Term ultrasound

If you are between 10 and 12 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound will be made through your abdomen to determine how long you have been pregnant and the date on which we expect you to give birth. This is done by the midwife, in a special ultrasound center or in the hospital.

What is measured

The size of the baby is checked by measuring the baby from the crown of the head to the tailbone. Because all children grow at the same rate in the first 14 weeks, we can use the ultrasound to determine how long you are pregnant. However, the delivery date is an estimate, because after 14 weeks every baby grows in its own way. Of all pregnant women, 4% gives birth on the delivery date determined during this ultrasound.

Baby's heart

This ultrasound also listens to whether the baby's heart is beating. If the heart beats during the ultrasound, there is a chance of a heart attack miscarriage still very small, namely 1-3%.

One or more babies?

The ultrasound can show whether you are pregnant with one or more babies, for example one twin.

Uterus

It is also checked whether the fetus (the starting baby) is growing in the uterus or outside it. In 1% of pregnant women in the Netherlands, the fetus is not in the uterus, but outside it. The pregnancy will then not last. Fortunately, this is very rare. Finally, it is checked whether the uterus and ovaries have a normal shape.

Preparation

Your abdomen must be bare during the ultrasound. It is therefore easy to put on a T-shirt.

Health insurance

The term ultrasound is reimbursed from the basic package of your health insurance.

Rash

The results of the ultrasound will be forwarded to the midwife and your doctor will then be informed of your pregnancy, provided you give permission for this.