When you receive the news that you are pregnant, one of the first things you have to do is make an appointment with your gynecologist. Depending on whether you have private insurance or Social Security, they will give you one date or another to perform the first ultrasound in which you will see your baby. During a normal and low-risk pregnancy, three ultrasounds will be performed by Social Security; one for each trimester of pregnancy. In the case of going to your private insurance, it is normal to have monthly ultrasounds, which can be a relief for pregnant women.
Every ultrasound has a function. Limiting them to only three per pregnancy is a result of the long waiting lists that exist in medical consultations and by protocol. In a normal pregnancy, it is not necessary to expose the baby to more ultrasounds. Nevertheless many women agree that some more should be done. Especially because of the tranquility that listening to and seeing your baby supposes during pregnancy. Let's see what doctors study in each ultrasound:
First trimester ultrasound: date determination
It is done between the 11th to 14th week of pregnancy. In her the time of pregnancy will be confirmed and the heart of the embryo will be heard. It will also be possible to distinguish if it is a multiple pregnancy. The doctor will look at the position of the placenta as well as the measurements of the embryo, which is known as CRL.
In this ultrasound Nuchal translucency measurements are taken. This performs a very important test: the screening for chromosopathies. In addition, early abnormalities can be detected in the embryo, as well as uterine problems or other maternal pathologies that could compromise the health and well-being of both during pregnancy.
Second trimester ultrasound: morphological ultrasound
It is the most important and safe ultrasound that mothers or future moms have been the most nervous to. It must be done between week 18 and 22 of pregnancy. In this test all the baby's organs and systems are studied for problems or abnormalities. Also, and if the baby is in a good position, female and male genitalia can be distinguished.
Third trimester ultrasound: last before delivery
If all goes well and the doctor does not advise any more, this will be the last time you see your baby through a monitor. In this ultrasound The levels of amniotic fluid will be evaluated as well as the quality of the placenta and the position of the baby. When done between weeks 32-36, the baby should already be head down. If not, don't worry, you still have time.
After the ultrasounds the next test to perform will be monitoring, where in addition to measuring contractions from approximately 38 weeks, the baby's heart will be heard. There are few times when you can see your baby through Social Security. There are centers where paying you can expand the number of ultrasounds and even do some in 4D.