Fetal Ultrasound

Obstetric Ultrasound, Pregnancy Ultrasound, Sonogram, Fetal, Ultrasound, Fetal, Ultrasound, Obstetric, Ultrasound, Pregnancy

What To Think About

• Normal fetal ultrasound results do not guarantee a normal, healthy baby.
• Your doctor may recommend additional tests or procedures if the results of your fetal ultrasound are not normal.
• Your husband or partner may be encouraged to be present during the fetal ultrasound test. A photograph or videotape of the ultrasound image of the fetus is sometimes available to the parents.
• Your due date may be changed based on an ultrasound done in early pregnancy if the ultrasound predicts a different date, based on fetal size and development.
• Ultrasounds do not always show birth defects.
• In the third trimester, fetal ultrasound does not accurately determine fetal age or weight.
• The effects of prolonged fetal ultrasound exposure have not been determined; therefore, Health Canada does not recommend fetal ultrasound for non-medical reasons, such as for identifying the sex of the fetus or as personal keepsakes.
• Three-dimensional (3-D) fetal ultrasound is being tested for use in evaluating fetal abnormalities. It is not yet widely available.
• Doppler ultrasound (or duplex scanning) uses reflected sound waves to estimate the speed and direction of blood as it flows to the placenta and within the fetus. For more information, see the medical test Doppler Ultrasound.

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: July 20, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.