3 Tips for Preparing for Your First Pregnancy Ultrasound

As a pregnant mother, there isn’t much more exciting than getting to see the little bun in your oven through the use of an ultrasound. Depending on your pregnancy, you may get one ultrasound throughout your pregnancy or you may receive multiple ultrasounds to check on both your health and the baby’s health. While ultrasounds are not a painful medical procedure, you may find that you have a better experience if you have a good understanding of ultrasounds and why they’re necessary before you have your appointment. To help with this, here are three tips for preparing for your first experience with an ultrasound during pregnancy.

Understanding Both Fetal Ultrasound Types

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two main types of ultrasounds that you may have during a pregnancy. The first is called transabdominal while the second is called transvaginal. As you may be able to tell by their names, the transabdominal ultrasound is done over the abdomen. With the transvaginal ultrasound, the imaging is gone through the vagina. The decision for which type of ultrasound to be done will depend on things like the baby’s position, the type of images needed and other variables.

Preparing for Each Type

Your preparation for your ultrasound will vary depending on the type of ultrasound you’re getting. Baby Center shares that if you’re getting an abdominal scan, you’ll be required to come to your appointment with a full bladder in order to push your uterus higher and get better images of the baby. However, if you’re getting a transvaginal scan, you’ll need to have an empty bladder because a full bladder can make it more difficult to see the baby from that angle.

Regardless of the type of scan you’re getting, it’s a good idea to wear a separate top and bottom rather than a dress or jumper so you don’t have to get completely undressed for the imaging. An abdominal ultrasound will necessitate your stomach to be easily available to the ultrasound technician while a transvaginal scan will require you to remove the bottom half of your attire. While you will be covered by a sheet or drape for modesty, the removal of clothing on your lower half is necessary for the transvaginal scan to be done.

Know What the Tech’s Looking For

An ultrasound can done during pregnancy for any number of reasons. However, there are a few common reasons that every pregnant woman should get an ultrasound. According to WhatToExpect.com, ultrasounds can be completed to listen to the fetal heartbeat, monitor fetal growth and development, locate the placenta and umbilical cord and more. By knowing what your specific ultrasound is being done for, you can better prepare yourself for what you may or may not be able to see within the scan.
Getting an ultrasound is a great way to check on the progress of your pregnancy and your unborn child in order to ensure everything is going how it should. Use the tips mentioned above if you’re nervous or unsure about what your ultrasound will entail and to help you be more prepared for this beautiful experience of motherhood.