Understanding Pregnancy Ultrasounds: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

July 25, 2025

Finding out you might be pregnant can stir up many emotions – joy, fear, confusion, or even disbelief. No matter where you are on that emotional spectrum, one of the most important steps you can take early in pregnancy is receiving an ultrasound.

At Amnion Pregnancy Center, we provide free, limited obstetrical ultrasounds to give you clear information, peace of mind, and compassionate care. But what exactly is an ultrasound, and why is it so important during pregnancy?

Let’s explore how this amazing, safe technology works and how it helps us care for both you and your baby.

What Is an Ultrasound?

An ultrasound (also called a sonogram) is a non-invasive imaging test that uses sound waves to create real-time images of the inside of your body.

In pregnancy, an ultrasound allows trained medical professionals to view the developing embryo or fetus, the uterus, and other structures without using radiation or causing harm.

The word “ultrasound” comes from the technology itself. It works by:

1. Sending out high-frequency sound waves through a device called a transducer
2. These waves bounce off tissues, fluids, and bones inside your body
3. A computer interprets the returning echoes and turns them into black-and-white images

Ultrasounds are one of the safest and most widely used diagnostic tools in pregnancy care.

Why Is an Ultrasound Important During Pregnancy?

A pregnancy test simply notifies the possibility of pregnancy, but an ultrasound confirms vital details about what’s really happening in your body.

A limited obstetrical ultrasound helps determine:

• Whether the pregnancy is located in the uterus
• Whether there is a heartbeat
• The gestational age (how far along you are)
• The viability of the pregnancy (if it appears to be progressing normally)

This information is critical, especially if you are unsure of your next steps or considering options. An ultrasound provides both medical insight and emotional clarity, helping you make informed decisions.

When Can You Get an Ultrasound?

At Amnion, we typically offer ultrasounds starting at around 7 weeks from the first day of your last period. This is when we can usually detect a heartbeat and clearly see important features on the ultrasound.

However, there are a few exceptions:

• If a patient is abortion-determined and needs immediate confirmation, we may perform the scan as early as 6 weeks.
• If a patient is unsure of their timing, we may schedule follow-up ultrasounds if the baby is too small to be seen yet.
• We also offer ultrasounds in the third trimester if a woman has had no prenatal care up to that point.

Please note: we do not offer scans for gender identification or full anatomy scans. Our ultrasounds are limited obstetrical, which means they are designed to answer specific medical questions in early pregnancy, not to replace prenatal care.

Types of Ultrasound We Use at Amnion

We use 2D ultrasound at our centers, which is the standard method for most early pregnancy imaging. In 2D ultrasounds, the image appears in black and white, showing cross-sectional views of the baby and uterus.

At Amnion, we recently upgraded our machines, which now offer incredible clarity, making it easier for both our medical staff and our clients to see the growing baby.

Depending on your stage of pregnancy and other factors, we may use one of two methods:

1. Abdominal Ultrasound

• A transducer (wand) is placed on your belly
• Non-invasive and external
• Usually used after 7 weeks
• Preferred method when a clear view is available

2. Transvaginal Ultrasound

• A thin, specially designed transducer is inserted into the vagina
• Used when more detailed or earlier imaging is needed
• Often performed when the pregnancy is less than 7 weeks
• May also be used when the abdominal scan doesn’t provide a clear image

Our team always prioritizes your comfort, privacy, and consent before proceeding with any scan.

Who Performs the Ultrasound?

All of Amnion’s ultrasounds are performed by trained and qualified medical professionals:

• Your ultrasound will be performed by a Nurse Sonographer who is either a Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner.
• Every scan is reviewed by our board-certified radiologist, who confirms findings and ensures accuracy.

Our nurses undergo specialized proficiency training in limited obstetrical ultrasound. This means you can trust the information you receive is medically sound, and that our team is qualified to explain it to you clearly and compassionately.

What Will I See on the Ultrasound?

It depends on how far along you are, but here’s a general breakdown:

• 5–6 Weeks: You may see a gestational sac and possibly a small yolk sac
• 6–7 Weeks: A tiny fetal pole and possibly a flickering heartbeat
• 7–8 Weeks: Clearer image of the baby with detectable heartbeat
• 9+ Weeks: More defined shape as baby may begin to move, and arms/legs are forming

You’ll be able to watch as the technician moves the probe, and in most cases, you’ll see the baby’s heartbeat and measurements appear on the screen in real time.

It’s often a powerful moment, especially if you’re feeling uncertain. For many women, seeing their baby helps put everything into perspective.

What’s the Difference Between a Pregnancy Test and an Ultrasound?

• A pregnancy test detects hormones in your urine (hCG levels), confirming that your body is reacting to a pregnancy.
• An ultrasound confirms the location, development, and viability of the pregnancy.

While both are important tools, only an ultrasound can confirm that the pregnancy is inside the uterus (and not ectopic) and that there’s a heartbeat.

That’s why we encourage anyone who has received a positive pregnancy test, especially if you’re unsure what to do next, to schedule a free ultrasound with us.

Why Choose Amnion for Your Free Ultrasound?

Here’s what makes your experience at Amnion different:

• We care for the whole person. You are not a number or a diagnosis.
• No insurance or payment is required. All our services are 100% free.
• Our setting is welcoming and completely confidential. Whether you’re excited or overwhelmed, we’re here for you.
• You’ll receive honest information. No pressure. No hidden agendas. Just truth, medically accurate facts, and someone to walk you through all your options.

Our goal is to give you the clarity you need in a moment that can feel overwhelming. We offer both medical care and emotional support, in a space where you are seen, heard, and supported.

What Happens After the Ultrasound?

After your scan, our team will:

• Review the results with you
• Answer any questions you have
• Offer support resources based on your situation
• Discuss next steps, whether that’s connecting you to prenatal care, helping you explore your options, or scheduling follow-up care

No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help.

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If you think you might be pregnant, or you’ve already taken a test, an ultrasound is the next best step.

Request to schedule an appointment for a FREE ultrasound or STD testing here or speak with someone directly by calling us at 610.622.9957.

All of our services are free and fully confidential.

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Amnion Pregnancy Center is a life-affirming medical center. We do not perform or refer for abortions, but we are here to provide honest information, free services, and caring, confidential support.