When should I have fetal ultrasound ?

An ultrasound may be indicated at any time during pregnancy. A signed prescription from your doctor is required to make an appointment.

In the first trimester, an ultrasound can be indicated for various reasons, such as the determination of the exact stage of the pregnancy, bleeding problems, fetal viability and confirmation that the pregnancy is in the uterus and not in the fallopian tubes (ectopic pregnancy).

At the end of the first trimester between the 11 weeks and one day and 13 weeks and six days, the nuchal translucency assessment will be done. An ultrasound is also indicated if your doctor cannot hear the fetus’ heartbeat.

The morphological study of the fetus takes place between the 18th and the 22nd week.

This is a thorough and general exam of your future child that will confirm normalcy and also eliminates that the baby is a carrier of most abnormalities or malformations that are visible ultrasonically.

It is preferable to have this exam done at 19 or 20 weeks of gestation. This time period allows us to better evaluate the foetus.

During other times of the pregnancy, other ultrasound exams may be necessary to monitor specific abnormalities discovered during the ultrasound at 18-22 weeks, to determine the position of the fetus and placenta, or to evaluate the growth of your baby.