Finding out you’re pregnant comes with approximately 400 new questions. Some are big. Some are tiny. Some arrive at 2:13 in the morning while you are suddenly searching things like “when do you get your first ultrasound” and studying pregnancy apps with the concentration of someone preparing for a final exam. One of the most common questions is also one of the simplest: When can I actually see my baby? The answer depends on what kind of ultrasound you are having and why you are having it.
When is the first medical ultrasound?
Your healthcare provider determines the timing of your medical ultrasounds based on your pregnancy, medical history, symptoms, and prenatal care plan. Some people receive an ultrasound fairly early in pregnancy. Others may not have one until later in the first trimester or beyond. There is no single schedule that applies to every pregnancy. If you have questions about when you should receive your first medical ultrasound, your OB, midwife, or other prenatal provider is the right person to ask.
When can you book an elective first trimester ultrasound?
At Home Sono begins at 10 weeks. An elective ultrasound is an opportunity to see your baby outside of a medical appointment, with the experience centered on bonding rather than diagnosis. We bring that experience into your living room. You get comfortable on your own couch. Your partner can sit beside you. Your parents can hover nearby pretending they are not emotional. Your kids can pile onto a blanket in front of the TV.
Then your baby appears on the screen. No fluorescent room. No paper gown. No trying to remember whether you are allowed to take a video. Just your family, your home, and a pretty remarkable little view.
What if I am not 10 weeks yet?
If you are earlier than 10 weeks, At Home Sono is not the right appointment yet. Our sessions begin at 10 weeks. If you need an ultrasound before then, or you have questions about your pregnancy, symptoms, dating, viability, or development, contact your medical provider. They can tell you whether medical imaging is appropriate and when it should happen.
At Home Sono sessions are never intended to answer medical questions about pregnancy development. If you have concerns about your pregnancy or need confirmation that everything is progressing normally, contact your medical provider.
What can you expect starting at 10 weeks?
By 10 weeks, there is simply more baby to see than there was earlier in the first trimester. The image may begin looking a little less abstract, and you may be able to recognize a head, body, arms, legs, or small movements. You probably will not be critiquing anybody’s nose yet, but you are looking at your baby. For a lot of parents, that is plenty.
What should I do before my first ultrasound?
If you are preparing for your first medical ultrasound, follow the instructions given by your provider. Preparation can vary depending on the type of exam being performed. For an At Home Sono session, things are considerably more relaxed. Choose the room where you want everyone to gather. Decide who you want there. Make yourself comfortable.
That might mean your partner beside you on the couch. It might mean grandparents in the armchairs. It might mean your toddler sitting six inches from the television despite repeated requests to move back. It is your house. That is part of the point.
Is an at home ultrasound a replacement for my first prenatal ultrasound?
No. At Home Sono provides non medical elective ultrasound sessions. Our sessions are not used to diagnose conditions, determine viability, evaluate fetal development, replace prenatal imaging, or provide medical advice. Continue all scheduled prenatal care and medical ultrasounds with your healthcare provider. We provide something different. A chance to see your baby when there is nowhere else you need to be.
Your first look does not have to feel clinical
Pregnancy comes with plenty of appointments. This one can feel different. At Home Sono brings an early look at your baby into the place where your baby will eventually come home to. Your couch. Your people. Your television. And one very small guest making their screen debut. Ready for a baby view from your living room? Explore At Home Sono sessions and choose a time that works for your family.