15 week ultrasound: Commonness, procedure, and results

15 weeks is an exciting milestone at the beginning of your second trimester. At this time, many early pregnancy symptoms fade, and new, second-trimester symptoms start showing. Your baby is already the size of an apple and continues growing rapidly. During this week, their eyes will become sensitive to light, and they will start hearing soon.

What if you’ve been scheduled for a screening this week? Traditionally, a 15 week ultrasound is not a part of a standard schedule. Many women will have their second-trimester scan much later, around 18-22 weeks. However, it’s possible to have an additional screening if:

• This is your doctor’s practice.
• You’re behind on your care schedule.
• Your previous screening was inconclusive.
• You have medical indications.

Regardless of the reason, a 15 week ultrasound can show you quite a lot. Your baby already has a recognizable human shape, you can see their facial expressions, and you can prepare to see movement.

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15 weeks is the second week of the second pregnancy trimester. You should already feel better in terms of morning sickness and have more energy. At the same time, new symptoms might start appearing. You will possibly notice a growing baby bump and may experience lower back pain.

By 15 weeks, you should have already had at least one, if not two, ultrasound scans. The earliest could’ve been conducted as early as 5 weeks if there were medical indications. But typically, you should’ve had a routine first-trimester screening within the first 14 weeks.

After your first ultrasound, you probably already have your pregnancy confirmed and have been preliminarily examined. Usually, there is no need for an additional ultrasound before 18 weeks. Still, it’s possible to be scheduled for a 15 week ultrasound. Continue reading to learn what to expect from it.

What Happens at 15 Weeks of Pregnancy?

Before we delve into the specs of an ultrasound 15 weeks pregnant, let’s figure out what’s going on in your body first.

15 weeks is quite far along in your pregnancy. By this time, many women report a significant improvement in their early pregnancy symptoms or their complete absence. However, some women may still experience some symptoms from the first trimester, which is also considered a norm.

Instead of early pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, you may now experience second-trimester symptoms, such as:

• Growing baby bump
• Larger breasts
• Lower back pain
• Belly pain
• Swollen and bleeding gums
• And others

Your baby is quickly growing and changing too. By this time, the fetus should be about 10.1 cm long from head to bottom. This is the size of an apple. At 15 weeks, your baby is growing a soft layer of hair on their body. Other exciting development milestones include the development of eye sensitivity to light, as well as the growth of eyebrows and eyelashes. And your baby will start hearing soon! They will start listening to your heartbeat and voice, which must be especially exciting.

Is It Common to Have a 15 Week Sonogram?

If you’ve been scheduled for a 15 week ultrasound, it’s natural to feel somewhat concerned. Chances are that you already had your viability and due date scan earlier, and possibly didn’t expect another scan soon. But there are no reasons to worry.

Indeed, a 15 week ultrasound isn’t typically included in a standard prenatal care schedule. Often, you will have your first-trimester scan before 14 weeks. The next, second-trimester ultrasound is commonly performed between 18 and 22 weeks. But this is not a rule.

Every clinic and healthcare provider can have a different practice. That’s why the overall schedule of prenatal visits can vary. Apart from your doctor’s practice, the frequency and timing of screenings are defined based on your individual needs. Generally, you can have the early anomaly (also known as reassurance) scan anywhere between 14 and 19 weeks of pregnancy. So, it’s entirely possible to have your 15 week sonogram.

Possible Reasons to Check Your Baby at 15 Weeks Ultrasound

There can be many reasons to have a 15 week ultrasound. To start with, it can be just a normal practice of your doctor. If that’s the case, your healthcare provider should communicate the approximate schedule of your visits in advance.

Other reasons to have screening at 15 weeks include:

• You’ve fallen behind your care plan. Sometimes, unexpected circumstances step in that can make it impossible to have your first-trimester scan on time. In this case, a doctor may see you later, for example, at 15 weeks.
• Your previous screening was inconclusive. Sometimes, a healthcare provider may not be able to see everything they need during the first-trimester scan. Also, it’s possible that they notice some abnormalities, for example, insufficient fetal growth or others. In both cases, your doctor may schedule you for a follow-up screening to check everything again.
• You have medical indications. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) just recently released its new recommended framework for prenatal care. It suggests greater personalization of care plans based on individual risk factors. Many doctors have been using this approach for many years. They can schedule you for more frequent ultrasounds according to:
  
  • Medical history;
  • Obstetrical history;
  • Family history;
  • Fertility treatment;
  • And other risk factors.

How Is a 15 Week Sonogram Done?

By 15 weeks, your baby is large enough to be seen in an abdominal ultrasound. If you had your first-trimester screening around 11 or 12 weeks, chances are that you already know how the process goes. However, if you had an earlier scan, let's say around 7 weeks, this might be a new procedure for you.

To perform an abdominal ultrasound, the doctor will apply some gel to your belly. Spoiler alert: it might feel a bit cold and discomforting at first. But that’s okay. Then, the doctor will move a transducer around your belly to receive an image.

Although it’s common to have your ultrasound performed transabdominally, some women may have a transvaginal scan. Your doctor can refer you to have this procedure if you have symptoms like pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding. In this case, the doctor will check you for polyps, fibroids, and other issues. Also, the healthcare provider may use a vaginal probe if there is a need for a clearer image, either to scan your baby more thoroughly or to overcome the challenges of doing an abdominal screening in women with high BMI.

What Does a 15 Week Ultrasound Look Like?

Even though you’ve probably already seen your baby earlier, it doesn’t get less exciting to see them again. So, as you’re getting closer to having your ultrasound 15 weeks pregnant, you must be wondering what you will be able to see.

The good news for everyone who had their first-trimester ultrasound very early is that a 15 week ultrasound can show you much more. Your baby at 15 weeks ultrasound already has a distinguished head, torso, and limbs with tiny fingers and toes. That is, you will see a more recognizable human shape than before.

Another exciting news – your baby may start making the first facial expressions around 14 weeks. So, you can expect to see your baby smiling or expressing other emotions during your screening. 

Lastly, you should know that babies are incredibly active at this time. They can occasionally suck their finger, stretch, or kick, and you might be able to see it in an ultrasound. And of course, this can be incredibly exciting, especially now when you will start feeling the first movements soon.

FAQ

Is a normal 15 week ultrasound done externally or internally?

Typically, a 15 week ultrasound is done externally. By this time, the baby should be grown enough to receive clear images using an abdominal ultrasound. However, it’s also possible to have a transvaginal scan in certain cases. It’s mainly used when the doctor can’t receive a clear image transabdominally (for example, due to a high BMI or obesity) or when there is a need for a more detailed examination of the fetus and maternal organs.

How accurately can a doctor determine gender at 15 weeks?

It’s a common practice to wait until at least 15 weeks to determine the baby’s gender. Many providers and studies report a high accuracy rate at this time. Still, it’s believed that 18-22 weeks is the best timing for accurate gender determination.

Can I drink or eat before a 15 week sonogram?

Yes, you can. Generally, there are no limitations on food and drinks. In fact, many providers recommend having a snack and drinking plenty of liquid before the appointment because a full bladder is known to improve image clarity.

Conclusion

Although it’s not a standard practice, some women do have a 15 week sonogram. As you now know, there might be multiple reasons for this, including medical indications and the need to follow up on the results from the previous screening. 

One way or another, there is no need to worry about your 15 week ultrasound. Use this guide to prepare for the procedure and reduce the unknown.

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