2D Ultrasound – Understand How This Important Pregnancy Tool Works Doctors Use 2D Ultrasound To View Baby

2D Ultrasound of 28 week old Fetus

Ultrasounds are standard medical protocol for anyone who is pregnant. Not only does a 2D Ultrasound allow a medical professional to take a much-needed look at the developing baby, it allows parents-to-be a first glimpse of the expected bundle of joy, making it as exciting as it is necessary.

The 2d standard ultrasounds rely on sound waves that are “bounced” off of objects inside of the mother-to-be to produce an image of the growing fetus. Completely safe and reliable, ultrasounds take about 20-30 minutes to perform and are a reliable tool for determining baby’s age and due date, for identifying multiple pregnancies, for monitoring growth and movement, even for checking for obvious birth defects.

It is important to have an ultrasound early on in the pregnancy. In fact, most healthcare providers perform standard ultrasounds during the first trimester of pregnancy. During these first months of pregnancy, the ultrasound is used to estimate the number of weeks left in the pregnancy, or the baby’s expected due date. And, somewhere around 10-13 weeks of pregnancy, a second ultrasound may be recommended so medical professionals can view the baby’s brain and spinal cord development.

Oftentimes, an ultrasound is again performed during the second trimester of pregnancy. It is routine and is this time the ultrasound is used to gauge the baby’s size and growth and to again monitor any problems.

And, don’t be surprised if your healthcare provider performs another 2-d ultrasound during the final trimester of the pregnancy. This ultrasound checks the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, as well as again gauging the baby’s size, movement and overall sense of well-being.

2-d ultrasounds are considered to be level 1. Oftentimes, if complications or birth defects are suspected, or if a healthcare provider has reason to believe the mother-to-be or the unborn child are at risk, a 3-d ultrasound will be performed. Unlike the level 1 or 2d ultrasound, the 3-d ultrasound provides a three-dimensional image and can be useful for clarifying suspicions early on.