A pregnancy ultrasound is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to image the developing baby as well as the mother’s reproductive organs. The average number of ultrasounds varies with each pregnancy

An ultrasound, also called a sonogram, can help monitor normal fetal development and screen for any potential problems. Along with a standard ultrasound, there are a number of more advanced ultrasounds — including a 3-D ultrasound, a 4-D ultrasound, and a fetal echocardiography, which is an ultrasound that looks in detail at the fetus’ heart.

An ultrasound can be used for a variety of reasons during pregnancy. Your doctor may also order more ultrasounds if they detected a problem in a previous ultrasound or blood test. Ultrasounds may also be done for nonmedical reasons, such as to produce images for the parents or to determine the sex of the baby. While ultrasound technology is safe for both mother and child, healthcare practitioners discourage the use of ultrasounds when there is no medical reason or benefit.

In the first trimester of pregnancy (weeks one to 12), ultrasounds may be done to: confirm pregnancy, check the fetal heartbeat,determine the gestational age of the baby and estimate a due date, check for multiple pregnancies, examine the placenta, uterus, ovaries, and cervix, diagnose an ectopic pregnancy (when the fetus does not attach to the uterus) or miscarriage, look for any abnormal growth in the fetus.

In the second trimester (12 to 24 weeks) and the third trimester (24 to 40 weeks or birth), an ultrasound may be done to: monitor the fetus’ growth and position (breech, transverse, cephalic, or optimal), determine the baby’s sex, confirm multiple pregnancies, look at the placenta to check for problems, such as placenta previa (when the placenta covers the cervix) and placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterus prior to delivery), check for characteristics of Down syndrome (normally done between 13 and 14 weeks), check for congenital abnormalities or birth defects, examine the fetus for structural abnormalities or blood flow problems, monitor the levels of amniotic fluid, determine if the fetus is getting enough oxygen, diagnose problems with the ovaries or uterus, such as pregnancy tumors, measure the length of the cervix, guide other tests, such as amniocentesis, confirm an intrauterine death.

During an ultrasound, you lie down on an examination table or bed. An ultrasound technician applies a special gel to your abdomen and pelvic area. The gel is water-based, so it shouldn’t leave marks on your clothes or skin. The gel helps the sound waves travel properly. Next, the technician places a small wand, called a transducer, onto your belly. They move the transducer to capture black and white images onto the ultrasound screen. The technician may also take measurements of the image on the screen. They may ask you to move or hold your breath while they capture images. The technician then checks to see if the necessary images were captured and if they are clear. Then, the technician wipes off the gel and you can empty your bladder.