Ultrasound

There are various reasons to make an ultrasound during your pregnancy. For example, you may want to check yourself early in the pregnancy to see if your baby's heart is beating, but it may also be that your midwife refers you to have an ultrasound.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound gets its name from the use of high-frequency sound waves, also known as ‘ultrasound’. Your baby's internal organs and bones reflect this sound and through the ultrasound equipment it is converted into images. In this way your baby's organs and structures can be assessed. You cannot hear the sound waves and they are harmless to both mother and child. So X-rays are not being used here. An ultrasound examination can vary from 10 to 45 minutes.

An ultrasound can be performed both internally and externally. Ultrasounds before the 10th week of pregnancy are usually performed internally as this way provides a better view of the uterus and the baby.  Ultrasounds after this time can be performed externally. Although there may be reason to perform the ultrasound internally at a later stage of the pregnancy. For example when the placenta is positioned near the cervix and a more detailed view is required.

Types of ultrasounds

At Focus Midwifery Centre you may request an ultrasound yourself, such as an early ultrasound to determine whether the baby's heart is beating or to find out the sex of your baby. We call this an "ultrasound by request". You may also be referred by your midwife for a medical ultrasound to see if the baby is growing well or to determine the location of the placenta. We call this an "ultrasound by referral". The cost of an ultrasound by referral is covered by your health insurance, while ultrasounds by request are payable.

By referral    By request