Dating Ultrasound

Our goal is to provide a safe, accurate, and compassionate imaging experience while ensuring the highest quality diagnostic care for both patient and baby.

Dating ultrasounds are typically booked approximately 8 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP), unless your referring healthcare provider has specifically requested an earlier examination. Around 8 weeks is often the ideal time for accurate pregnancy dating and visualization.

Please understand that during a dating ultrasound, we may not always be able to show you the fetus or provide viewing opportunities. This can depend on factors including:

• The gestational age of the pregnancy. A pregnancy that is dating less than 6 weeks gestational age may not be seen with ultrasound.
• Specific findings during the examination or complexity of the examination and/or technical limitations.

For patient comfort and privacy, we allow one guest to join at the end of the exam whenever possible. This allows the sonographer to fully concentrate on obtaining all required diagnostic images and measurements without interruption. In some situations, depending on the findings or complexity of the scan, guest viewing may not be possible.

During the examination you may notice the ultrasound screen is not visible while the technologist is scanning. This allows the sonographer to focus carefully on obtaining the best possible diagnostic images for the radiologist’s interpretation.

Your sonographer will assess and confirm your baby’s heartbeat as part of the examination. Fetal heart rate is typically evaluated using M-mode (Motion Mode) ultrasound, which measures and records the movement of the baby’s heart over time. This allows the heart rate to be accurately calculated while using standard ultrasound imaging.

By comparison, the familiar “heartbeat sound” heard during some scans is produced using Doppler audio, which uses a different ultrasound technique to detect motion and blood flow and convert it into an audible sound. Because Doppler technology uses higher acoustic energy than M-mode, current ultrasound safety recommendations support using M-mode for routine fetal heart rate assessment, especially during the first trimester.

While the heartbeat is carefully monitored and documented to ensure your baby’s well-being, audio playback of the heartbeat is not provided during the examination.

Our technologists are highly trained professionals whose primary responsibility is image acquisition. They are unable to provide results or discuss findings during the appointment. All images are reviewed by a radiologist, and results are sent to your referring healthcare provider.

Patients can enjoy free access to both their ultrasound images and reports through PocketHealth following their examination. PocketHealth is a secure online portal that allows you to view, download, and share your imaging records anytime, from any device. This provides an easy and convenient way to keep your pregnancy images and reports accessible throughout your care journey. https://www.pocket.health/en-US/EDI/intro

We understand early pregnancy ultrasounds can be an emotional and exciting experience, and we appreciate your understanding as we prioritize accurate diagnostic imaging and patient care.