Pregnancy Ultrasound

Why Get One Later On?

These are the most common motivations for ordering a third-trimester pregnancy ultrasound:

To determine the cause of vaginal bleeding

The presence of bleeding during the second half of pregnancy may be due to placental problems. An ultrasound can assist your practitioner to find out what's going on.

To check on your baby's growth

In the later stages of pregnancy, if there are any concerns that your baby is not growing as it should, you may be sent for a 3D ultrasound (or a series of them) to take measurements of certain body parts.

Particular attention will be paid to measuring the size of your baby's head, the length of his thigh bone, and the distance around his midsection.

baby legs

To check on your amniotic fluid level

If you have been diagnosed with too much or too little amniotic fluid, you will probably be given regular ultrasounds during your third trimester to monitor your baby's condition.

To check on your baby's well-being late in the pregnancy

If you’re over your due dates or have high blood pressure or diabetes, you may be asked to have a biophysical profile to check on your baby's movements and breathing and to measure the amount of amniotic fluid.

Another Important Reason for a Pregnancy Ultrasound:

To determine whether you should plan for a cesarean section

Cesarean section may be the preferred option if your baby is especially large (particularly if you have diabetes) or in an abnormal (breech) position, or if the position of the placenta prevents normal delivery.

All of these factors contribute to the reason as to why you should pursue a pregnancy ultrasound later on in your cycle.

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