WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

What's Visible in a 2nd Trimester Ultrasound?

Pregnancy
Pregnancy follow-up
What's visible in a 2nd trimester ultrasound?
The second trimester of pregnancy brings with it a momentous milestone: the anatomy ultrasound, also known as the mid-pregnancy ultrasound.
This ultrasound is typically performed between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy and provides an incredible opportunity to catch a glimpse of your growing baby.
Let's explore what you can expect to see during the second trimester ultrasound and the precious moments it captures.
Baby's Growth and Development
  1. Baby's Size: During the second trimester ultrasound, you'll witness the remarkable growth of your baby. You can see how they have grown in length and weight, giving you a sense of their overall size.
  2. Organ Development: The ultrasound allows healthcare providers to examine your baby's major organs, including the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys, and digestive system. They can assess the development and functionality of these vital organs.
  3. Facial Features: As your baby's facial features continue to develop, you may catch a glimpse of their tiny nose, lips, and even see them practicing facial expressions such as yawning or sucking their thumb.
Gender Reveal
  1. Identification of Gender: If you wish to know the gender of your baby, the second trimester ultrasound offers an opportunity for a gender reveal. Your healthcare provider may be able to identify the baby's genitalia, allowing you to share the exciting news with family and friends.
  2. Gender Surprise: If you prefer to keep the gender a surprise, you can let your healthcare provider know in advance, and they will ensure that this information is not revealed during the ultrasound.
Movements and Behaviors
  1. Baby's Activity: As the ultrasound captures real-time images, you may witness your baby's movements and behaviors. It's awe-inspiring to see them wriggling, stretching, and even sucking their thumb.
  2. Heartbeat: The ultrasound enables healthcare providers to monitor your baby's heartbeat, providing reassurance of their well-being.
Bonding Opportunities and Cherished Memories
  1. Parental Bonding: The second trimester ultrasound offers an incredible opportunity for parents to bond with their baby visually. Seeing your baby's features and movements on the screen can create a deeper emotional connection with the little one growing inside you.
  2. Memorable Images and Videos: Many ultrasound centers provide the option to capture still images or videos of the ultrasound session. These precious keepsakes allow you to relive and share the joyous moments of seeing your baby with loved ones.
What You May Not See
  1. Facial Details: Keep in mind that the clarity of facial details can vary during the ultrasound. Depending on the position of your baby, their face may not always be fully visible or clear in the images.
  2. Hair or Eye Color: The ultrasound cannot reveal specific details such as your baby's hair color, eye color, or other unique physical attributes.
Find out more
The Main Milestones in the 2nd Trimester
3 min read
The Second Trimester Ultrasound Scoop
3 min read
R
Rae
5 Feb 2024

What is considered 2nd trimester ? Is it 13 or 14 weeks ? Today I’m 13 weeks exactly & I’m ready for a seafood boil 😹😹

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8 comments
Q
Queen
This app says 13 weeks
27 Mar 2024

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Latonya
2 Feb 2024

Hi everyone I had my first ultrasound appointment today and no baby visible just sac 6weeks 2 days. I can’t stop crying,but the doctor thinks I should wait a week but there should be a baby visible 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Pregnancy Pregnancy follow-up
18 comments
L
Lindsey
Is it possible they just couldn’t see it or get a good angle? It is still very early and you could be even less along than you think! Keep you chin up. Wait a couple weeks.
27 Mar 2024

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Latonya
Thank you I’m bawling 😭 I’ve had miscarriages before and something similar to my situation where the baby didn’t grow but I will keep faith and just pray 🙏🏽 it’s too early
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jennifer
1 Aug 2023

2nd ultrasound today since the nurse said I was measuring a few days behind, but today measuring right on track 178bpm I lowkey wanted to cry but my husband was like bae cry n the car. After just having a miscarriage at 5 weeks in March and make it this far is a blessing come on 2nd Trimester😩🥰🥰🥰 what do you guys think it is we’re team boy 💙

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2 comments
M
May
Girl 👧🏽
27 Mar 2024

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J
Janelle
I hope a boy for you. Keep us updated ❤️
27 Mar 2024

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J
Jeili
20 Mar 2023

Hey Moms, how soon was it before you were able to see anything on the ultrasound? I went in today and nothing was visible.

Pregnancy Pregnancy follow-up
9 comments
L
La’Kevia
About 7-9 weeks
27 Mar 2024

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D
Danielle 🦦🪷
Like nothing nothing? Cuz I’ve gone at 4 weeks and they could see the start of the sack
27 Mar 2024

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Nikki
2 Mar 2023

How often did you have sonograms/ultrasounds in the 2nd trimester ? I had my anatomy scan at 20 weeks and my doctor isn't doing an ultrasound again until I'm 28 weeks, so 2 months. Is this normal ?

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13 comments
K
Kelly
My doctor is only doing 3 total because more then that are not medically necessary however some offices do more then others. I wish mine did
27 Mar 2024

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D
Destiny
Yes that’s normal! In my first trimester I got 3 I think i got one at 6 weeks one at 8 weeks 5 days and one at 13 weeks. Then so far in my second trimester I got one at 18 weeks,and anatomy scan at 20 weeks 5 days and i won’t get another one until I’m 29 weeks I believe or 30 weeks. It’s just how it works I hate it bc why can’t I just get an ultrasound everytime 😂
27 Mar 2024

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C
Crystal
25 Oct 2022

Had my 2nd trimester ultrasound and they found EIF should I be concerned? My genetic tests came back negative for chromosome abnormalities.

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5 comments
M
Marie
This condition is considered a normal variation and generally doesn’t affect the baby's heart or its functioning. On ultrasound, there might be one or more bright spots found, usually in the ventricles, which pump blood. It is not a heart defect and for the majority of instances in which this occurs, it poses no risk to the fetus.1 While the EIF might disappear during the third trimester, many times it is still present on later ultrasounds. Found this on google
27 Mar 2024

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K
Kate
I had the same. Dr told me it’s nothing to worry about when I went for my anatomy scan.
27 Mar 2024

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M
Misty
4 Oct 2022

These preg hormones are much worse in 2nd trimester..like I'm either sad, hungry, or horny 🤣

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6 comments
J
Jessi
I know what you mean
27 Mar 2024

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M
Misty
I don't remember ever in my life wanting sex this much LOL
27 Mar 2024

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B
Blocked user
1 Oct 2022

Am I a bad mommy if I've only had 1 ultrasound at a clinic and haven't been to an ob yet due to insurance issues and I'm already almost in my 2nd trimester?

Pregnancy Pregnancy follow-up
20 comments
N
Nicole
I've only had one so far. It's normal but does your state provide medicaid?
27 Mar 2024

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D
Destiny
That’s definitely not considered a bad mother hun! There’s people that never knew they were pregnant or even go to a doctor and have some of the most healthiest births and pregnancy journeys‼️❤️so definitely don’t think you are a bad mom just because u haven’t been to an ob yet. Because tbh if I was to get pregnant down the line again I’m thinking about not going until I’m ready to deliver
27 Mar 2024

Answer

K
Kendall
29 May 2022

14 weeks 1 day today🥹 what do i have to look forward to during this 2nd trimester?💕

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3 comments
B
Blocked user
Less nauseous/ morning sickness & will see/feel baby movements 🙂 but increased appetite, need to pee like 15+ times a day, gets a little harder to sleep at night (my experience)
27 Mar 2024

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k
kaycee
thats basically everything I'm feeling and expecting.
27 Mar 2024

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S
Senya
29 May 2022

My unborn baby has never really made visible movements he’s only made a couple of visible moments in the first and second trimester I’m I believe 36 weeks and he’s still not active i can feel him moving i just can’t see🥺 I have an appointment Tuesday I’m gonna talk to my ob/gyn about it…. I just wanna know if I should be worried about it?

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1 comments
M
Miranda
Mines been the same. Most of the movement is down lower too and nobody's been able to feel him move. Mines because baby is breech.
27 Mar 2024

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