The Having a Baby in Queensland Book Dec 2010 v1.0

What happens if I choose not to have aOption 1 first trimester ultrasound scan? Option 2What happens if I choose to havea first trimester ultrasound scan?If you choose not to have a first trimester ultrasound scan, you willprogress through your first trimester without having an ultrasoundscan. You can still choose to have an ultrasound scan later inpregnancy.If you choose not to have a first trimester ultrasound but areinterested in some of the information described previously (eg howmany weeks pregnant you are), you might like to ask your careprovider how else you might find out this information.If you choose to have a first trimester ultrasound scan, theultrasound scan might be done at the place where you arereceiving your pregnancy care (eg at a clinic or hospital) or mightbe done somewhere else (eg at a special ultrasound clinic). Youcan usually bring a support person or people with you to a firsttrimester ultrasound scan.If you are having a transabdominal ultrasound scan, your careprovider might ask you to drink a large amount of water and/orfast (not eat) for several hours before the time of your scan. Thisis so you have a full bladder and/or no food in your stomachduring your ultrasound scan.During the ultrasound scan, your care provider puts a smallamount of gel on your abdomen and moves the transduceracross the gel on your skin. A picture of your uterus and yourbaby then appears on the computer screen. Some women liketo ask to look at the screen to see the picture while they arehaving the ultrasound scan. It is sometimes possible for theultrasound picture to be printed out as a photo for you to keep,but not all places offer this.If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound scan, your careprovider will not usually ask you to drink a large amount of waterbefore your scan. During the scan, your care provider will askyou to remove your underwear and will cover you with a sheet.Your care provider will then cover the long, narrow transducerin plastic (like a condom) and insert it in your vagina. A pictureof your uterus and your baby will then appear on the computerscreen.When you have a first trimester ultrasound scan, the results areusually ready straight away. Sometimes, the pictures of youruterus and your baby are examined by a radiologist (a specialistdoctor) after the ultrasound scan. The radiologist then interpretsthe ultrasound pictures and prepares the results report for youand your care provider.There may be a cost involved in having a first trimesterultrasound scan. You might like to ask your care providerfor more information about whether there is a cost for a firsttrimester ultrasound scan, how long the scan will take, how youcan prepare for your ultrasound scan and what to expect.40