Get under my skin. (Ultrasound Scanning)

Member Name: Claribella

Product:	Ultrasound Scanning
Date:	05/01/09 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: You can see under the skin

Disadvantages: You can see to much sometimes

When I found out I was pregnant the first thing that enters my mind is 'I can't wait to see it'. With my first son I had to wait until twenty weeks before I got to see him but by the time I got around to my second they were offering a 'Dating scan' at twelve weeks. Both experiences are totally different.

The date for my twelve week scan came and I think most people find it quite nerve racking. I was just hoping and praying that everything would be fine and the baby would be alive and well. Whilst I was lying on the bed I waited eagerly and anxiuosly for the midwife to tell me everything was fine. Thankfully it was and she showed us this tiny little dot on the screen. I could see my baby's arms, legs, body and head and a tiny heart beating away. He as moving around and having a little party in there! I stayed int he room for around 5-10 minutes and left with a little photo which was so clear and a definate due date.

At the 20 week scan you will have a sonographer instead of a midwife. The sonographer is experienced in measuring and checking that all of your babies organs are in order. This scan took much longer and was much more detailed. We could see our baby more clearly than the first scan and most places will tell you the sex of your baby if you want to know. I was happy not to know both times.

I had to have another scan at 37 weeks because I had opted for a home birth and they needed to make sure my baby was the right way around so our midwife didn't have any surprises. This was totally different again. My baby was breech so he was the wrong way around. I was a bit on edge because I was paranoid the midwife would slip out the baby's sex. It was amazing to see him again though.

I did have to have two more scans after the above because they had to turn him and make sure he stayed the right way around. Then I had another one because I turned down an induction and they wanted to make sure he was ok.

I have to say that I never tired of seeing my babies on the screen. It was such an emotional experience for both my hubby and I. Even when I had scan after scan for my second pregnancy I thought I wouldn't be as emotional but I always welled up. I'm not one of these people that cries at just about everything but I just couldn't help it. It's so amazing that you can see the life that is growing inside you and that we have the technology to determine what sex a child is before it's even born. They can even give you an estimation on the weight of your baby although a lot of people I know have been expecting an elephant but the babies weight has been normal, so they don't always get it right.

If you fancy it you can also pay to hve a 3D or 4D scan done. They cost around £200 and you get see your baby in alot more detail. I don't think it'll be long before a 3D scan is the norm though. I never chose one of these because I think you can know too much about your unborn child. Some things are just meant to be left as a surprise.

I found out after I had my son that they also use Ultrasounds for other things too. They used it on his hips when he was a few weeks old to make sure they were positioned correctly as he was breech so late in the pregnancy. My hubby had one on his heart too when he got ill.

This is an amazing piece of equipment.

Summary: An amazing creation.