Like the stereotypical first-time mom, I brought a full sheet of questions to my preliminary obstetrics appointment. My healthcare provider gave me her full attention and took the time to respond to each of my inquiries, and by the end of the appointment, I could tell she was both competent and confident. One of the topics we discussed was the ultrasound. She explained that her office’s policy is to do one during the first trimester, one at 20 weeks to confirm the gender, and additional scans only as complications arise.
After conducting some research of my own, I decided that I wanted to limit ultrasound exposure, so I kindly asked if she would be comfortable with forgoing the first scan. She said that moms rarely ask for that because of how eager they are to see their baby on the big screen, but she told me that it wouldn’t be a problem at all. (The primary purpose of the first trimester ultrasound is to predict the due date, and because she and I were able to use my health history to determine that, the ultrasound was no longer necessary.)
Needless to say, by the time the gender confirmation ultrasound rolled around, I was more than ready to “meet” our baby. Mr. Handsome and I patiently waited while the technician took photos of all the vital organs before moving on to the more recognizable parts, such as the hands, feet, and head. (Something that I was unprepared for was how uncomfortable the ultrasound was. The technician really had to press hard to get a good scan, and while she was as gentle as possible, it was still painful, and apparently that’s normal.)
The gender announcement came at the end, and it was a very emotional moment for both of us. Due to the way our baby was positioned, we didn’t get great shots of his face, so I really cherish the few photos that we do have. I printed them off and hung them up in our kitchen, with a reminder to pray for our little guy.
(Ironically, baby is doing a lot of kicking while I write this post. Either he’s hungry for dinner or he knows I’m writing about him!)
Regina Shea
I love to see baby ulteasounds pics. They are so precious! Well take care and feed that boy!😊
Ellie
Thank you, Regina!
Candi
How neat, Ellie! I didn’t get ultrasounds early on either so I was like you-anticipating much our gender reveal ultrasound. I love reading through your journey! Thankyou!
Ellie
Glad you are enjoying the posts, Candi. 🙂
Marilyn
What a beautiful post. The baby seems to know what is going on. God Bless.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Anonymous
Praise the Lord! So exciting!
Anonymous
If you thought having your ultrasound was uncomfortable – imagine having one done on your neck. Painful and impossible to breathe.
Ellie
Yes, I can imagine. I recently had one on my thyroid, and it wasn’t too bad, but I’m sure it all depends on the reason/technician.
Ellie
B
Ellie, I had and Ultrasound on my thyroid and it was bad at all. And it wasn’t painful and I never had any problems breathing .
B
Sorry was supposed to say wasn’t bad at all.
Anonymous
Is there research suggesting ultrasound exposure is not good for mom/baby? If so, researchers should make this news more prevalent-as I’ve never heard of this before! But I think you made a smart decision in waiting!
Ellie
There is a school of thought that ultrasound exposure can have a negative impact on the baby, especially during the first trimester. There are some studies that have been performed, but as with most things in pregnancy, the studies are limited, so it cannot be said for sure whether ultrasounds are safe or unsafe. I have taken the “when in doubt, avoid it” approach in my pregnancy. 🙂
Ellie
Beth
Ellie: Thanks for sharing your baby picture with us.
Ellie
My pleasure, Ellie!
Anonymous
Why did you want to limit ultrasound exposure?
Ellie
There is a school of thought that ultrasounds can have a negative impact on the unborn baby. After reading articles and studies from multiple doctors and midwives, I decided that I didn’t want to take the risk. In pregnancy, I have taken the “when in doubt, avoid it” approach.
Thanks for reading,
Ellie
Amanda
How exciting that must have been! Ultrasounds were not routine for women in their 20s thirty years ago, when I was pregnant with my daughter, and I never had one. I can’t imagine how thrilling it must be to get to see your baby while he’s still inside you.
I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible from here. I can’t wait to hear that Nashville Baby has arrived.
Ellie
Thank you, Amanda! You’re very kind. It was trilling, indeed.
Ellie
Alyssa
I just want to add an early ultrasound is also done to rule out twins which would make the pregnancy high risk.
Ellie
Yep that can be true, although my provider said that twins often “hide themselves” during early ultrasounds.
Ellie
MarriedUK
Why did you want to limit your ultrasounds?
Ellie
Hi MarriedUK,
There is a school of thought that ultrasounds can have a negative impact on the unborn baby. After reading articles and studies from multiple doctors and midwives, I decided that I didn’t want to take the risk. In pregnancy, I have taken the “when in doubt, avoid it” approach.
Have a wonderful day!
Ellie
Christine
I can appreciate wanting to avoid any potential risks to baby and I share this just in case it helps with future peace of mind if you end up needing early ultrasounds with future pregnancies — I had two high risk pregnancies which each involved multiple early ultrasounds (as many as 7 in the first trimester). Both of my girls are healthy and strong (praise God!). There were so many things that I wanted to go a certain way with my pregnancies and birth experiences, but because of the complications we had I had to learn early on one of the most helpful lessons in parenting– be flexible and pray!
All the best with the rest of your pregnancy!
Ellie
I am very glad to hear that, Christine! Thank you for sharing. I agree that being flexible is extremely important in pregnancy (and life in general, lol). And prayer is vital for us believers. When complications arise, modern medicine is such a blessing. I have had a couple minor complications with my pregnancy and am under the care of a couple specialists (in addition to my primary OB provider), and I have been so grateful for their expertise and monitoring. Thankfully, the issues have been minor, and they have been my own health issues–nothing that has or is expected to impact the baby.
Ellie
AmyRyb
I was shocked when I got my first ultrasound because we had no idea when I had conceived. We figured we’d see a “blob” but we saw a recognizable baby with moving arms and legs. I was 10 weeks along and couldn’t believe what I was seeing! Absolutely blew my mind! I always thought the worst part of ultrasounds was filling my bladder so they could get better images. They almost always had to let me use the restroom in the middle because I did too good of a job! Congrats on your little one and best wishes for a smooth rest of the way…
Ellie
Thank you for your well wishes, Amy. Aren’t ultrasounds just amazing? Even at my 20-week ultrasound, the baby was still small, but the amount of detail we could see on the screen was incredible. How many children do you have?
Ellie
Anonymous
Many congratulations on your pregnancy. I was very interested to hear about the studies regarding ultrasound. I have been a sonographer for ten years and don’t know of any biological effects from ultrasound. Thankfully I’m happy to say I’ve never seen any untoward side effects either. I do appreciate your apprehension though. Certainly the first scan is to look for heartbeat, number and any maternal complications. It is a bonding experience. The 20 week scan is very detailed and gender is a very small aspect. Some cases require weekly scans e.g twins as certain conditions require intervention to save the babies. It does have a big part to play. Thankfully as it keeps me in employment lol.
Very best wishes from Ireland
Ellie
Thank you for your congratulations! And thanks for sharing your expertise. Do you do a variety of ultrasounds, or just babies? What an exciting career that must be. And a very necessary field, for sure.
Ellie
Anonymous
Yes, I was going to just clarify for your readers, too, that the 20 week or midterm ultrasound is an anatomical scan, including of umbilical cord and placenta, to confirm everything is ok. It can be medically miraculous! We did not find out the sex of our baby until birth, but we discovered a complication at that scan and were able to monitor and treat carefully, as a result, with a full term and healthy baby and mama at the end. This is an amazing medical tool, even for those who aren’t interested in the sex reveal, ensuring that everything is anatomically ok with baby and mama is the actual purpose. 🙂 plus it’s so amazing to see their heart and toes and nose and movements!
Kim
Hi Ellie,
The first ultrasound where you see the baby is so exciting! I’m pregnant too! What theme or colors are you choosing for the baby’s room? I’m doing an animal theme. A friend is doing a Dumbo the Elephant theme. I’ve watched tons of videos on a YouTube about what to buy for baby. And Phil and Alex videos about their adoption journey. Just cause.
Ellie
Congratulations, Kim! Our nursery is blue, and I am thinking of either animals or ships. My hope is to make the room “boyish” enough while still making it easy to switch things around if we have a girl. I love that you’re doing animals, as well. When are you due?
Ellie
Anonymous
That is sweet and interesting how careful you were. But the baby is right there alive inside you, and a picture is just an image. I saw a video of a fairly big baby responding to some reggae music, it was so funny! That baby was really rocking around in there seemingly in response to that music! Hopefully it would not get tangled up. I would not recommend exciting a baby on purpose, it might have tragic consequences. Maybe prayers and soothing talk and gentle music are best.
Anonymous
I’ve always wondered how babies hear in the uterus. Does anyone have an idea? Does sound penetrate through the walls of the abdomen? Or does it come through the top of the uterus somewhere or where? Weird question I know but I’ve always wondered how they can listen. ??? Thankyou
Lisa VK
Oh my heart, look at that darling little profile. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of seeing those images up on a screen for the first time, life is such a gift and truly a miracle in itself.
Ellie
Thank you, Lisa! I agree–the miracle of new life is incredible to behold.
Ellie
Anonymous
Not that many years ago it was common practice to only have one ultrasound per pregnancy, unless there were possible complications. With my youngest, who is now almost 18, my only ultrasound was when I found out I was pregnant at 35 years of age. Apparently, I had been pregnant 4 months, and no usual symptoms. As for pain with an ultrasound, I only remember the excruciating pain of a full bladder. The amount of water one is told to drink is beyond too much for my body.
Chris
Congrats!!! Will pray for you all, so exciting!!
Ellie
Thank you for your prayers, Chris!
Ellie
Tiffany
Thank you for sharing your ultrasound . Seeing them on ultrasounds is pretty cool. It’s great that you have researched some during your pregnancy. I have had early ultrasounds with all 4 of my pregnancies. My first one I was 10 weeks, my second I was 9 weeks , my third I had one at 6,7, and 8 weeks ( i had a blocked tube and wanted to o make sure baby wasn’t ectopic and had some bleeding ), and 4th 8 weeks.
My 4th i had no idea that I would miscarry at 12 weeks so I am so blessed for that one ultrasound I had to see him, his heart beat and have a picture while he was alive.
Have you looked into not getting checked intil later on in your pregnancy for dilation ? My last practice doesn’t check until 39 weeks bc of induction. I was surprised about that but I asked at 36 weeks to be checked since they had to do a test anyways and sure enough I was 2 cm. I also had my last baby at 36 weeks so I wanted to know if I could be early again. I ended up having her at 38 weeks.
But with my first at each visit I was 0 cm and it did make me a little sad. But with him I didn’t dilate till my water broke at 40 weeks 6 days.
Ellie
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for sharing! Since I’m a first-time mom, I will probably go with whatever my provider advises, since I trust her. She has a more natural approach to birth and tries to avoid induction and C-section unless medically necessary.
Ellie
Tiffany
I agree with that . I don’t regret getting checked every week but as a first time Mom who was so excited to have my baby , it was a little hard hearing 0 every time. If I could go back with my last birth I wish the would have checked me at 37 and 38 weeks since I showed up at the hospital at 10 . No telling what I was during those weeks.
. Please keep me in your prayers . I might be pregnant again . Only a few faint positives but since I had a loss 5 months ago it’s making me a little nervous . My children would really love Another sibling and would be heartbroken if we lost another one. If I am it would be my 5th pregnancy . I have had 2 csections ,one vbac , and one 12 week miscarriage .
Ellie
So sorry for your loss, Tiffany! I will pray that the Lord will give you another child as He sees fit. 🙂
Ellie
Tiffany
Thank you. Well I had my blood work done and found out it was a chemical pregnancy . I am a little sad but it wasn’t as hard as losing my baby at 12 weeks. I guess that’s what happens if you test too soon.
Ellie
I’m so sorry to hear that, Tiffany! I’ll be praying for you.
Ellie
Barb
Ellie,
Thank you for sharing what is such an amazing time for you. Your son is so blessed to have such loving, caring, intelligent, and fun parents.
You all are in my prayers.
Barb
Ellie
Thank you, Barb! We really appreciate it.
Ellie
CJOHN
That’s exciting news! I’m glad you mentioned the option to not have the initial ultrasound. I had not thought of that. Sounds like you are preparing by asking questions. It is nice to have such a receptive doctor to work with during such an exciting time. I didn’t realize that the ultrasound can be uncomfortable. Thanks for sharing the real deal about some of these things we assume from seeing it on TV. I pray that you continue to have a healthy pregnancy. Enjoy this special time.😊
Ellie
Thank you for your prayers! 🙂
Ellie
Lisa Neighbors
Congratulations ! Best of wishes for you and Mr. Handsome! Any strange or weird cravings along the way so far? Mine was Italian food and honey roasted peanuts
Ellie
Thank you Lisa! So far, I haven’t had any weird cravings. But there are certain foods that turn me off, especially foods that I ate at certain times when I had really bad morning sickness. And the smell of grilled food turns me off because the first weekend I started having morning sickness, we ate a bunch of grilled food. Funny how those things work.
Ellie
Lauren
I’m glad that not having an early ultrasound worked out for you. With my second pregnancy, I was told the same thing, and spent weeks 6-11 thinking I was pregnant. When I got to my 12 week appointment, they couldn’t find a heartbeat and ultrasound later determined that growth had stopped at week 5. An ultrasound would have saved me the extra heartache from spending a month+ thinking I was still pregnant. With my next pregnancy, they did ultrasounds whenever I asked (I was at the 3rd best OBGYN program in the nation) because the stress of not knowing baby was ok could be more harmful than an ultrasound. Just my 2 cents. Congrats again!
Kari
Congratulations!! If it’s any consolation to someone reading, I had many ultrasounds as my pregnancy became high risk with weekly ultrasounds during the last trimester and she turned out perfectly fine and healthy! Cherish this time Ellie it’s so exciting.
Ellie
Thank you, Kari! We’re thrilled to meet our baby. I am very glad to hear that your daughter is happy and healthy. How old is she now?
Ellie