How Does an Ultrasound Work?

Ultrasound relies on sound waves to project an image of your baby onto a screen. 

If you received a positive result on a pregnancy test, getting an ultrasound is an essential next step to safeguard your health because it can reveal critical details that would otherwise remain unknown. 

Learn more about how an ultrasound works and why you should get one. 

What to Expect During an Ultrasound

During a pregnancy ultrasound, you’ll lie down on an exam table. The sonographer (the person doing the ultrasound) will then apply a jelly-like substance onto your belly. This helps the sound waves transmit better.

The sonographer will then move a transducer, the part of the ultrasound machine that looks like a wand, over your abdomen. Like bats use echolocation to “see” through sound, the transducer sends sound waves through the abdomen. These bounce off the organs in the area as well as your baby, and the sound waves are then interpreted onto the screen as an image. 

The sonographer can tell a lot from the ultrasound image, including the age and location of your baby. These two factors are critical for your health and safety. If the pregnancy is developing outside of the uterus, this can be a life-threatening situation that needs emergency treatment. 

Are Ultrasounds Safe?

Since ultrasounds rely on sound waves rather than radiation, like during an X-ray, they are considered safe during pregnancy. 

Where Can I Receive a Free Ultrasound?

Pregnancy can be overwhelming and cause you to have many questions, but an ultrasound is the first step toward getting some answers. 

Alpha Pregnancy Care Center offers free ultrasounds and other free pregnancy support services in a welcoming, non-judgmental environment. We’re good at listening too. Contact us today for a confidential appointment.