16 Weeks Ultrasound is done at 16 Weeks pregnancy time.It is the Fourth month of the pregnancy stage.
Mother
At 16 weeks Ultrasound, You may start to feel a slight sensation in your lower abdomen (called quickening). This feels like bubbles or fluttering. When you feel the baby’s movement, write down the date and tell your health care provider. This helps determine when your baby is due.
You will probably be noticeably pregnant at 16 weeks , as your waistline disappears and your muscles and ligaments begin to relax. Your appetite may increase as you begin to feel better, and rapid weight gain may follow. Eat carefully to ensure optimal nutrition for you and your growing baby. You may want to switch to looser clothing, but be sure your maternity bra is properly fitted and provides adequate support. At this stage of the pregnancy, you may notice changes in skin pigmentation on your face, breasts and arms, and your nipples and areola may darken.
Tests and Scans: At about 16 weeks pregnancy, you may undergo a blood test to check the level of alpha-fetoprotein in your blood (called an AFP Screening), an indicator of Down’s syndrome or spina bifida. The Triple Test, also known as the Bart’s triple test, is similar to the AFP screening but measures other hormones in your blood, such as oestriol and human chorionic gonadotrophin. If you are over 35 or there is a history of chromosomal abnormalities in your family, you may be offered an amniocentesis test at about 16 weeks.
Baby
The baby’s skin in pink, somewhat transparent and is covered with fine hair called lanugo. His tiny fingernails are now visible. The baby’s face continues to develop. Eyebrows and eyelashes begin to appear in this month. Buds on the side of the head begin to form into the outer ear and he can hear your voice now.
The tail has disappeared from the fetus and the head makes up about half of the baby’s size. The baby’s neck is long enough to lift the head from the body. The baby moves, kicks, sleeps, wakes, swallows, and passes urine. By the end of the fourth month, your baby will be 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) crown to rump in length and weigh about 5 ounces (about 140 grams).
Note that World Health Organization recommends that women should have eight contacts with a health provider during pregnancy to screen for potential complications and treat problems as they arise including prevention of antepartum stillbirths. Make sure you always ask question about your pregnancy health anytime you need it. You may also ask pregnancy question here
Remember when you visit a doctor for ultrasound scan, you should know that there are two types of pregnancy ultrasound scans :
- Transabdominal (TAS)
- Transvaginal (TVS)
In Transabdominal scans(TAS), the scan is performed by placing an Ultrasound transducer or probe on the abdomen and moving it around to create images of the developing baby and the surrounding structures.As the ultrasound probe is moving across your abdomen the image of your womb and surrounding organs will be also seen including your developing baby in your womb.
In Transvaginal (TVS), the scan is performed using a small, hand-held probe that is inserted into the vagina. This type of scan is generally used to assess the the womb so as to obtain images of the baby during early pregnancy.
How to prepare for ultrasound scan
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your ultrasound:
- Drink plenty of water before your appointment. This will help ensure that your bladder is full, which is necessary for a good ultrasound image.
- Don’t empty your bladder before the ultrasound. You may be asked to do this if your bladder isn’t full enough, but it’s best to wait until after the exam is done.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You’ll likely need to undress from the waist down, so wearing something that’s easy to take off (and put back on) will make the process go more smoothly.
- Relax and enjoy the experience! Ultrasounds are an amazing way to bond with
