Ultrasounds During Pregnancy: What You Should Know
Ultrasounds during pregnancy are one of the most common and most talked-about parts of prenatal care. If you’re expecting, you’ll likely have at least one or two scheduled, and it’s completely normal to have questions about what they’re for and whether they’re necessary.
1. Ultrasounds Are Considered Safe When Used Appropriately
Major health organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the World Health Organization (WHO), consider diagnostic ultrasound safe when it’s used for a medical purpose and performed by trained professionals using standard equipment settings. Modern ultrasound machines are designed to keep energy exposure within established safety limits, following what’s known as the ALARA principle—”as low as reasonably achievable”—to minimize any potential tissue effects while still getting a clear, useful image.
What health organizations do caution against is routine ultrasound performed purely for non-medical reasons, like extra “keepsake” 3D scans at a mall kiosk with no clinical supervision, since those aren’t held to the same safety oversight as a scan performed in a medical setting for a specific purpose.
🤰 Have questions about an upcoming scan? Your prenatal care provider can walk you through exactly why it's recommended for your pregnancy.
2. What Standard Pregnancy Ultrasounds Actually Check For
Most pregnancies include an early ultrasound, often around 8 to 12 weeks, which helps confirm dates, check for a heartbeat, and screen for early signs of certain chromosomal conditions when combined with blood work. A more detailed anatomy scan, typically done around 18 to 20 weeks, checks fetal growth and looks closely at the development of the heart, brain, spine, and other organs, along with placenta position and amniotic fluid levels.
These scans are designed to catch a wide range of things beyond genetic conditions, including ectopic pregnancies, placental complications, and growth concerns, many of which can affect the health of the pregnancy regardless of whether a genetic condition is involved. Your provider can explain exactly what each scan in your specific care plan is looking for.
📋 Curious what your specific ultrasound is checking for? Ask your provider to walk you through the purpose of each scan on your schedule.
3. It's Okay to Ask Questions About Your Care
Like any part of prenatal care, it’s completely reasonable to ask your provider why a particular scan is recommended, what it’s checking for, and how the results might affect your care. Every pregnancy is different, and providers tailor screening recommendations based on individual risk factors, medical history, and how the pregnancy is progressing.
If you ever feel unsure about a recommended test, the best step is an open conversation with your OB, midwife, or family doctor—not decisions based on unverified claims found online. Your care team can help you understand the specific benefits and purpose of any test recommended for your pregnancy.
Also Dealing with Pregnancy-Related Aches and Pains?
While ultrasounds are one part of monitoring your baby’s development, many pregnant women also deal with very real physical discomfort along the way—especially low back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica as the body adapts to a growing baby and shifting center of gravity. This is a completely separate topic from ultrasound safety, but it’s worth mentioning: prenatal chiropractic care is a safe, well-established option for managing these common pregnancy aches, using techniques specifically adapted for pregnant patients.
Many chiropractors are trained in pregnancy-specific approaches, such as the Webster Technique, which focuses on pelvic balance and alignment and is commonly used to help support optimal positioning as your due date approaches. If back or pelvic pain is making your pregnancy more uncomfortable than it needs to be, this is a conversation worth having with your care team.
🤰 Dealing with back or pelvic pain during pregnancy? Prenatal chiropractic care may help you feel more comfortable through every trimester.
Key Takeaways
Ultrasounds during pregnancy are considered safe when performed for medical reasons using standard safety guidelines, and they serve an important role in monitoring both fetal development and overall pregnancy health. If you have questions about a specific scan, your prenatal care provider is the best resource for understanding what it’s for and why it’s recommended in your case.
Have Questions About Your Prenatal Care?
Talk to your OB, midwife, or family doctor about any questions or concerns you have regarding your prenatal ultrasounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when performed for a medical reason using standard equipment and settings, diagnostic ultrasound is considered safe by major health organizations, including ACOG and the WHO.
Most pregnancies include an early dating scan around 8 to 12 weeks and an anatomy scan around 18 to 20 weeks, though your provider may recommend additional scans based on your individual situation.
It examines fetal growth and development, including the heart, brain, spine, and other organs, along with the position of the placenta and the level of amniotic fluid.
Talk directly with your OB, midwife, or family doctor. They can explain the specific purpose of the scan and address any concerns based on your individual pregnancy and medical history.
Yes. Many chiropractors are trained in pregnancy-specific techniques, such as the Webster Technique, to safely address common pregnancy discomforts like low back pain, pelvic pain, and sciatica.
