Your care during pregnancy

Ultrasounds during pregnancy

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).

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.

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.

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:

Previous ( https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/health/children/pregnancy/antenatal-information/your-care-during-pregnancy/routine-tests-during-pregnancy )
Next ( https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/health/children/pregnancy/antenatal-information/your-care-during-pregnancy/common-discomforts-in-pregnancy )

Acknowledgments: Queensland Health acknowledges the Metro North Hospital and Health Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, for permission to use the content of their GLOW antenatal education resource.