Fetal Ultrasound | Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates
Comprehensive women's health, every stage of life
There is something almost miraculous about seeing your baby for the first time, even before they arrive. At Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates, fetal ultrasounds are one of the most meaningful parts of prenatal care we provide, offering a window into your baby’s growth, health, and development throughout your pregnancy. Our highly trained OB/GYNs bring years of experience to every scan, taking the time to walk you through what you’re seeing and answer every question along the way.
To schedule a fetal ultrasound in our Wellesley office, call (781) 235-4000 or request an appointment online.
What Is a Fetal Ultrasound?
A fetal ultrasound is a safe, painless imaging exam that uses sound waves, not radiation, to create a picture of your baby inside the womb. A device called a transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into your abdomen or pelvis. As those waves bounce off your baby, placenta, and the surrounding tissue, they’re translated into real-time images on a screen. It’s the same core technology used across medicine to look inside the body, but during pregnancy, it becomes your first real glimpse of the person you’re about to meet.
Types of Fetal Ultrasounds We Offer
Not every ultrasound looks the same. Which type you’ll have often depends on how far along you are and what your provider needs to see.
Transabdominal Ultrasound
This is the ultrasound most people picture when they think of pregnancy scans, and it’s the standard approach used throughout most of your pregnancy. A technician applies a warm gel to your belly and glides the transducer across your skin, capturing images of your baby that appear on a monitor in front of you. It’s quick, comfortable, and often the moment when a pregnancy starts to feel real.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
Early in pregnancy, your baby is still too small for a transabdominal scan to capture clear detail. A transvaginal ultrasound uses a slim, specially designed probe inserted into the vagina to get a closer look, producing sharper images during those first few weeks. It may sound more invasive than it feels; most patients describe it as similar to a pelvic exam, and our team will always explain the process before beginning.
3D and 4D Ultrasounds
While a standard ultrasound produces a flat, two-dimensional image, advances in imaging technology now allow us to offer 3D and 4D views as well. A 3D ultrasound renders your baby’s features, height, and proportions with striking depth and clarity. A 4D ultrasound takes it a step further, capturing movement in real time, so you might catch your baby stretching, yawning, or turning right before your eyes.
Specialized Fetal Evaluations
In certain pregnancies, your OB/GYN may recommend a more focused evaluation to look closely at a specific concern, such as blood flow, heart function, or facial development. These exams aren’t part of routine care and are typically only ordered when there’s a reason to take a closer look. They include:
- Doppler ultrasound
- Fetal echocardiography
- Specialized sonographic evaluation
Why Fetal Ultrasounds Matter
Most patients have their first detailed anatomy ultrasound around 20 weeks, though scans often begin earlier and continue at intervals throughout pregnancy. Each one tells your care team something new about how your baby is growing. A fetal ultrasound can:
- Confirm and date a pregnancy
- Reveal whether you’re carrying one baby or more
- Track amniotic fluid levels
- Assess the health and placement of the placenta
- Identify your baby’s sex if you’d like to know
- Show your baby’s position and location in the womb
- Screen for potential birth defects
- Measure fetal growth against expected milestones
- Detect possible complications early when they’re most manageable
Because a baby’s development unfolds in stages, no single ultrasound can capture the whole picture. That’s why we ask patients to return every few weeks throughout pregnancy: Each visit builds on the last, giving your provider an evolving, complete view of your baby’s health.
What to Expect at Your Fetal Ultrasound Appointment
We know that pregnancy comes with enough uncertainty already, so we’ve built our ultrasound visits around clarity and reassurance. You’ll never feel rushed through a scan or left wondering what you’re looking at. Our sonographers and OB/GYNs take time to narrate what’s on screen, point out your baby’s features, and explain any next steps in plain language, whether that means celebrating a milestone or scheduling a follow-up look at something worth monitoring.
Why Choose Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates and our partners, Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, for Your Fetal Ultrasounds?
Since 1963, Brigham Wellesley OB/GYN Associates has been a trusted name in women’s health care in the Boston and Wellesley areas. That legacy of clinical excellence now lives alongside a modern, whole-person approach to prenatal care. Our providers combine advanced imaging technology with genuine compassion and warmth, making sure every ultrasound feels less like a routine procedure and more like a shared moment in your pregnancy journey. You’ll never be just a name on a chart here; you’re building a family, and we’re honored to be part of that story.
Schedule Your Fetal Ultrasound Today
Every scan is a chance to check in on your baby and on you. To schedule a fetal ultrasound, call (781) 235-4000 for our Wellesley office or request an appointment online. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.
Fetal Ultrasound FAQs
When will I get my first fetal ultrasound?
Many patients have an early ultrasound around 7-8 weeks to confirm and date the pregnancy, followed by an early anatomy scan and Nuchal Translucency measurement around 12 weeks, then finally by a detailed anatomy scan around 20 weeks. Your provider will map out a schedule based on your individual pregnancy and your needs.
Are fetal ultrasounds safe for my baby?
Yes. Fetal ultrasounds use sound waves rather than radiation, and decades of research and clinical use have shown them to be a safe, reliable way to monitor pregnancy.
Can a fetal ultrasound tell me my baby’s sex?
In most cases, yes. Your baby’s sex can often be determined during the anatomy scan around 18 to 20 weeks, though positioning can sometimes make this harder to confirm. Babies have a mind of their own, even while in utero, so we often have to work with them to get that perfect image and confirm whether you’re expecting a baby girl or baby boy.
Do I need a full bladder for my ultrasound?
It depends on the type of scan and how far along you are. Early transabdominal ultrasounds sometimes require a full bladder for clearer images, while later scans typically don’t. Our team will let you know how to prepare for your ultrasound before you come in for your appointment.
What happens if my ultrasound shows a potential concern?
If your provider notices something that needs a closer look, they’ll walk you through what it means, explain any recommended follow-up imaging or testing, and support you through next steps with clear, compassionate guidance.