There are times when women find out about their pregnancy at a decent time. There are many ways to confirm a special situation using the analysis of hCG, various tests. But sometimes the above methods do not always carry reliable information. Can an ultrasound not show pregnancy? We will talk about this in this article.
Why do I need an ultrasound during pregnancy?
One of the most accurate methods for determining pregnancy is ultrasound. With it, the doctor can see the fetal egg in the uterine cavity and determine the approximate duration.
Ultrasound is divided into types:
- Transrectal - is carried out through the rectum. This procedure does not apply to pregnant women, since it is most often performed for girls who do not live sexually.
- Transvaginal - done through the vagina, suitable only for women in early pregnancy. It is believed that examination by this method is the most reliable.
- Transabdominal directed to the examination of the pelvic organs, is carried out through the anterior abdominal wall.
- Combined - combines the last two methods of ultrasound, carried out for a complete diagnosis.
- 3D, 4D - allow you to get a realistic image of the baby. And thanks to the 4D ultrasound method, you can see the movements and even facial expressions of the child in real time. Usually carried out to clarify the condition of the fetus.
What week does an ultrasound show pregnancy?
Transvaginal ultrasound is usually used to confirm early pregnancy. Many mothers are tormented by the question: “What week is the pregnancy seen at the ultrasound?” Let's get it right. This method allows you to determine the ovum for 3-4 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the level of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) should be at least 1800 units. This indicator is one of the important, as it allows you to more accurately determine the presence of pregnancy and its course.
Can the doctor not determine the pregnancy
But let's get back to the question whether ultrasound may not show pregnancy. Such cases occur quite often. If hCG is positive, and ultrasound does not show pregnancy, then in most cases this can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. It is also worth noting that in the presence of a fetal egg, one cannot be completely sure of pregnancy, since it can be empty. A uzist can confidently confirm an “interesting position” only if he finds the embryo itself. At 3 weeks from conception, the size of the fetal egg is 4 mm. At this time, only it is displayed on the ultrasound, and closer to the fifth week you can find the embryo itself.
Early ultrasound
Pregnancy ultrasound in the first weeks is considered uninformative. Moreover, doctors do not recommend it in the absence of medical indicators. These indicators include: the threat of miscarriage, fertilization problems, bleeding, suspected ectopic pregnancy. Experts explain this by the fact that when the fetal egg is attached, the uterus should be at rest, since unnecessary intervention can provoke an abortion. That is why, it is advisable to conduct the first ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy no earlier than the fifth week.
Why ultrasound does not show pregnancy: the main reasons
Can an ultrasound not show pregnancy not only in the early stages, but also in the later ones? In practice, this happens. For example, at 10-11 weeks of gestation, a doctor may send a woman to an abortion without revealing an “interesting position”, but suspecting an ectopic pregnancy. Why it happens?
We suggest identifying a number of reasons:
- Lack of proper experience and qualifications of a doctor.
- Due to the anatomical features of the structure of the uterus (for example, an unusual shape), the apparatus may not reveal a fetal egg.
- Pregnancy is too short. The yolk sac, which is part of the fetal egg, the doctor will be able to examine no earlier than the fifth week. That is why before this period there is no point in conducting an ultrasound in a antenatal clinic.
Everyone can make a mistake, therefore, in the event of a similar situation, one should not panic, but it is better to double-check it again: take a second analysis for hCG, consult another specialist.
The entire period of pregnancy is very important not only for the woman, but also for the baby, since every day he undergoes changes and develops at a tremendous speed. As a rule, a uzist doctor determines the gestational age based on the size of the fetus. Consider the size of the fetus by weeks of pregnancy by ultrasound
First trimester
1. 1 week is not counted from the moment of conception, but from the start date of the last critical days. From that moment, the doctor announces the preliminary date of birth. Such a calculation is made because at the beginning of the next menstruation, an egg is formed, the fertilization of which, with a successful set of circumstances, occurs after about two weeks. Therefore, it is too early to talk about the size of the fetus.
2. Around the end of the second week, conception occurs. At the gestational age by ultrasound 2.5 weeks of pregnancy, the size of the unborn baby is not more than 0.1-0.2 mm. At this time, the child has not yet acquired human features, and is more comparable to a poppy seed. It is likely that even at 2.5 weeks of gestation the size of the fetus will not be determined, so conducting an examination at this time can be considered a meaningless exercise.
3. The fetus will turn 5 weeks old, but according to obstetric calculations we are talking about 3 weeks. We mentioned earlier that gynecologists begin counting from the first day of critical days. At this time, the process of movement of the zygote through the fallopian tube to the uterus continues. The fruit is 0.15 mm.
4. At the beginning of 4 weeks, the zygote reaches the uterus and is implanted in its mucous membrane, which can cause slight bleeding. The size of the fetal egg is 1 mm, comparable to sesame seed.
5. Miscarriages often occur during this period, so at this time the expectant mother must carefully monitor her health. Meanwhile, the fetal egg is growing rapidly, at 5 weeks of gestation, the size of the fetus reaches 1.25 mm.
6. At 6 weeks, the embryo can already be seen using ultrasound. At this time, he begins to move, but his movements are not yet felt by his mother, since the embryo is very small. Its size is 2-4 mm.
7. At this time, the heart beats in the embryo, the tail begins to disappear, which finally disappears by the end of the tenth week. The weight of the fetus at this period is 0.8 g, and the size is 4-5 mm, comparable in size to a pea.
8. This week, the fetus reaches a length of 1.6 cm, and its weight is already 3 g. At this time, changes are taking place not only with the unborn baby, but also with his mother. A woman may notice breast enlargement, darkening of the nipple halo, as well as abdominal pain associated with a rapid increase in the uterus. Painful sensations should pass soon. Baby at 8 weeks gestation is similar in size to the bean.
9. A nine-week-old embryo develops a swallowing reflex; it already knows how to compress and unclench its fists. Installed systems and organs continue to form rapidly. At this time, the size of the crumbs reaches 2.3 cm, and its weight can vary from 5 to 15 g.
10. From this period, the mother’s tummy begins to grow, especially if the pregnancy is not the first. In the mother’s body, a placenta is formed, thanks to which the baby will receive food. The length of the fetus reaches 3.1 cm, and the weight may remain unchanged. Compare the crumbs in size with an average plum.
11. This week, the fetus forms an intestine. Now he already knows how to yawn, turn, move his legs and arms. But mother cannot yet feel his movement, because he is still very small. The size of the crumbs in length is about 4.1 cm, and its weight is 7 g.
12. By this time, the baby has already formed the urinary and circulatory systems. Now the coccygeal-parietal size (KTR) reaches 5.4 cm.
13. This week is the final in the first trimester. As a rule, the first ultrasound is prescribed at this time. The size of the fruit is about 7.4 cm, and weight is 20 grams.
Second trimester
14. This week begins the second trimester. Since that time, significant external changes appear: the fetus begins to grow hair, his eyes approach and facial expressions appear. Now the baby reaches about 10 cm, and its weight is 30 grams.
15. At this time, the fetus presents a miniature copy of the newborn. The future baby is growing rapidly, in length it reaches 11 cm, and the weight is 50 grams. At this time, the fruit is comparable in size to an avocado.
16. At this time, the mother can feel the first movements of her crumbs. The fetus continues to improve the face, the bladder is actively working and the nails are completing their formation. The kid reaches 15 cm in length, and it weighs about 100 grams. You can compare the baby at week 16 with a small carrot.
17. At this time, the baby hears sounds, distinguishes between the voices of father and mother. Now the baby reaches up to 18 centimeters in length and 150 grams in weight. At week 17, the size of the crumb is similar to average potato.
18. At this time, an ultrasound scan by a qualified doctor can identify the sex of the unborn child. For the entire time that the baby was in the tummy, the baby has grown significantly stronger, it reaches 20 cm in length and 200 grams in weight. And in size, the fruit is comparable to a medium-sized tomato.
19. Every day the baby's movements are more distinct. Now, not only my mother can feel the movements, but also other relatives, if they put a hand on her stomach. Over a week, the fetus gained 30 g in weight and 2 cm in height. Now the fruit is comparable in size to a banana.
20. As a rule, at this time, the gynecologist appoints a second planned ultrasound examination. At week 20, the baby already has hair on its head, tiny nails and an expressive face. Its dimensions are about 25 cm, and weight is approximately 300 g. The size of the crumbs is similar to a small bunny.
21. Now the fetus reaches 26 cm in length and 350 g in weight. The baby weighs roughly, like a large mango.
22. This week, internal organs continue to develop. The growth rate of the fetus slows down a bit, as the emphasis is on weight gain. So, the growth of the future baby remains unchanged, but its weight is already 475 grams. In size, the fruit at week 22 resembles an emperor penguin egg.
23. Now the fruit is growing by leaps and bounds. At this time, its parameters are 500 grams of weight and 30 centimeters in length. The corn cob will serve as an analogue for comparison.
24. The fetus is growing rapidly, so in the uterus it becomes closer every day. The baby's dimensions at this time are about 30 cm, and his weight has increased by as much as a hundred grams. Now the unborn child is similar in size to green coconut.
25. At this time, the development and improvement of the baby continues. Now mom feels active kicks and regular shocks in her tummy. KTR at 25 weeks is 32 cm, and weight - 700 g.
26. At this time, the rounded shape of the tummy is clearly visible to others. Now the baby's weight reaches 800 g and height is 33 cm. The fruit is comparable in size to a head of broccoli.
Third trimester
27. So the final trimester of pregnancy began. For six months in the tummy, the baby already knows how to: suck fingers, recognize the voices of parents, recognize salty and sweet foods. Toddler is growing fast. At week 27, his weight reaches 900 g, and his height is 34 cm.
28. At this time, a pregnant woman may experience training fights. The most important thing for a future mother is to be able to distinguish between training fights and real ones. As for the baby, now he smells, distinguishes tastes, knows how to see and hear. KTR crumbs is 35 cm, and its weight reached the mark of one kilogram.
29. By this time, the child in the tummy should occupy the head presentation. The crumb in my mother’s tummy is getting even closer, so he no longer has a chance to tumble. KTR is 37 cm, and its weight has reached the mark of 1.2 kg. By weight, the fruit is comparable to an ostrich egg.
30. This week, the crumbs are actively forming vision and developing the nervous system, and some character traits begin to take shape. The growth of the crumbs can be approximately 37-38 cm, and its weight reaches 1.4 kg.
31. Around this time, the expectant mother needs to undergo the third planned ultrasound. Over a week, the baby grew up well and its height is about 40 cm, and weight - 1.6 kg. Approximately the same weight as a newborn lion cub.
32. At this time, the baby's cheeks were rounded, the skin acquired a light pink hue, and very soon he would have folds on the arms and legs. KTR of the fetus is 42 cm, and weight is 1.8 kg.
33. The fetal indicators at week 33 are as follows: weight - 2 kg, height - 43 cm. By weight, the baby is comparable to a large pineapple.
34. The heart of the child is almost already formed. The kid is actively gaining grams, because of this, the mother can notice a decent weight gain, as well as face heartburn and digestive problems. Now the growth of crumbs varies from 42 to 43 cm, and the weight is 2.1 kg. In size, the fruit is comparable to a melon.
35. Until the expected date of birth, it remains to wait quite a bit, but even if the baby is born earlier, then there is nothing to worry about, since the baby is physically ready for this. Its activity is significantly reduced due to lack of space in the uterus, but still the mother needs to monitor and count the tremors of the baby. The sizes of the child at 35 weeks are 46 cm and 2.5 kg, reminiscent of the weight of an average pumpkin.
36. It is worth noting that the size of the fetus directly depends on genetic characteristics. The average fetal parameters this week are: height - 48 cm, weight - 2.7 kg.
37. This week, the fetus is considered already full-term. The average size of the crumbs can be about 3 kilograms and over 50 centimeters in height. In size, the baby resembles a medium-sized watermelon.
38. The omission of the abdomen is a harbinger of childbirth, and every mother at this time should already be ready for this. No changes in the development of the baby are already taking place, as well as its weight and height at this time can remain unchanged.
39. The baby’s fetus can no longer be called exactly, since there is a full-fledged newborn in the tummy that can be born at any moment. This week, the size of the baby can reach over 50 cm in height and 3.5 kg.
40. On this path of pregnancy comes to an end. As a rule, most babies are born between 38 and 42 weeks, but still 40 weeks are considered to be the gestational age.
How to be
So, the answer to the question “Can an ultrasound not show pregnancy” is received. Now we know that this situation is quite real. But what should a woman do in this case? First of all, it is important not to be nervous and concentrate. To finally deal with this issue, it is recommended to contact another clinic and undergo an ultrasound again. The examination is best done on expert-grade equipment, since such equipment has a high resolution. In addition, the examination should be accompanied by a blood test for hCG levels.
To summarize
Practice shows that cases when an ultrasound doctor can not detect pregnancy, are quite common. In such a situation, it is important for future parents to remain calm and make every effort so that the errors of diagnostic examinations are not worth the life of the baby.