Your care during pregnancy
Ultrasounds during pregnancy
What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create an image (picture) of your baby. They are used to look at your developing baby.
An ultrasound is considered safe for both mother and baby because it does not use ionising radiation (it is different to an x-ray).
Why are ultrasounds done in pregnancy?
- to check the number of baby/babies present
- to work out the age of baby (in a dating scan)
- to check the baby's growth and physical development
- to monitor the pregnancy if there have been complications – such as bleeding, fluid loss, hypertension (high blood pressure) or gestational diabetes
- to check the position of the placenta and assess amount of amniotic fluid around the baby
- to monitor placental health and function.
When do I need an ultrasound?
Your doctor or midwife will advise you when an ultrasound may be recommended. The following ultrasounds are common in pregnancy:
- 8–9 weeks dating scan – some women choose to have an early ultrasound around 8-9 weeks. This may be to confirm the due date where the last menstrual period is unknown, or for reassurance.
- 11–13 weeks first trimester screen – an ultrasound (also known as a nuchal translucency scan) combined with a blood test (PAPP-A) is recommended for all pregnant women. This is a screening test which will calculate your estimated risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. It is also commonly used to calculate your estimated due date.
- 18–20 weeks morphology scan – an important ultrasound to check for major (physical) abnormalities in your baby. Most parents know this scan as 'the one where we may find out the baby’s gender'.
- In a normal, low-risk pregnancy, the list above is usually all you will need. Extra ultrasounds beyond this may be recommended for high-risk pregnancies and/or to check on the baby's growth and wellbeing.
Where do I go for my ultrasounds?
You will need a referral from your doctor or midwife.
You can have your ultrasounds done at an imaging facility in the community. In some cases, you may be referred to the hospital for your ultrasound.
There may be a charge for your ultrasound depending on the place you go to. Some will bulk bill through Medicare.
In this guide:
- Antenatal visits
- Routine tests during pregnancy
- Ultrasounds during pregnancy
- Common discomforts in pregnancy