For every pregnant woman, the first ultrasound, which usually occurs about 12 Week Baby Scan into your pregnancy, confirms that you are indeed carrying a child, in addition to the positive pregnancy test and severe morning sickness.

The experience of having your first ultrasound may bring on a wide range of emotions, just like any other major life event. A variety of emotions, including excitement and anxiety, may arise. It’s possible you’re beaming from ear to ear or wiping away a few tears. It’s OK to feel as you like.

Getting prenatal care is crucial. Together, you and your doctor can learn a lot from it. Don’t worry if you have questions about the scan. The information got you covered.

What’s the deal with that number of weeks?

The 12-week ultrasound is valuable for ensuring that you and your baby receive the best possible prenatal care. More specifically, it gives them access to the following:

Predicted completion date
Data on the expected number of newborns
Details on the possible occurrence of genetic illnesses
Until recently, doctors were hesitant to offer an ultrasound before 12 weeks of pregnancy unless the mother-to-be was at increased risk for specific issues.
This may not be your first time viewing a baby on a large screen since physicians today may prescribe ultrasounds as early as 6 or 7 weeks.
By week 12, your baby will be large enough for your doctor to notice a lot of vital facts that might not have shown up previously.

What Will You Find in a 12 Week Baby Scan?

Your doctor will do the following during the ultrasound performed at the 12-week mark:

If this is your first pregnancy, you should probably make some educated guesses about the gestational age and expected due date.
Assess for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome
Tally the unborn babies (singleton, twins, etc.)
Check the baby’s heart rate regularly.
Even though you probably want to know the gender of your unborn child badly, scans currently cannot reliably provide this information. You’ll need to schedule an anatomy scan (about 20 weeks) to learn more about your baby’s organ development.

How to Prepare For a 12 Week Baby Scan?

You should have a full bladder during the 12 Week Baby Scan ultrasound. This improves the transmission of sound waves, producing sharper visuals. To guarantee this, drink two or three (8-ounce) glasses of water during your ultrasound and make sure your bladder is empty. It would be best if you also had whatever bloodwork your doctor ordered before your ultrasound.

What Kinds Of Diagnostic Checks Are Performed During 12 Week Baby Scan?

Screening for Down syndrome, trisomy 13, and trisomy 18 can begin at 12 weeks (Edwards syndrome). Nuchal translucency screening describes this procedure.

There has to be a combined blood and ultrasound measurement of the fluid at the back of the baby’s neck.

As this is not a diagnostic test, it cannot prove the existence of certain diseases. As an alternative, the scan estimates the baby’s risk of having one of these genetic abnormalities based on the following:

Final Words

Seeing your newborn, even on a screen, for the first time may be an emotional event. Although this is just one of many important life events, it still marks a significant achievement for many. At approximately the 12-week mark, you may get your first ultrasound. After that, you will know the expected number of children, when you could give birth, and whether or not you need to be vigilant for any genetic disorders.

As your healthcare providers, we will be more equipped to advise you on how to proceed with the remainder of your pregnancy now that they know this information.