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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffA fetal ultrasound can be done at any point during pregnancy. Your health care provider might use a fetal ultrasound to:
- Confirm the pregnancy and its location. Some embryos develop in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. A fetal ultrasound can help your health care provider detect a tubal (ectopic) pregnancy.
- Determine your baby's gestational age. Knowing the baby's age can help your health care provider determine your due date and track various milestones throughout your pregnancy.
- Confirm the number of babies. If your health care provider suspects a multiple pregnancy, an ultrasound might be done to confirm the number of babies.
- Evaluate your baby's growth. Your health care provider can use ultrasound to determine whether your baby is growing at a normal rate. Ultrasound can be used to monitor your baby's movement, breathing and heart rate as well.
- Study the placenta and amniotic fluid levels. The placenta provides your baby with vital nutrients and oxygen-rich blood. Too much or too little amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy — or complications with the placenta need special attention.
- Identify birth defects. An ultrasound can help your health care provider detect various birth defects.
- Investigate signs or symptoms. If you're bleeding or having other complications, an ultrasound might help your health care provider determine the cause.
- Perform other prenatal tests. Your health care provider might use ultrasound to guide needle placement during certain prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.
- Determine fetal position before delivery. A C-section might be needed if the baby is in an abnormal position.
Fetal ultrasound isn't recommended simply to determine a baby's sex — but it might be a bonus for curious parents when an ultrasound is done for medical reasons. Similarly, fetal ultrasound isn't recommended solely for the purpose of producing keepsake videos or pictures.
If your health care provider doesn't suggest a fetal ultrasound but you'd like the reassurance the exam can provide, share your wishes as you work together to determine what's best for you and your baby.
References
- Frequently asked questions. Special procedures FAQ025. Ultrasound. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq025.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120731T1633444415. Accessed July 31, 2012.
- Shipp TD. Ultrasound examination in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Shipp TD. Basic principles and safety of diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Sfakianaki AK, et al. Routine prenatal ultrasonography as a screening tool. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins — Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 101: Ultrasonography in pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;113:451.
- AIUM practice guideline for ultrasonography in reproductive medicine. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. http://www.aium.org/resources/guidelines/reproductiveMed.pdf. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Avoid fetal "keepsake" images, heartbeat monitors. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ155. Ectopic pregnancy. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq155.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120801T1519144261. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ098. Special tests for monitoring fetal health. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq098.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120801T1521295745. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Cope J. Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetal cardiac anomalies. http://www.uptodate/index. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Ghidini A. Chorionic villus sampling: Risks, complications, and techniques. www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
- Ghidini A. Diagnostic amniocentesis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
- Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com. Accessed Aug. 8, 2012.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 14, 2012.
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