In this Article

• Is prenatal ultrasound safe?
• When is an ultrasound performed during pregnancy?
• How should I prepare for a prenatal ultrasound?
• What happens during the test?
• What happens after a prenatal ultrasound?
• Will insurance pay for the ultrasound?
• Prenatal Ultrasound Index

What Happens During the Test?

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown.

You will lie on a padded examining table during the test.

A small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the skin over your abdomen. The gel does not harm your skin or stain your clothes.

A small device, called a transducer, is gently applied against the skin on your abdomen. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the body, which reflect off internal structures, including your baby. The sound waves or echoes that reflect back are received by the transducer and transformed into a picture on a screen. These pictures can be printed out or sometimes recorded on a videotape.

There is virtually no discomfort during the test. If a full bladder is required for the test, you may feel some discomfort when the probe is applied.

You may be asked to hold your breath briefly several times.

The ultrasound test takes about 30 minutes to complete.

What Happens After the Test?

The gel will be wiped off your skin and your health care provider will discuss the test results with you.

Will Insurance Pay For the Ultrasound?

Insurance will pay for the ultrasound if it is deemed medically necessary. If you have an ultrasound that is not medically necessary (for example, to simply see the baby or find out the baby's sex), your insurance company may not pay for the ultrasound.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy) - Learn what to expect during the three phases of pregnancy (1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester). Find out what changes in your body to expect, and how your baby will develop week by week.
• Pregnancy Planning - The goals of pregnancy planning are to create a healthy environment for the fetus and to prevent birth defects and other pregnancy related problems.
• Birth Defects - Read about birth defects, the leading cause of infant mortality during the first year. Causes of birth defects include ingestion of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, genetic, hereditary, or environmental factors.

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