There is something so exciting about seeing your little jelly bean bouncing around on the ultrasound screen! Counting down the days until you can watch your baby swim around is something almost all couples do.

During your appointment, you will get pictures and can record your baby's heartbeat to have forever. it all solidifies that you truly are carrying a little life inside of you!

Other than elective ultrasounds, there are six common sonograms performed throughout pregnancies, and one or more may be recommended to you. (Remember to request your baby's heartbeat be recorded at least once for you to keep forever.)

Sonogram vs. Ultrasound

Technically, a sonogram is the image generated during ultrasonography, which is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses ultrasound to visualize anything inside the body. An Ultrasound is sound with a frequency above the range audible to humans, about 20 kHz.

Both terms are used interchangeably by most people, but an ultrasound is using sound waves to see or hear something inside the body. A sonogram is the actual visual picture of what the ultrasound is picking up.

Six Common Ultrasounds 

Standard Ultrasound

The traditional ultrasound exam uses a transducer over the abdomen to generate 2-D images of the developing fetus. This may happen several times by your doctor.

Advanced Ultrasound

This exam is similar to the standard ultrasound, but the exam targets a suspected problem and uses more sophisticated equipment. 

Doppler Ultrasound

This imaging procedure measures slight changes in the frequency of the ultrasound waves as they bounce off moving objects, such as blood cells. Basically, the doppler ultrasounds show flood flow instead of the regular imaging most parents are use to seeing. 

3-D Ultrasound

Probes and software are used to display 3-D images of the developing baby during this ultrasound. It brings the imaging to life!

4-D or Dynamic 3-D Ultrasound

Uniquely designed scanners look at the face and movements of the baby with 4-D ultrasounds. They provide families the ability to see features they will recognize after their baby is born!

Fetal Echocardiography

Using ultrasound waves to measure the baby’s heart anatomy and function, this scan is able to detect suspected congenital heart defects. It also provides a detailed look at the baby's heart structure and function.

Your doctor or midwife will likely use the Doppler during each prenatal visit to pick up the baby’s heartbeat. Generally, they keep it short and use this as reassurance to you that you baby is doing well!