16 week ultrasound guide: Procedure and what you’ll see

16 weeks is the second trimester in pregnancy. During this time, your baby continues growing and developing rapidly, and is already the size of an avocado.

Generally, it’s not very typical to have a 16 week ultrasound. In many pregnancies, there are only two screenings – during the first-trimester (between 8 and 14 weeks) and the second-trimester (between 18 and 20 weeks). Still, it’s possible to have more screenings, either due to your doctor’s practice or personal risk factors.

If you were scheduled for one, a 16 week sonogram is usually performed transabdominally. It should show you a well-formed, though still small, baby with its head, torso, limbs, fingers, toes, and some facial features.

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When you step into the second trimester, the so-called “golden period” of your pregnancy begins. Weeks 13 through 27, you will feel that your early pregnancy symptoms and morning sickness disappear. You will feel more energized and generally better. And your baby bump will start growing rapidly, which might be something you’ve been looking forward to.

As you’re moving further along in your pregnancy, you will likely feel more excited, preparing for your baby to arrive. While this time can be somewhat anxious, one thing that typically helps reduce the unknown and gain peace of mind is your planned prenatal care visits.

In this guide, we’ll talk about one of the possible milestones – a 16 week ultrasound. We’ll clarify when and why it might be done, detail the procedure, and tell you about what you’ll see so that you feel prepared for what’s to come.

Is It Typical to Have an Ultrasound 16 Weeks Pregnant?

Generally, a 16 week ultrasound is not a part of a standard prenatal care schedule. In many pregnancies, there will be two essential ultrasounds. The first one is conducted in the first trimester, typically between 8 weeks and 14 weeks. During this time, healthcare providers should confirm pregnancy viability and estimate the due date.

The next standardized screening happens later in the second trimester, usually between 18 and 20 weeks. It’s known as an anatomy ultrasound, during which the doctor will check your baby’s major organs and systems to rule out any problems.

As you can see, a 16 week ultrasound falls somewhere in between the standard planned visits. However, it’s not at all impossible to have another screening during this time. And it can be performed for a number of reasons.

Why Might You Get a 16 Week Ultrasound?

As you now know, it’s very common to have two primary ultrasounds in pregnancy – a first-trimester and a second-trimester one. However, this is not a rule. Quite many mothers-to-be have more screenings. The earliest can be done at 5 weeks, and the subsequent schedule is usually determined based on individual needs.

The reasons to have more frequent ultrasounds can vary greatly. In particular, your healthcare provider might recommend that you have additional screenings if:

• It’s your doctors’ normal practice, and they want to monitor the baby’s progress more closely.
• You’ve missed one or several appointments for any reason and are now behind on your prenatal care.
• There is a need to double-check for a multiple pregnancy, especially if your symptoms or fundal height don’t match the believed gestational age.
• You have reported any complications, such as bleeding or pain.
• There is a need for a more detailed check for fetal conditions, including Down syndrome, spina bifida, heart abnormalities, and others.
• You have risk factors that require a more close monitoring, for example, due to your personal medical history or obstetrical history.

Whether due to personal risk factors or your doctor’s practice, it’s possible to have your ultrasound 16 weeks pregnant. And it’s not necessarily a cause of concern. In most cases, a more thorough prenatal care is just a way to ensure that your pregnancy runs smoothly and address any issues in a timely manner to protect fetal and maternal health.

How Is a 16 Week Ultrasound Done?

Even if it doesn’t fit into a standard schedule, a 16 week ultrasound is a routine procedure, meaning that there is not much to prepare for.

As is typical for this timing, an ultrasound is most frequently performed transabdominally. The healthcare specialist will apply gel to your belly and move a transducer around it to receive a clear, 2D image. This is a rather fast, noninvasive procedure that shouldn’t cause any discomfort, except perhaps the gel that might feel a little cold or extra pressure that the technician can cause on your belly sometimes.

Traditionally, when you have your ultrasound 16 weeks pregnant, the doctor will check for the following:

• Baby size (crown rump length)
• Heartbeat (for reconfirmation)
• The development of the spine and other major systems

All these checks are performed solely to ensure that the development of your baby goes as expected.

Often, healthcare providers also want to check for fetal movement. So, you shouldn’t be surprised if the doctor slightly pokes your belly to stimulate movement. Also, you might be asked to change your position during the procedure. This might be needed to get a better angle of view and check your baby thoroughly.

What Does a 16 Week Ultrasound Look Like?

One of the biggest concerns many women have before every pregnancy screening is what they will be able to see. Setting realistic expectations is the most important thing in this matter as it helps reduce anxiety and prevent disappointment, especially in early pregnancy, when the baby might not look exactly as you expect it to.

So, what should you expect to see during a normal 16 week ultrasound?

The good news is that your baby is already quite developed by 16 weeks. It has a well-formed head and torso, as well as limbs with small fingers and toes. So, you can definitely expect to see a fetus that already looks more like a baby, compared to earlier scans.

You also need to know that your baby has already developed many of its facial features. If the image is clear, you should be able to see the nose, eyes, and mouth. And, here comes the most exciting part – your baby starts making facial expressions as early as 14 weeks, meaning that you can also see them during an ultrasound, which can be very emotional.

How Big Is Your Baby at 16 Weeks Ultrasound?

Although you can see quite a lot during this procedure, it’s important to remember that your baby is still quite small. On average, a baby at 16 weeks ultrasound is 11.6 cm long, which is the size of an avocado. So, don’t be surprised to see a still very small baby during your scan. And also, remember that the actual size of the baby can slightly vary, and it’s okay.

In any case, your healthcare provider will likely take baby measurements during your 16 week ultrasound. This is an important part of prenatal care that allows doctors to assess fetal growth and confirm your gestational age and due date.

FAQ

Do I need special preparation for a 16 week ultrasound?

Even though it’s natural to feel a little anxious before your screenings, there really is not much to prepare for in a 16 week ultrasound. This scan follows a standard procedure. Most often, it’s done transabdominally, unless there is a need for a more detailed image, which is when the doctor can recommend a transvaginal probe. If you’re having an abdominal ultrasound, there are only a few things you can do to prepare:

• Wear loose clothes for easy access to the belly.
• Consider drinking more liquid before the procedure because a full bladder can help receive a higher-quality image.

How long does it usually take to have a 16 week ultrasound?

This is a rather fast procedure. In many cases, it only takes 20-30 minutes. However, don’t worry if your screening takes longer than that. Sometimes, the sonographer may not be able to receive a clear view of the baby, for example, when the fetus moves too much or takes an awkward position. In this case, it can require more time to complete the screening.

What is the chance that I will learn my baby’s sex during a 16 week sonogram?

There is a possibility of determining your baby’s gender at 16 weeks. Generally, the time between 18 and 22 weeks is thought to be the best for determining gender with maximum accuracy. Still, many healthcare providers show a fairly high accuracy rate of gender determination even earlier. But it’s important to remember that the possibility of determining sex depends a lot on your baby’s position. Sometimes, the sonographer might not be able to get a clear view to make an accurate prediction. In this case, a follow-up is typically required later in pregnancy.

Conclusion

As you now know, having your ultrasound 16 weeks pregnant may not be very typical for a standard prenatal care schedule. Still, it is possible. Your healthcare provider might recommend that you have this procedure for a number of reasons, including the specs of their practice and personal risk factors.

One way or another, there are no reasons to worry about your 16 week ultrasound. It’s a normal procedure needed to ensure fetal and maternal health and make your pregnancy journey smooth and healthy. Use the information you’ve learned from this article to reduce anxiety and know what to prepare for.

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