heart, brain, cerebellum, fluid-filled spaces in the head, arms, legs, face, abdomen, kidneys, bladder, spine)
• The position of the placenta

Can I find out the baby's sex during the routine ultrasound?

You can ask the doctor or midwife about the baby's sex if you are curious, but they can't always give you a definite answer. This depends, among other things, on how the baby is positioned.

How common is it to detect abnormalities during the routine ultrasound?

Approximately 98 percent of all routine ultrasounds are normal. It is common for the doctor or midwife to take a closer look at something that could be abnormal, but is then assessed as normal. However, a normal routine ultrasound is not a guarantee – some abnormalities are difficult to detect with ultrasound.

Are there any risks associated with having an ultrasound?

No, ultrasound is a safe method, both for you and your baby. There is no increased risk of miscarriage, and the sound waves do not affect the baby.