Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImportanceScreening for Down SyndromeWhat to ExpectQuestions to AskAdditional Ultrasounds
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Importance
Screening for Down Syndrome
What to Expect
Questions to Ask
Additional Ultrasounds
Ultrasound (often calledsonography, since it relies on sound waves) is a non-invasive, low-risk imaging method that can be used to establish your due date and confirm the number of developing fetuses. A healthcare provider may screen forDown syndromeor rule out anectopic pregnancy.
This article talks about what to expect at your 12-week ultrasound, its importance, and why there are relatively no risks to you or your child.It also explains the types of ultrasound procedures, questions to ask, and ways to prepare for your appointment.
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Benefits
However, a 12-week ultrasound may be used to:
While most women usually have two ultrasounds—one around 12 weeks gestation and one around 20 weeks—your healthcare provider may perform just one.If only one ultrasound is performed, it will take place at around 20 weeks in order to:
In some cases, certain conditions likeplacental insufficiency(leading to poor oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus) may be identified early and better managed throughout the pregnancy. This can inform care decisions and planning, such as with acesarean section delivery.
Miscarriage RiskMost miscarriages happen within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, often due to genetic abnormalities. An ultrasound may be used to confirm a miscarriage. It also may identify an emerging condition that can present a later miscarriage risk, such as a placental problem.
Miscarriage Risk
Most miscarriages happen within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, often due to genetic abnormalities. An ultrasound may be used to confirm a miscarriage. It also may identify an emerging condition that can present a later miscarriage risk, such as a placental problem.
Why You May Need an Ultrasound Test and What to Expect
The probability, or chance, is based on three criteria:
12-Week Screening Test AccuracyThe first-trimester screening’s detection rate is about 96% accurate for Down syndrome and is somewhat higher for pregnancies with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18. A nuchal translucency ultrasound can be done without bloodwork, but the detection rate is lower at 70%.
12-Week Screening Test Accuracy
The first-trimester screening’s detection rate is about 96% accurate for Down syndrome and is somewhat higher for pregnancies with trisomy 13 or trisomy 18. A nuchal translucency ultrasound can be done without bloodwork, but the detection rate is lower at 70%.
What You Need to Know About a Twin Pregnancy
What Happens During the 12-Week Ultrasound?
Your healthcare provider will likely perform atransabdominal ultrasound, which transmits waves through your abdomen. In some cases, a transvaginal ultrasound may be performed to capture more direct or detailed images. A scan usually takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Transabdominal Ultrasound
During a transabdominal ultrasound, you will be asked to lie down on an exam table—either in a procedure room or your healthcare provider’s office—with your abdomen exposed from your ribs to your hips. You may be asked to arrive at your appointment with a full bladder, which will create a window to the womb area.
When the test is ready to begin, your healthcare provider will:
Transvaginal Ultrasound
During a transvaginal ultrasound, you will be asked to undress from the waist down, or you may even be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown. Unlike the transabdominal ultrasound, you will be asked to empty your bladder before the test begins.
When you are ready to begin the test, you will be asked to lie down on an exam table with your feet in stirrups, much like you would for a pelvic exam.
A wand-shaped transducer covered in a protective sheath will be inserted through the vagina for an internal view of the uterus. This should not be painful, but you may feel discomfort as you would during a pelvic exam.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
Your healthcare provider will gather a great deal of information from the 12-week (or later 20-week) ultrasound images. Be sure to ask about:
You’ll also want to discuss the risk of birth defects due to your health or genetic history, or what steps will be needed to protect your health in the case of ahigh-risk pregnancy.
Fetal Sex Markers and 12-Week UltrasoundsUltrasound is still the most common method to learn the sex of a developing fetus, and it is about 79% accurate at 12 weeks. However, the 12-week ultrasound doesn’t approach the same accuracy as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) until about 14 weeks. The NIPT requires only a blood sample from the pregnant person and is often used to identify sex-specific risks to the fetus likeDuchenne muscular dystrophy.
Fetal Sex Markers and 12-Week Ultrasounds
Ultrasound is still the most common method to learn the sex of a developing fetus, and it is about 79% accurate at 12 weeks. However, the 12-week ultrasound doesn’t approach the same accuracy as non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) until about 14 weeks. The NIPT requires only a blood sample from the pregnant person and is often used to identify sex-specific risks to the fetus likeDuchenne muscular dystrophy.
What Is Genetic Testing?
While the above describes a standard 12-week or first-trimester ultrasound, there may be reasons for your healthcare provider to request additional scans.
If you experience bleeding or other concerning symptoms, your healthcare provider may order a limited ultrasound to quickly check for a specific issue. This could occur at any point during your pregnancy.
You may also be asked to undergo a specialized ultrasound or have more regular scans performed. These ultrasound scans are conducted in the same manner as the 12-week ultrasound but may examine the fetus in closer detail, with three-dimensional imaging.
In most cases, you can expect an additional routineultrasound at 18 to 22 weeks.
Potential Risks to Receiving an UltrasoundUltrasound relies on sound waves rather than radiation, which makes it safer than X-rays and other types of imaging. The Food & Drug Administration, along with professional organizations, confirm its benefits and safety for use during pregnancy. That said, ultrasound for non-medical purposes (like ‘keepsake’ videos) is discouraged.
Potential Risks to Receiving an Ultrasound
Ultrasound relies on sound waves rather than radiation, which makes it safer than X-rays and other types of imaging. The Food & Drug Administration, along with professional organizations, confirm its benefits and safety for use during pregnancy. That said, ultrasound for non-medical purposes (like ‘keepsake’ videos) is discouraged.
Summary
It’s common for a healthcare provider to order a 12-week ultrasound. This routine screening is usually done with a transducer wand placed at the abdomen to generate images based on sound waves that are used to assess the developing fetus.
The images can reveal the gestational age of the fetus and identify if there’s more than one. It can also be used to screen for Down syndrome, low birth weight, or placenta problems that can make the pregnancy high-risk. Speak with your healthcare provider if you have questions about your ultrasound or your results.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.AIUM-ACR-ACOG-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations.J Ultrasound Med. 2018 Nov;37(11):E13-E24. doi:10.1002/jum.14831.Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Ultrasounds during pregnancy: How many and how often?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound exams.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pregnancy complications.Johns Hopkins Medicine.First trimester screening, nuchal translucency and NIPT.MedlinePlus.Fetal echocardiography.Sharma D, Shastri S, Sharma P.Intrauterine growth restriction: Antenatal and postnatal aspects.Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2016;10:CMPed.S40070. doi:10.4137/CMPed.S40070Abinader RR, Macdisi N, El Moudden I, Abuhamad A.First-trimester ultrasound diagnostic features of placenta accreta spectrum in low-implantation pregnancy.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.2022 Apr;59(4):457-464. doi:10.1002/uog.24828Johns Hopkins Medicine.High-risk pregnancy: What you need to know.Bowman-Smart H, Savulescu J, Gyngell C, Mand C, Delatycki MB.Sex selection and non-invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues.Prenat Diagn. 2020 Mar;40(4):398-407. doi:10.1002/pd.5555.Food & Drug Administration.Ultrasound Imaging.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.AIUM-ACR-ACOG-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations.J Ultrasound Med. 2018 Nov;37(11):E13-E24. doi:10.1002/jum.14831.Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Ultrasounds during pregnancy: How many and how often?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound exams.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pregnancy complications.Johns Hopkins Medicine.First trimester screening, nuchal translucency and NIPT.MedlinePlus.Fetal echocardiography.Sharma D, Shastri S, Sharma P.Intrauterine growth restriction: Antenatal and postnatal aspects.Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2016;10:CMPed.S40070. doi:10.4137/CMPed.S40070Abinader RR, Macdisi N, El Moudden I, Abuhamad A.First-trimester ultrasound diagnostic features of placenta accreta spectrum in low-implantation pregnancy.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.2022 Apr;59(4):457-464. doi:10.1002/uog.24828Johns Hopkins Medicine.High-risk pregnancy: What you need to know.Bowman-Smart H, Savulescu J, Gyngell C, Mand C, Delatycki MB.Sex selection and non-invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues.Prenat Diagn. 2020 Mar;40(4):398-407. doi:10.1002/pd.5555.Food & Drug Administration.Ultrasound Imaging.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
AIUM-ACR-ACOG-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations.J Ultrasound Med. 2018 Nov;37(11):E13-E24. doi:10.1002/jum.14831.Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Ultrasounds during pregnancy: How many and how often?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound exams.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pregnancy complications.Johns Hopkins Medicine.First trimester screening, nuchal translucency and NIPT.MedlinePlus.Fetal echocardiography.Sharma D, Shastri S, Sharma P.Intrauterine growth restriction: Antenatal and postnatal aspects.Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2016;10:CMPed.S40070. doi:10.4137/CMPed.S40070Abinader RR, Macdisi N, El Moudden I, Abuhamad A.First-trimester ultrasound diagnostic features of placenta accreta spectrum in low-implantation pregnancy.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.2022 Apr;59(4):457-464. doi:10.1002/uog.24828Johns Hopkins Medicine.High-risk pregnancy: What you need to know.Bowman-Smart H, Savulescu J, Gyngell C, Mand C, Delatycki MB.Sex selection and non-invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues.Prenat Diagn. 2020 Mar;40(4):398-407. doi:10.1002/pd.5555.Food & Drug Administration.Ultrasound Imaging.
AIUM-ACR-ACOG-SMFM-SRU Practice Parameter for the Performance of Standard Diagnostic Obstetric Ultrasound Examinations.J Ultrasound Med. 2018 Nov;37(11):E13-E24. doi:10.1002/jum.14831.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.Ultrasounds during pregnancy: How many and how often?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ultrasound exams.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Pregnancy complications.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.First trimester screening, nuchal translucency and NIPT.
MedlinePlus.Fetal echocardiography.
Sharma D, Shastri S, Sharma P.Intrauterine growth restriction: Antenatal and postnatal aspects.Clin Med Insights Pediatr. 2016;10:CMPed.S40070. doi:10.4137/CMPed.S40070
Abinader RR, Macdisi N, El Moudden I, Abuhamad A.First-trimester ultrasound diagnostic features of placenta accreta spectrum in low-implantation pregnancy.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.2022 Apr;59(4):457-464. doi:10.1002/uog.24828
Johns Hopkins Medicine.High-risk pregnancy: What you need to know.
Bowman-Smart H, Savulescu J, Gyngell C, Mand C, Delatycki MB.Sex selection and non-invasive prenatal testing: A review of current practices, evidence, and ethical issues.Prenat Diagn. 2020 Mar;40(4):398-407. doi:10.1002/pd.5555.
Food & Drug Administration.Ultrasound Imaging.
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