Understanding Your Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule

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Your pregnancy ultrasound schedule will typically vary a great deal depending on your doctor’s preferences, as well as any risk factors you may have. For example, women with certain medical conditions, a predisposition to genetic problems or pregnancy complications may have ultrasounds performed more regularly. There is no specific recommendation in place for the number of ultrasounds you should receive during your pregnancy, so it’s really up to your practitioner when you receive an ultrasound. Still, most women receive at least one ultrasound for each trimester of their pregnancy.

Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule: First Trimester
Many practitioners order an early pregnancy ultrasound between 6 to 10 weeks to check for a heart beat and confirm a viable pregnancy. Your first trimester ultrasound is performed for these reasons:

• Confirm the pregnancy is viable
• Confirm there is a heartbeat
• Measure the gestational age
• Look for ectopic or molar pregnancies
• Assess any abnormal gestation conditions

Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule: Second Trimester
For many women, their second trimester ultrasound is the most exciting because it’s during this period the baby’s gender is determined. There are other important reasons to perform an ultrasound during the second trimester as well, including:

• Diagnose any fetal malformation
• Look for structural abnormalities
• Confirm the existence of multiple pregnancies
• Verify gestational age and growth
• Confirm a possible intrauterine death
• Identify hydramnios (excessive amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (reduced amniotic fluid)
• Check for characteristics of Down syndrome (weeks 13-14)
• Check for congenital malformations (weeks 18-20)

Pregnancy Ultrasound Schedule: Third Trimester
You may or may not receive an ultrasound during your third trimester as many women who have healthy pregnancies do not need ultrasounds during this time. Still, your doctor may order an ultrasound for the following reasons:

• Identify the location of the placenta
• Confirm possible intrauterine death
• Observe fetal presentation in the final month of pregnancy
• Observe fetal movements
• Identify any uterine or pelvic abnormalities of the mother that may cause complications during birth