

During the procedure, your doctor or ultrasound technician - known as a sonographer - will: It’s noninvasive and won’t hurt you or your baby, though it may cause you some discomfort if the technician needs to press down a little harder at times.Įxpect the ultrasound to take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. This transabdominal scan relies on a transducer that moves over your abdomen to display 2D images of your developing baby. There’s nothing you need to do to prepare for the 16-week ultrasound. address any complications you may be having, such as bleeding.look for fetal conditions such as heart abnormalities, Down syndrome, or spina bifida.check for multiples if they suspect you might be carrying twins, triplets, or more.more closely monitor your pregnancy if you’re at high risk of certain conditions.do an initial check if you missed the earlier viability ultrasound.This ultrasound checks for overall fetal development and is sometimes called the “anatomy scan.”īut aside from the two standard ultrasounds, your doctor may schedule additional screenings to: Then the next ultrasound is typically between 18 and 20 weeks. Your first ultrasound will usually occur between 8 and 14 weeks to listen for a heartbeat to confirm that you’re pregnant and to estimate a due date. While it’s typical to have two ultrasounds during a standard pregnancy, you may have more - whether due to your own risk factors or your doctor’s desire to more closely monitor the baby’s progress.Ī 16-week ultrasound isn’t standard - but don’t let it worry you! Look at it as an opportunity to get more glimpses of baby.
