What to Expect at the 12-Week Ultrasound Appointment

Between regular checkups, bloodwork and routine tests, there are a lot of prenatal appointments to keep up with. Each visit is important, but they’re not always “fun,” per se. Of course, the appointments where you get a peek at your little one via ultrasound tend to be a bit more exciting.

If you’re approaching week 12, you might have an ultrasound appointment on the horizon. So what happens at the 12 week-ultrasound, and what will you actually be able to see on screen? Below, experts give the full lowdown on this scan—and real moms share about their experiences.

Why Would You Get an Ultrasound at 12 Weeks?

For most routine pregnancies, there’s a standard prenatal visit schedule that providers tend to stick to—which includes ultrasounds. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that, technically, the only “standard” ultrasound happens between weeks 18 and 22 gestation. That said, it’s common for providers to also perform an ultrasound during the first trimester, which can be as early as 6 to 8 weeks, to confirm the pregnancy by listening for a heartbeat, measure baby, determine if there are multiples and calculate your estimated due date.

So is a 12-week ultrasound the norm? In short: Yes, but it’s not mandatory. There are two reasons you may get an ultrasound at 12 weeks pregnant. First, it may just be a form of catch-up care if you weren’t able to have your first-trimester ultrasound around the 6- to 8-week stage. According to Kim-Anh Ngoc Tran, MD, an ob-gyn in Marrero, Louisiana, “All pregnant patients have a dating ultrasound in the first trimester.”

If you already had your first-trimester ultrasound between weeks 6 and 8, you may still end up with another ultrasound at or around the 12-week mark; it’s commonly recommended as part of a comprehensive prenatal care plan—but it’s optional. It’s part of the nuchal translucency screening, explains Shahin Ghadir, MD, an ob-gyn at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills, California.

How to Prepare for the 12-Week Ultrasound

The good news: There’s not much you need to do to prepare for a 12-week ultrasound. Whether this is your standard first-trimester ultrasound or you’ve opted for a nuchal translucency screening, the prep is the same.

Sahar Wertheimer, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at HRC Fertility in Beverly Hills, California, says there’s a chance your doctor might perform part or all of the ultrasound transvaginally; just in case, you’ll want to have an empty bladder. On the other hand, if your provider is performing the ultrasound abdominally, it’s recommended you drink about an hour before the screening and refrain from emptying your bladder, per Cleveland Clinic.

What Happens at the 12-Week Ultrasound?

In all likelihood, the 12-week ultrasound will be performed abdominally; your provider will apply a gel to the lower part of your abdomen and then use a handheld transducer to spread the gel and move around your abdomen, explains Wertheimer. She adds that, if the 12-week ultrasound is performed transvaginally, a wand-shaped transducer (the tool that sends sound waves through the body) will be covered in protective latex, lubricated and inserted into the vagina.

During the ultrasound, your provider will move the transducer around to see different angles of fetus. They may freeze an image to take measurements, or—in the case of a nuchal translucency screening—the nuchal fold and the fluid behind baby’s neck. Essentially, these measurements are used to assess baby’s chances of having genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and certain congenital malformations, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Your provider is likely to print out some keepsake photos for you. When the ultrasound is over, you’ll need to clean up the gel or lubricant, but otherwise shouldn’t feel any physical discomfort from the screening.

What Does the 12-week Ultrasound Screen For?

According to Wertheimer, a nuchal translucency screening occurs “between 11 to 13 weeks to help identify any possible markers of chromosomal abnormalities.” While this is a screening test offered to anyone, Tran notes that it’s specifically encouraged for patients who are “at high risk for genetic or structural abnormalities.”

During the screening, a provider measures the nuchal fold, which is a small pad of tissue and fluid behind baby’s neck, which is usually thicker in a baby with a chromosomal abnormality or genetic condition, says Wertheimer. However, it’s important to note that the ultrasound scan simply measures the nuchal fold, it does not offer specific diagnoses.

What Can You See at the 12-Week Ultrasound?

At 12 weeks, in addition to baby’s nuchal fold, an ultrasound can pick up a number of other developments. “You can see most anatomic structures including the fingers and toes,” says Wertheimer. She adds that at 12 weeks, your ultrasound tech or provider might be able to discern baby’s sex—since the genitals start to emerge at this point. “But female genitalia may not be completely visible until 14 weeks,” she adds.

Ghadir adds that providers can also determine if you’re pregnant with multiples at the 12-week ultrasound, though if you had an earlier ultrasound this would likely already have been detected.

Fetal development at 12 weeks

At 12 weeks, baby is about 2.1 inches long—or around the size of a plum. Despite being so teeny, baby already has all their limbs, bones, organs and muscles. Moreover, their digestive, urinary and circulatory systems are up and running, according to experts. Baby also has an identifiable profile with a defined nose and chin. They can open and close their fingers, and they can curl their tiny toes. Their brain is continuing to develop rapidly, and they even have reflexes already (which you may be able to see via ultrasound). Learn more about baby’s development this week, here.

12-Week ultrasound pictures

Whether your 12-week ultrasound is performed vaginally or abdominally, your provider will usually take pictures and print them out for you to proudly hang up on the fridge. The images may still be somewhat blurry, but you’ll be able to identify baby’s shape much better than you could during earlier ultrasounds. Your 12-week ultrasound pictures may look something like this:

To Sum It Up

Whether or not you have a 12-week ultrasound depends on a variety of factors. If you opt for the nuchal translucency screening or you’re a little behind on your first-trimester ultrasound, you may end up with an appointment scheduled at this stage.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.