Ultrasound - What Really Is a Sonogram?

An ultrasound is also known as a sonogram. With sonogram pictures, high frequency sound waves are transmitted through a woman's body. The sound waves will paint a picture like the way that sonar can help the Navy see the bottom of the ocean. A woman may be wondering about whether or not an ultrasound is safe, but she can be assured that it is because the sound waves will not cause harm to either mom or baby.

The first time a woman has an ultrasound is the first time she goes to see her obstetrician. However, not every obstetrician will do that. Typically, a woman has her first ultrasound when she is around 20 weeks pregnant. By this time, the woman is five months pregnant, and this is the time when the baby can be thoroughly examined. The doctor will check over things like the size, the heart, and then begin to check over certain things like the size of the organs. Another thing that the doctor will check is to see if the baby is a boy or a girl because by now, many things about the baby can be clearly seen by a trained professional. After that first ultrasound check at 20 weeks, the doctor may want to look again at 30 weeks just to make sure that the baby is still developing as he or she should.

An exciting part of being pregnant is to get the chance to see the baby that a woman is carrying inside of her body. With a ultrasound, sound waves are used to allow a medical professional to check the baby to make sure everything is developing normally. Though a woman may get her first ultrasound when she goes to see her doctor the first time, that is really up to the doctor. Most women do not get to see the baby until their 20th week.

An ultrasound is harmless and painless, and an exciting thing because it is when a mom can see her baby. For the expecting parents this is one of the most significant experience before their baby arrives. To see their little treasure and hear her heart beat is priceless. The ultrasound is an amazing tool, it has completely changed the opportunities to observe the growing new lives, and also it's a fantastic option to see the very first pictures of a baby who will be part of a new family.