April Fools' Day Special! Get 15% OFF on all purchases with the coupon code: FOOLS2024

How to Read a Baby Ultrasound

April 17, 2019

Modern technology has allowed people to do what seems to be impossible hundreds of years ago. For example, who would have thought that one would be able to “see” one’s baby before it is delivered at birth?

Ultrasound technology has allowed this to happen. Ever since its introduction to the field of medicine as a diagnostic tool after the Second World War, it has been used countless times to provide images of pre-born babies.

How Does an Ultrasound Work?

Before we discuss ways on how to read an ultrasound, it is important to understand the underlying principles of the technology. Ultrasound, as the name implies, uses sound waves to generate images of objects inside the body.

It is primarily used for diagnosis such as searching for causes of body pain or swelling and tracking if there are infected body organs. It is also commonly used to examine pre-born babies in pregnant women. Unlike other noninvasive methods, ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation such as those present in x-rays.

The best part is that ultrasound is generally safe and also pain-free as there is no cutting and opening of the body involved. Purely sound waves are utilized. A gel is placed on the skin, then a small probe (transducer) is used to generate high-frequency sound (usually 10 MHz and higher) that will travel to the body.

The same probe collects the sounds that bounce back after hitting body parts. These “reflections” are used by an attached computer to generate an ultrasound image in real-time. Think of how bats navigate their way in the dark.

Reading an Ultrasound... Is it Easy?

Usually, expectant parents get an ultrasound to know the sex of their child. At seven weeks, it is possible to get a baby ultrasound; however, it is unlikely that the sex of the baby can be determined. A more general ultrasound is typically done between 18 and 20 weeks. Some do their ultrasound at 12 weeks in order to estimate their due date.

In cases of illness, an ultrasound may be done for diagnostic purposes. In more extreme cases, mothers with a history of birth defects are also advised to have an ultrasound taken along with other prenatal tests.

In reading pregnancy ultrasound images, finding one’s womb is the most important bit. It is a vital first step in reading images. One can locate the uterus by looking for a light gray or white line along the exterior of the image.

A pregnant woman holding a thermal ultrasound printout

Within these lines, the large black area would be the amniotic fluid. These tips are for general cases. There might be some differences in the images one is examining as some ultrasound procedures do not deliberately cover the entire womb. The image is highly dependent on how the probe was positioned by the operator of the ultrasound who could have been way too excited as well for the baby.

The baby will look grey or white on the image, and it will be surrounded by amniotic fluid which would appear as a dark area as discussed earlier. How detailed the image would be depends on the trimester when the ultrasound is taken. If the mother has an ultrasound at 8 weeks, the fetus will appear on the image.

Its size, however, will be comparable to a single bean. It is only at 12 weeks wherein the head will be distinctly visible. The baby will be most visible and distinguishable starting at 20 weeks. At this time, the head, heart, feet, eyes, and even the spine are visible. Because ultrasound relies on the reflection of solid objects, organs that are filled with air such as the lungs are generally not examined.

Which Side is Which?

Most probes used in sonography produced mirrored images similar to phone selfies. It means what you see on the left side of one’s body is on the left side of the image. If the ultrasound is done through inserting a probe in one’s vagina (transvaginal ultrasound), the image is straight. A shot image like this will show the left side of one’s body on the right side.

Also, ultrasound images are really not crystal clear. Many visual effects occur depending on the settings, probe angle, and the density of the organs and tissues that the sound hits. Some of these side effects include:

  • Attenuation/Shadowing: Some body parts manifest in a darker way compared to reality.
  • Anisotropy: The angle of the probe could produce a bias in terms of the brightness of some body parts, similar to the angle on how one shines a flashlight on a target object. To avoid this effect, operators adjust the angle of the probe.
  • Enhancement: A body part appears brighter because of the existence of excess fluids in the area. Cysts and similar water formations are common causes for this.
An ultrasound from the Baby Maybe Premium Fake Ultrasound Shop

So, is it a boy or a girl?

It is at 18-20 weeks when the biological sex of the baby can be easily determined. If the operator or the examiner locates a penis, then it is almost certain that the baby is a male. However, there are cases that the protrusion is a finger or foot that was mistaken to be a penis.

This is because the fetus may not stay still during the ultrasound procedure. Because of this, it is recommended that an expert in sonography is consulted. To read an ultrasound is one thing, but to accurately do so is another.

Other Tips

For a clearer ultrasound measurement, there are newer technologies that offer more detailed images. These include 3D and 4D ultrasound. 3D ultrasound technology allows one to see the baby’s facial features in detail.

It can even detect certain physical defects at an early stage. 4D ultrasound technology is similar to 3D technology but the former uses time as another dimension. Thus, 4D ultrasound is merely a short video of the 3D ultrasound of the baby.

Even if one uses many ultrasound techniques and technologies, there will always be errors. Good reading techniques will minimize errors and maximize the excitement.

Sources:

https://www.wikihow.com/Read-an-Ultrasound-Picture
https://www.verywellfamily.com/finding-out-the-sex-of-your-baby-2758376

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Enjoy our other blog articles

Ultrasound and Mental Health: Seeing Your Baby Can Reduce Stress
What to Expect at Your First Prenatal Ultrasound Examination
How to Prepare for Pregnancy: A Beginner's Guide
Understanding Your Ultrasound Results: What Do They Mean?
The Science Behind How Ultrasounds Work
Understanding Ultrasound Results: Tips for Interpreting Common Terms and Findings
Combining Ultrasounds with Other Prenatal Tests
What to Do When Ultrasound Results Are Unclear: Guidance on Next Steps
Using Ultrasounds to Predict Birth Outcomes
Gender Reveal Ultrasounds: When and How
The Role of Ultrasounds in High-Risk Pregnancies
Safety of Ultrasounds: Debunking Myths
How Often Should You Get an Ultrasound During Pregnancy?
Breastfeeding Basics for New Moms
Baby Sleep Solutions: Tips for Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits
Vaccination Schedule for Babies: Understanding the Importance of Immunizations
Choosing the Right Baby Monitor
Children’s Toys for Different Age Groups:  0 to 3 Years Old
Choosing the Right Daycare Setting
Choosing a Car Seat: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents
Choosing a Playpen: A Guide for Parents
Choosing a Crib: A Guide for Expectant Parents
Choosing a Baby Stroller: A Comprehensive Guide for New Parents
How to Responsibly Use Fake Ultrasounds for Entertainment
The Fascinating World of Fake Ultrasounds: A Blend of Humor, Healing, and Creativity
A Case for Fake Ultrasounds in Therapy and Emotional Healing
Ethical Considerations When Using a Fake Ultrasound
Creative Uses for Fake Ultrasounds
Celebrating Milestones: Baby's First Smile, Crawl, and More
Baby Sleep Training Methods: Finding the Right Fit for Your Family
Demystifying Pregnancy Hormones: Their Influence and Impact
Building the Foundation: A Supportive Environment for Conception
Preparing for Parenthood: Financial and Practical Considerations Before Pregnancy
Nurturing Your Postpartum Body: Recovery and Self-Care
Emotional Well-Being During Pregnancy: Navigating Stress and Anxiety
Emotional Preparation for the Path to Parenthood
Navigating Fertility Challenges
Finding the Perfect Partner for Your Pregnancy: Choosing an Obstetrician or Midwife
Twin Bonding: Fostering Strong Connections with Each Baby
Twin Pregnancy Complications: Navigating the Challenges with Care

Some of our fun products!

Baby Maybe Shop

  • Pregnancy results paper mockup

    Fake Pregnancy Document from 3 Weeks and Up

    $10.00$16.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • 5 Weeks Fake Ultrasound Image

    5 Weeks

    $10.00$53.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • 8 Weeks Fake Ultrasound Image

    8 Weeks

    $10.00$53.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • 8 Weeks Fake Ultrasound Image

    8 Weeks "Little Bean"

    $10.00$53.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • 12 Weeks Fake Ultrasound Image

    12 Weeks

    $10.00$53.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
  • 4 Weeks Fake Ultrasound Image

    4 Weeks

    $10.00$53.00
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Baby Maybe provides the highest quality fake baby ultrasound maker on the internet. © Baby Maybe. All Rights Reserved. These ultrasounds may look realistic, but they are NOT real sonograms.

Only use these ultrasounds as a prank, and DO NOT use them to maliciously deceive a person or an organization!

Disclaimer

Generated Ultrasounds are unscientific and are for entertainment purposes only. This website is only for users 18+. This website is not intended to take the place of a diagnostic or any other tests or treatments that have been or may be recommended by a healthcare provider. If you are experiencing discomfort or symptoms, please seek out medical care. Our store does not ship Premium photos or Thermal prints outside of the United States.
Please click here for additional disclaimers.
© Copyright 2020 - Baby Maybe - All Rights Reserved
Checkout powered by StripeFree Shipping, Satisfaction Guarantee, Secure Checkout badges
crossmenuchevron-down