If you have an ultrasound in the first trimester, it's usually too early to get a good look at your fetus's organs and limbs. Ultrasound allows your provider to check your baby's health and development, monitor your pregnancy, and look for any physical abnormalities. Ask whether you can get pictures to take home, either printed out or on a disc. Your provider will discuss the results with you. You can watch the process on the screen, if you like. The sonographer will record your baby's measurements and take still pictures or video for your provider to interpret.Bone is white, fluid is black, and soft tissue organs appear as shades of gray. The transducer transmits sound waves, and a computer translates the resulting echoes into pictures on a video monitor, making your baby appear on the screen before your eyes. The sonographer slides the transducer (the handheld device, which is about the size of a bar of soap) back and forth over your stomach.An assistant will put gel over your belly to help the sound waves move more easily.This helps push your uterus up out of the pelvis and makes the images clearer.) You'll lie on your back on an examination table with your abdomen exposed.The sonographer records pertinent information and takes pictures or video for your provider to interpret.Bone is white, fluid is black, and soft-tissue organs appear as shades of gray. The transducer transmits sound waves, and a computer translates the resulting echoes into pictures on a video monitor, making your baby appear on the screen before your eyes.The pressure of the wand may feel uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be painful. The transducer is covered with a latex sheath and is lubricated. The sonographer will insert a wand-shaped transducer into your vagina.You'll lie on your back with your feet in stirrups (like you do for a pelvic exam).You'll empty your bladder and undress from the waist down (or wear a hospital gown).What happens during a pregnancy ultrasound? You can also find out your baby's sex at the mid-pregnancy ultrasound if you want (and if you haven't already found out from NIPT or another prenatal test). This is sometimes called an anatomy ultrasound, because it evaluates your baby's anatomy. It's standard to have just one ultrasound during pregnancy – a mid-pregnancy transabdominal ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks. Not all women have a first-trimester ultrasound. Transvaginal ultrasound also makes it easier to diagnose early pregnancy problems, such as a miscarriage or a molar or ectopic pregnancy. Transvaginal ultrasound can provide better images in early pregnancy compared to a transabdominal ultrasound (which uses a transducer on the outside of your abdomen). In the early stages of pregnancy, you may have a transvaginal ultrasound, which uses a wand-shaped transducer that's put in your vagina. Your provider may want you to have an early ultrasound if you've had a previous pregnancy complication, such as a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. When you call your healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment, ask whether you'll be having an ultrasound.

More and more doctors have ultrasound equipment in their office and are doing ultrasounds for their patients during the first trimester – as early as 6 to 10 weeks.

4d ultrasound video at 10 weeks