{"id":20504,"date":"2026-07-14T15:07:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T20:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/?p=20504"},"modified":"2026-07-14T15:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T20:22:15","slug":"pregnancy-ultrasounds-what-to-expect-at-every-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/pregnancy-ultrasounds-what-to-expect-at-every-stage\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnancy Ultrasounds: What to Expect at Every Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

You’ve seen the two pink lines and started navigating the ups and downs of early pregnancy. But for many moms-to-be, it doesn’t truly feel real until that first ultrasound. An ultrasound is a routine prenatal test that lets your provider see how your baby is developing and is the first peek at the little life growing inside you.<\/p>\n

Most pregnancies include two-three routine ultrasounds, but the exact number can depend on your health history, how the pregnancy is progressing and what your provider needs to check along the way.<\/p>\n

Ultrasounds are a normal, safe and routine part of prenatal care.<\/strong> They use sound waves rather than radiation to help your care team make sure everything is on track.<\/p>\n

Michael Leonardi, MD<\/a>, maternal fetal specialist, shares more about ultrasound milestones in each trimester<\/a>, so you know why it\u2019s done and what your provider is looking for.<\/p>\n

First Trimester Ultrasounds<\/h2>\n

For most moms, the first ultrasound happens during the first trimester, usually around six-eight weeks. Some people have an earlier or later ultrasound if they have symptoms, have a history of irregular menstrual cycles, have used fertility care or need closer monitoring.<\/p>\n

At this stage, the type of ultrasound you receive will depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Your provider will typically start with an abdominal ultrasound, which is performed over the abdomen using a handheld device that glides across your skin with gel. If you are earlier in your pregnancy, your provider may perform a transvaginal ultrasound, where a probe will be gently placed in your vagina to get a clearer view of your baby, who will still be very small.<\/p>\n

At this ultrasound, you\u2019ll be able to hear your baby\u2019s heartbeat, see their head and body, and sometimes even tiny arms and legs.<\/p>\n

Your provider will measure your baby\u2019s length from their head to their rump, called crown-rump length, to help determine their gestational age as well as provide a more accurate due date. They will also listen to your baby\u2019s heart rate as well as measure the gestational sac, a fluid-filled sac that surrounds the embryo.<\/p>\n

Your provider may also measure a small pocket of fluid at the back of your baby’s neck to help assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome. This is called a nuchal translucency (NT) measurement. This ultrasound typically takes about 20-30 minutes.<\/p>\n

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Second Trimester Ultrasounds<\/h2>\n

By the second trimester, your baby has grown tremendously and so have the details your provider can see on an ultrasound. This is when you’ll likely have the anatomy scan, the most detailed routine ultrasound of pregnancy and one of the biggest milestones for many expecting parents.<\/p>\n

20-Week Anatomy Scan<\/h3>\n

Usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks, the anatomy scan ultrasound is a detailed, head-to-toe check of your baby’s growth and development. For most moms, this ultrasound will be done over your abdomen, allowing the care team to assess your baby in real time. Some women may receive a transvaginal ultrasound to measure the length of your cervix, which can help identify if you are at an increased risk for early delivery.<\/p>\n

During this ultrasound, your provider will carefully examine your baby’s:<\/p>\n