The first signs of pregnancy bring unbridled delight to the parents-to-be. Most pregnancy tests are conducted by the medical examiner on the first day of your missed period or at least 21 days after the last time you had unprotected sex. Normally, if your pregnancy is confirmed, your doctor may recommend some routine tests and scans. You may visit an ultrasound clinic for your First Trimester Ultrasound. An ultrasound will be able to reveal the presence of the fetus and check for any anomalies in pregnancy.
When you search in your browser for “ultrasound near me,” you’ll get a number of options regarding ultrasound clinics and hospitals in your location. Do an in-depth search for the best ultrasound centers before making an appointment with them.
The First Trimester in Pregnancy
Usually, the pregnancy phase is studied by medical professionals in three phases, or trimesters. The earliest phase of pregnancy is called the first trimester. The first day of your last menstruation is counted as the beginning of the first trimester. It lasts till the end of the thirteenth week of pregnancy. It’s a time of great anticipation and of rapid change for both you and your baby. The conception happens within 3 to 5 days of the LMP. The embryonic phase occurs at 6–10 weeks. The fetal phase is usually 10–12 weeks.
Initial Signs of Pregnancy
Some expecting women may notice an unusual glow on their faces, while others may not feel any signs of pregnancy. One-fourth of the female population experiences some bleeding. This is not serious as it is a sign that the embryo has successfully implanted itself into the uterine wall. But excessive bleeding is a cause of serious concern as it may mean miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Blood tests and fetal echocardiography may be advised in addition to a transvaginal ultrasound.
Ultrasound of the First Trimester
A First Trimester Ultrasound is usually conducted by a skilled and experienced obstetrician or healthcare professional. It is performed anytime within the first 14 weeks after conception. But the best time period to undergo the very first ultrasound is within 6 to 8 weeks from the date of conception of the fetus (the date of last periods you had).Your doctor may or may not recommend this scan. Sometimes, gynecologists may suggest you go through it as a part of a standard evaluation of pregnancy. However, in cases of high-risk pregnancies, a first-trimester ultrasound is usually recommended to check for signs and symptoms of abnormalities such as vaginal bleeding or traces of fetal tissues in the reproductive passage work.
During the procedure, the healthcare technician uses a plastic transducer that transmits high-frequency sound waves through the uterus. The signals are reflected and decoded into an image format that can be seen on a screen.
Objectives of the Procedure
The reasons for performing a first-trimester ultrasound for a medical professional include:
- Look for medical signs of pregnancy.
- Establishing the location of the pregnancy, its viability, and the correct gestational age.
- To look for any potential abnormalities that may develop in the fetus while it grows.
Search for “ultrasound near me” in your mobile browser to explore the various sites pertaining to ultrasound facilities. Go for a multi-specialty healthcare center that hosts state-of-the-art machines and a team of highly experienced staff and technicians to successfully conduct an Ultrasonography.
It is very important to be well prepared for the procedure. Most women tend to abstain from transvaginal ultrasound and decline to go ahead with it. They fear that ultrasound in the early phase of pregnancy may pose potential harm to the fetus. But such speculations are thoroughly ruled out by gynecologists and sonographers. Transvaginal ultrasound during the first trimester is absolutely safe. You can also willingly go for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is an ectopic pregnancy?
It is a false kind of pregnancy in which the embryo gets implanted outside the uterus. About 6% of maternal deaths are due to undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies.
Q. What is fetal echocardiography?
This is a procedure to get a detailed picture of the baby’s heart. A normal fetal heart rate is within the range of 120-160 beats per minute. Irregular heartbeats may signify congenital heart diseases.
Q. What is LMP?
It stands for Last Menstrual Period.