The first-trimester ultrasound, done between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation, 1ST Trimester Of Pregnancy is often an emotionally engaging experience. You will see a small form, a tiny beating heart: your future baby! Make the most of this unique moment!
When will I spend the first ultrasound, “the dating ultrasound”?
Most pregnant women undergo first ultrasound between 11 and 13 weeks gestation.
The first ultrasound allows it to know precisely the date of early pregnancy?
This ultrasound is aimed, among others, to date the beginning of your pregnancy and thereby estimate the date of delivery.
Pregnancy is counted in weeks gestation. Thus, the starting point for calculating the duration of a pregnancy is the first day of your last period. It is indeed easier to determine that date to know the date of ovulation or design accurately.
But in the case of an irregular cycle or taking the oral contraceptive, estimate the date of early pregnancy from the last menstrual period may also be random.
Ultrasound is then used to precisely date the beginning of pregnancy and if the date provided by the review differs from the first day of your last period, it is the date obtained by ultrasound is used. It will not be changed during pregnancy.
They say the dating ultrasound refers to more or less 3 days: in the first quarter, all babies grow at the same rate. Measurements by the sonographers, therefore, possible to date, close to 3 days, the exact beginning of pregnancy.
What to remember: Ultrasound is precisely dated the beginning of your pregnancy!
What also used that first ultrasound?
Ultrasound can verify that the egg is implanted in the uterus and thus to exclude a case of ectopic pregnancy.
It also aims to ensure that your baby’s heart beat and it is developing normally. Its objective is also to detect misstatements. Indeed, she can see the head, members (including hands and feet) and some organs. Thus, it can detect the existence of a major problem at this early first stage of pregnancy.
In recent years, devices have gained so much precision in the dating ultrasound is also called “morphological first-trimester ultrasound.”
The second-trimester ultrasound between 22 and 24 weeks gestation, yet provide more details on the baby morphology.
The first ultrasound will also show if you are expecting a baby or twins or more. It always helps to know early if there is a twin pregnancy. You can see more easily if the two future babies share the same placenta and the same pocket.
This early discovery to better prepare for childbirth and ensuring medical supervision.
How is this ultrasound?
Ultrasound lasts about ten minutes. It is performed using a transcutaneous sensor, that is to say on the skin. The doctor applies the gel on the belly to encourage the transmission of ultrasound and then moves a probe on the abdomen to observe, on a screen, the image of your baby. Most often asked to drink well before the meeting so that the bladder is full and have better visibility on the screen.
If your uterus is retroverted (leaning backward) or if you are overweight, it is possible that the transvaginal probe is used which can be as close to the baby. This review, usually painless, has the advantage of being without bladder is full.
With this ultrasound, you will know exactly how many weeks pregnant. This date of early pregnancy listed on the report of ultrasound and pregnancy monitoring package.
What is the size of my baby at the time of the first ultrasound?
We measure your baby from crown to rump. This measure, called craniocaudal length is very accurate in the first quarter. After the 13th week, it is possible that your baby curls or stretches, so that this becomes less reliable.
At this stage of pregnancy, another measure, that of the biparietal diameter is then the best way to measure your baby. This is the distance between the two parietal bones that form the two “sides” of the baby’s skull:
At 10 weeks, there is 3 cm,
to 12 weeks 5 to 6 cm,
and 7 cm at 13 weeks
A third and final measure is the length of the baby’s femur.
Did we can measure the thickness of nuchal translucency in the first ultrasound?
nuchal translucency measurement is usually around the 12th week to estimate the risk of trisomy 21 and other major chromosomal abnormality. Rest assured, these risks are low!
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Anna Leake is a health blogger that focuses on topics related to nutrition, fitness, and mental health. She was born in New York City but at age 6 moved to the Midwest where she spent her childhood exploring nature with friends and family. Anna graduated from University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with degrees in psychology & human development.
