18 Week Ultrasound

Between 18 and 20 weeks of gestation, you will undergo another ultrasound to evaluate your baby. At this time, almost all of the fetal anatomy can be visualized in detail. During that ultrasound, we will evaluate the fetal brain, facial structures, heart, spine, stomach, kidneys and bladder. We will also look at all of the fetal extremities including legs and arms. During that ultrasound, we are almost always able to determine the sex of your baby as well. At the same time, the ultrasonographer will obtain measurements of the head, abdomen and legs to assure that the size and your due date continue to coincide. However, your due date will NOT be changed at that ultrasound. Lastly, the ultrasonographer will evaluate the placenta and its location.

In some instances, we might recommend that you have a Level II ultrasound carried out at one of the perinatologist's office at Duke or UNC. These circumstances might include if you are over 35 years old, have a history of fetus with congenital abnormalities, or have had some type of abnormal screening at our office. There are other reasons why we may recommend Level II ultrasounds that go beyond those just discussed. We will generally not recommend that you have both your ultrasound here at this office and a Level II ultrasound. It will be one or the other.