Level 2 Ultrasound

Hi Everyone! I have had a few people ask me the difference between a "normal" ultrasound versus a level 2 ultrasound that I will be having. Here is a little information that explains it pretty good!!

What differentiates the types of ultrasounds you may receive over the course of your pregnancy is when they’re performed and the level of detail they provide. Some practitioners perform a level 1 sonogram before 12 weeks to date a pregnancy. First trimester sonograms are also increasingly used as a prenatal screening tool (along with the usual battery of blood tests). The more-detailed level 2 sonogram (also called an anatomy scan) is typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks and gives your practitioner more crucial information about what’s going on in that belly of yours. For example, it can measure the size of the fetus and evaluate your baby’s major organs to make sure they’ve formed properly. It can also determine the amount of amniotic fluid (the magic potion that feeds and protects your baby) to make sure there’s enough. A level 2 ultrasound can also detect cervical changes that might indicate preterm labor and show whether the baby is in a breech position. Ultrasound can even evaluate the size and condition of your placenta and will give your practitioner a picture (literally) of the overall health of your baby and your pregnancy.