How Do Ultrasounds Work?
April 17, 2025
How Do Ultrasounds Work?
Finding out you're pregnant comes with a whirlwind of emotions. One of the most common and important tools used during pregnancy is the ultrasound. If you’re wondering how it works and what to expect, you're in the right place.
What Is a Pregnancy Ultrasound?
An ultrasound (also called a sonogram) is a safe, painless imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of your baby inside the womb. It helps doctors check on your baby’s growth and development and can offer reassurance that everything is going well.
How Does It Actually Work?
Ultrasounds use high-frequency sound waves, which are too high to be heard by the human ear. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the process works:
- The Transducer: This is a small handheld device that sends out sound waves and picks them back up when they bounce off structures in the body.
- The Gel: A special gel is applied to your belly to help the sound waves travel smoothly from the transducer into your body.
- The Sound Waves: As the sound waves hit the baby (and everything else inside), they bounce back. The machine collects these echoes and turns them into an image on a screen.
- The Image: The result is a real-time black-and-white image that shows your baby’s position, heartbeat, and movement.
Types of Pregnancy Ultrasounds
There are several kinds of ultrasounds you might experience during pregnancy:
- Transabdominal Ultrasound: The most common type—gel on the belly, transducer on top.
- Transvaginal Ultrasound: Often used in early pregnancy; the transducer is gently inserted into the vagina to get a closer look.
- 3D and 4D Ultrasounds: These offer more detailed images and even video. They’re often used to look more closely at facial features or detect certain conditions.
- Doppler Ultrasound: Used to measure blood flow and check the baby’s heart and placenta function.
When Are Ultrasounds Done?
Most women will have at least two standard ultrasounds during pregnancy:
- Dating Ultrasound (around 6–13 weeks): Confirms pregnancy, estimates due date, and checks for multiples.
- Anatomy Scan (around 18–22 weeks): A detailed look at baby’s organs, bones, and overall growth. This is when many parents find out the baby’s sex (if they want to!).
Additional ultrasounds may be recommended if there are specific concerns or complications.
Is It Safe?
Yes! Ultrasounds have been used safely in pregnancy for decades. They don’t use radiation like X-rays and are considered low risk for both mother and baby.
What Can You See?
Early on, you might just see a tiny flickering heartbeat. Later in pregnancy, ultrasounds can show your baby sucking their thumb, moving around, or even yawning! It’s one of the most exciting moments for many parents-to-be.
Finding out that your girlfriend is pregnant can be an overwhelming experience. Whether it’s a surprise or something you’ve both been anticipating, it often comes with a mix of emotions. But one thing is certain: You want to do everything you can to support her and the child, both financially and emotionally. ABC Women’s Clinic is here to help guide you through this time and provide free services and resources. Free Pregnancy Tests: We provide highly-sensitive urine pregnancy tests. Results are quickly delivered with privacy and confidentiality. Ultrasound: we provide free ultrasound services to confirm and date your pregnancy. Maternity and Baby Items ABC Women's Clinic has a Blessings Room, where you’ll find essential supplies such as clothing, diapers, and more. The Blessings Room is available to you throughout your pregnancy and until your child reaches 3 years old.
ABC Women's Clinic provides information on emergency contraception and other sexual health related issues. Levonorgestrel is emergency contraception used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. When making a healthy decision, it is necessary to be informed about the morning-after pill and the corresponding risk factors.(1),(2),(3) Do not take levonorgestrel if you are already pregnant. Levonorgestrel will not end a pregnancy that has already begun.(4)