Early Pregnancy Ultrasound: Why is it Recommended?

Question
Hi, i am a 31yrold mother of 2 and i am expecting my 3rd child. my lmp was 2/13/06.  i am curious to know why my dr would want a ultra sound(sonogram) so early in the pregnancy?  

Answer
If your last period started on February 13, you would now be around 9 weeks pregnant at this time. Usually, unless there is a descrepency in the size and dates, you do not need a sonogram this early in pregnancy. If you want to check nuchal cord transluscency (to evaluate Down Syndrome) you should have a sonogram at 11-12 weeks. The standard of care (ACoG) is to do a sonogram at 20 weeks to confirm your gestational age, due date, and anatomical paramiters. We usually will hear a fetal heartbeat by hand held doppler after 10 weeks testatiion. If we do not hear it at that time, we would send you for a sonogram at that time.