Pregnancy Ultrasound
Sound Imaging provides pregnancy ultrasound services in Anchorage and Soldotna, Alaska. Also known as a prenatal or obstetrical ultrasound, this exam uses sound waves to evaluate your pregnancy and fetal development. Early pregnancy ultrasounds can confirm pregnancy, estimate your due date, and check for cardiac activity.
As your pregnancy progresses, a fetal anatomy ultrasound evaluates your baby’s developing organs and growth. Your healthcare provider may request serial growth scans, cervical length measurements, or a biophysical profile (BPP) to assess your baby’s well-being. From your first ultrasound through delivery, Sound Imaging offers personalized pregnancy ultrasound care and clear information to support you and your healthcare team.
Understanding Your Pregnancy Ultrasound
Pregnancy ultrasound provides important information throughout different stages of pregnancy. Using sound waves to create images of your baby and reproductive organs, an obstetric ultrasound can help your healthcare provider monitor your pregnancy and your baby’s development.
Ultrasound provides your healthcare team with valuable information that cannot be obtained through a routine physical examination alone. From an early pregnancy ultrasound through later fetal growth and anatomy scans, these images help your provider follow your baby’s development and make informed decisions about your prenatal care.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy and the reason for your exam, a prenatal ultrasound may be used to:
- Confirm a pregnancy and estimate gestational age
- Check your baby’s heartbeat
- Monitor fetal growth and development
- Determine the number of babies
- Evaluate the placenta and amniotic fluid
- Examine your baby’s anatomy and development
- Check your baby’s position later in pregnancy
- Provide additional imaging when recommended by your healthcare provider
Different Ultrasounds During Pregnancy
Early Pregnancy Ultrasound
An early pregnancy ultrasound, also called a dating ultrasound, confirms your pregnancy and estimates how far along you are. It checks your baby’s heartbeat, finds out whether you are carrying more than one baby, and helps set an accurate due date.
Fetal Anatomy Scan
A fetal anatomy scan, often called the 20-week ultrasound, is a detailed look at your baby’s development. It checks the brain, heart, spine, kidneys, arms and legs, along with the placenta and amniotic fluid. It can also show your baby’s sex if you want to know.
Growth Ultrasound
A growth ultrasound measures your baby’s size later in pregnancy to make sure they are growing well. It also checks your baby’s position and amniotic fluid levels. It is often recommended for diabetes, high blood pressure, twins or when your baby measures small or large.
Biophysical Profile (BPP)
A biophysical profile checks your baby’s wellbeing later in pregnancy. It looks at breathing movements, body movement, muscle tone and amniotic fluid. It is often recommended for high-risk pregnancies or pregnancies past the due date.
Fetal Doppler Ultrasound
A fetal Doppler ultrasound measures blood flow in the umbilical cord and your baby’s blood vessels. It helps your provider see whether your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients, especially when growth is slower than expected.
Fetal Echo
A fetal echocardiogram is a detailed ultrasound of your baby’s heart. It checks the heart’s structure, valves and rhythm. It may be recommended if there is a family history of heart defects, diabetes, or a concern from an earlier scan.
Transvaginal Pregnancy Ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound uses a small, gently inserted probe to get clearer images in early pregnancy. It can confirm where the pregnancy is, see the heartbeat sooner and measure cervical length more accurately than an abdominal scan.
3D/4D Ultrasound
A 3D ultrasound creates still, lifelike images of your baby, and a 4D ultrasound shows your baby moving in real time. These scans give a clearer view of your baby’s face and features and help families bond before birth.
High-Risk Pregnancy Ultrasound
A high-risk pregnancy ultrasound gives more detailed or more frequent imaging when a pregnancy needs closer monitoring. It may be recommended for maternal age, diabetes, high blood pressure, twins or a concern on an earlier scan. Some patients are also referred to maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) for specialized care.
Viability Scan
A viability scan is an early pregnancy ultrasound that confirms your pregnancy is growing in the uterus and checks for a heartbeat. It is often done between 6 and 10 weeks, especially after bleeding, cramping or a past miscarriage.
Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan
A nuchal translucency scan measures the fluid at the back of your baby’s neck between 11 and 14 weeks. Along with a blood test, it helps estimate the chance of Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions.
Cervical Length Ultrasound
A cervical length ultrasound measures your cervix to check for early shortening, which can raise the risk of preterm birth. It may be recommended if you have had an early delivery before or other risk factors.
What to Expect
Before your Appointment
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Your preparation may vary depending on the type of ultrasound you are having. When you schedule your appointment, our staff will let you know if there are any special instructions, such as drinking water to arrive with a full bladder or avoiding food for a certain period of time.
- Please wear comfortable clothing and bring any information or paperwork requested by your provider.
When You Arrive
- Our team will check you in and guide you to the ultrasound room. Your sonographer will explain the exam and help you get comfortably positioned before the study begins.
During Your Ultrasound
- A small amount of ultrasound gel will be placed on the area being examined. The sonographer will gently move a handheld device called a transducer over your skin to create images.
- Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images and does not use radiation. Most exams are painless, although you may occasionally feel gentle pressure as the sonographer obtains the images your provider needs.
How Long Will It Take?
- The length of your appointment depends on the type of ultrasound being performed. Many studies take approximately 45 minutes, while more detailed exams may take longer.
After Your Exam
- Once your ultrasound is complete, you can wipe away the gel and return to your normal activities unless your healthcare provider has given you different instructions.
- The images from your exam will be reviewed and the results will be sent to your referring healthcare provider, who will discuss the findings with you.
Getting Your Pregnancy Ultrasound Results
- During your pregnancy ultrasound, your sonographer may show you your baby on the screen, point out the heartbeat and share images of your baby when possible. Medical results, like your baby’s measurements, growth and anatomy findings, are reviewed by a radiologist or specialist physician after your exam. A report is then sent to your OB-GYN, midwife or healthcare provider, usually within a few business days. Your provider will contact you to explain your prenatal ultrasound results, answer your questions and talk about any next steps in your pregnancy care. If a finding needs quick attention, your provider will be contacted right away.
FAQ
Is a pregnancy ultrasound safe for my baby?
Yes. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images and does not use radiation. Diagnostic ultrasound has been used during pregnancy for many years and is considered safe when performed appropriately by trained medical professionals.
How should I prepare for my pregnancy ultrasound?
Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound and how far along you are in your pregnancy. You may be asked to arrive with a full bladder, especially for an early pregnancy ultrasound. Our team will provide specific instructions when your exam is scheduled.
When can I see my baby on an ultrasound?
A pregnancy can often be seen on ultrasound during the early weeks, although what can be seen depends on how far along the pregnancy is and the type of ultrasound performed. Later ultrasounds allow your healthcare team to evaluate your baby’s growth, development, movement, and anatomy.
How long does a pregnancy ultrasound take?
Most pregnancy ultrasound appointments take approximately 20-45 minutes, although some detailed studies may take longer. The length of the exam depends on the type of ultrasound, your baby’s position, and the images and measurements that are needed.
Can I find out fetal sex during the ultrasound?
Often, yes. Let your sonographer know if you want to know, or if you would like to keep it a surprise.
Insurance
Sound Imaging is in network with
Aetna
Blue Cross
Cigna
Meritain Health
Moda Health
TriWest
UnitedHealthcare
Alaska Medicaid including Denali KidCare
Medicare (coming soon)
Coverage and benefits vary by individual insurance plan. Questions about your coverage? Call (907) 531-2726.
No Surprise Act
Public Health Service (PHS) Act 2799B-3 and Section 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 149.430, describe medical consumer legal protections known as the No Surprise Act (NSA).
If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out of network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services.
No Surprise Act Good Faith Estimates
Upon request, we are happy to provide registered patients with a good faith estimate based upon physician prescribed services, which will include expected charges for items or services as published in our current standard fee schedule. The estimate is based on information known at the time the estimate was created. The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur.