12 week ultrasound: How is it done and what can you see in it?

A 12 week ultrasound is commonly performed both as the first pregnancy screening and as a follow-up screening after an earlier scan.

Doing it enables doctors to locate the baby in the uterus, identify your gestational age, calculate the due date, and detect multiple pregnancies. Also, at this time, healthcare providers will check the size and development of your baby, and might be able to identify certain abnormalities, such as:

• Structural anomalies
• Chromosomal conditions (e.g., Down syndrome)

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12 weeks is already quite a long time into your pregnancy. In just two weeks, you will cross the point of your first trimester, which must be very exciting. And, as for right now, you are probably already anticipating your first (or repeated) routine ultrasound, waiting to see your baby and confirm that pregnancy is going well.

So, how do you prepare for a 12 week ultrasound? And what should you expect from it? In this guide, we will walk you through this in detail to help minimize stress and set realistic expectations.

Is a 12 Week Ultrasound the First Pregnancy Scan?

Not necessarily. The first pregnancy ultrasound can begin as early as 5 weeks. Although it’s not a common practice, such early screenings are often performed either under medical indications, such as bleeding or pain, or to observe a high-risk pregnancy.

A more common timing for the first routine screening is somewhere between 6 and 9 weeks. So, there is a good chance that your 12 week ultrasound will not be the first one in your routine prenatal care.

However, it’s also okay if it is. The thing is that every practice is different, and some doctors prefer to have the first ultrasounds later in pregnancy, starting from 12-13 weeks. And it shouldn’t be a cause for concern. In many cases, having your first scan after 12 weeks just means that pregnancy is going well and there are no disturbing signs that justify early screenings.

Why Have an Ultrasound 12 Weeks Pregnant?

Often, a 12 week ultrasound (especially if it’s the first screening) is referred to as a dating and viability scan. In a nutshell, this means that the primary purpose of screening is to confirm pregnancy viability and identify the gestational age in order to identify your expected due date. An accurate due date calculation is crucial for developing a personalized care plan. It also allows proper preparation for labor.

During this procedure, a healthcare provider will check the following:

• Whether the baby is located in the right place in the uterus (to rule out ectopic pregnancy).
• How far along you are in your pregnancy, and when you are expected to deliver.
• Whether there is just one baby or multiples.
• Whether your baby is growing and developing properly.
• Whether there is a regular heartbeat.

These things can also be checked earlier, for example, during your 9 week ultrasound if you had one. However, even if this isn’t your first screening, there is a reason to have a repeated ultrasound 12 weeks pregnant because during it, your doctor can detect certain health conditions and abnormalities more accurately.

What Does a 12 Week Ultrasound Look Like?

Compared to earlier screenings, including those done at 11 weeks, a 12 week ultrasound is even more detailed. By this time, the fetus already looks more like a baby and has clearly visible features.

Here are some of the main things that you will see:

• General structures – There should still be a gestational sac seen in the ultrasound. It’s a large darkened spot inside the uterus, which gradually reabsorbs into the uterine tissue as your gestational age increases. The yolk sac might still be present. However, it typically should get smaller and completely disappear at the end of the first trimester or early in the second trimester. Though it may persist in some cases. Now, there should also be a visible umbilical cord.
• Head and face – Your baby already has a well-formed head with some facial features. Depending on the sonography clarity, you can see your baby’s eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Body and limbs – As the fetal body develops, it gets a more distinguished baby shape. You should be able to see arms and legs with tiny fingers and toes, as well as the spine and ribs.
• Size – A healthcare provider should be able to measure the crown rump length of your baby at 12 weeks ultrasound. At this time, your baby should already be around 5.4 cm long from head to bottom. This is about the size of a plum.
• Heartbeat – During a 12 week ultrasound, a healthcare provider should also be able to detect your baby’s heartbeat. It can be detected both visually and audibly. At this time, it’s typically around 140 and 170 beats per minute (bpm).
• Movement – At 12 weeks, you will likely not feel any kicks yet. However, your baby is quite active at this time, and you might be able to see it in the ultrasound. It’s common for babies to kick, stretch, or wave.

What Abnormalities Can Be Seen at 12-Week Scan?

12 weeks is a common time to have an ultrasound, not only to detect pregnancy viability and identify gestational age. It’s also done to detect any abnormalities that might be there. In particular, there are a few issues a doctor can detect in your baby at 12 weeks ultrasound:

• Structural anomalies. During the scan, doctors will check the primary anatomical structures, such as major organs, limbs, and bones. Some structural abnormalities that can be visible include atrioventricular septal defect, omphalocele, gastroschisis, and some other issues with the heart, skull, and abdomen.
• Chromosomal conditions. Your healthcare provider will measure the fluid-filled space behind the baby’s neck, which can help identify the risk of chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome.

Is It Possible to Have a 12 Week Ultrasound 3D?

When you finally start having your routine screenings, you might already be counting days until you see a 3D image of your baby.

Traditional ultrasounds, both transvaginal and abdominal, only provide you with a flat, 2D image. A 3D pregnancy ultrasound is a more advanced technology. It uses sound waves to produce multiple 2D images of the fetus, and combines them in one 3D image that provides a more detailed, lifelike picture of your baby.

For parents-to-be, making the first 3D ultrasound is an especially exciting and emotional moment, as it lets you get a realistic image and see the features of your baby more clearly. For doctors, in turn, it's an important tool that provides a clearer view of the uterus and fetus, and thus allows more accurate diagnosis of certain conditions, such as cleft lip.

So, is it possible to have a 12 week ultrasound 3D? No matter how much you'd wish for it, unfortunately, 12 weeks is generally too early for this kind of scan. Technically, it's possible to have the earliest 3D ultrasound as early as 13 weeks. However, it's important to remember that your baby is still not developed enough to clearly discern its features at this time. It's believed that the best time for a 3D sonogram is between 24 and 32 weeks. This is the time when you can get all the benefits of such screening in full.

FAQ

Is a 12 week ultrasound conclusive in terms of abnormalities?

An ultrasound 12 weeks pregnant gives healthcare providers a clearer look into potential structural issues and chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. However, it’s not always conclusive. It’s important to remember that your baby is still small and is developing rapidly. Besides, the accuracy of the screening result depends on multiple factors, including image clarity. So, while it can help identify potential issues and risks, it’s typically necessary to do follow-up evaluations later.

How do doctors do an ultrasound 12 weeks pregnant?

Most often, you can expect to have an abdominal ultrasound at 12 weeks. During this procedure, a doctor applies special gel to your abdomen and moves a transducer to create an image. However, sometimes, doctors may also use a transvaginal ultrasound if there is a need for a clearer image. But don’t worry, this procedure is harmless and pain-free.

Is it possible to learn the baby’s gender at 12 weeks?

Technically, it is possible. A trained specialist can predict the gender of your baby using the “nub theory.” However, the accuracy of this prediction can vary greatly. Generally, you should expect a more reliable gender revelation later in pregnancy, after 18 weeks.

Do I need to prepare for a 12 week ultrasound?

Generally, a pregnancy ultrasound does not require any special preparation. You may want to choose comfy and loose clothing to ensure simple access to the belly. Also, some specialists may recommend that you drink plenty of fluids before the procedure because a full bladder can offer a clearer image. If you are not sure what to do, don’t hesitate to consult with your healthcare provider, and they will provide you with detailed instructions if any.

Conclusion

A 12 week ultrasound can be an exciting point in your pregnancy journey. By this time, the baby is grown and well-developed, which means that you should be able to see its features more clearly. At the same time, this screening is typically considered an important part of routine prenatal care, which enables doctors to identify possible abnormalities and risks.

Hopefully, this guide will help you understand the entire procedure better and prepare for it well. Remember about the importance of eliminating unnecessary stress and setting realistic expectations for your first ultrasounds, so that you don’t feel disappointed afterward.

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