April 13, 2001, Newsletter Issue #27: Tests During Pregnancy - Ultrasound

Tip of the Week

Ultrasound. The one test that most moms-to-be await with eager anticipation. So what is it and what happens to you?

Well, the scanner or probe picks up soundwaves from the baby which produce a sonar image which is then presented on a screen where you can see it.

To get the image, you will first need to drink a whole lot of water because your bladder needs to be full to get a clear image, then lie on your back with your abdomen bare. A gel will be placed on your tummy and a scanner taken back and forth until an image is brought up on the screen.

If you are around 18-20 weeks, it is very possible you will be told whether it is a boy or girl - although it isn`t 100% accurate so be prepared for a name change at the birth just in case. Baby doesn`t always play this game though and will sometimes lie in such a way that the technician is unable to tell what the gender will be.

Ultrascans are given for many reasons including:
-determining how far into pregnancy you are
-whether the placenta is creating a healthy environment for the baby
-exact location of the placenta and baby during amniocentesis testing.

There is more information on ultrasound testing at the pregnant-tips site - look under "pregnant tests - ultrasound" tips.

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