Ultrasound During Pregnancy

Ultrasound is our window into your baby: It makes your baby visible without harming them and is our most important tool for checking whether your baby is developing well. For parents, it’s also a moving moment—the first image of their child. Here, we explain when we perform which types of ultrasounds, what they can show, and what they cannot. As with all prenatal tests, we obtain your consent for ultrasound examinations (more on this → “Prenatal Tests”).

Safe and Painless

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not X-rays. It has been routinely used during pregnancy since the 1980s, and there are no known harmful effects on the mother or child. Nevertheless, we handle it with care: We use only as much sound energy and for as long as is necessary for the specific examination. In terms of providing information and fostering an emotional bond with the unborn child, ultrasound likely represents the greatest advancement in obstetrics.

Examinations Throughout the Pregnancy

Throughout your pregnancy, we’ll check on your baby several times using ultrasound:

The early ultrasound (weeks 6 to 9) confirms whether the baby is alive and developing in the correct location within the uterus (and rules out an ectopic pregnancy), confirms the due date, and detects multiple pregnancies. In this early phase, the ultrasound is often performed transvaginally, as this provides the best view of the baby.

The first organ ultrasound with nuchal translucency (weeks 11 to 14) provides the first detailed look at the baby’s organs. During this exam, we measure the nuchal translucency, which, together with blood test results, is included in the first-trimester screening (→ “First-trimester screening”); certain severe malformations can already be detected at this stage.

The organ screening (weeks 20 to 23) is the most comprehensive examination. We take a close look at the baby’s organs—the head and brain, heart, spine, abdominal organs, and limbs—assess growth and amniotic fluid volume, and check the position of the placenta. In most cases, the baby’s sex can also be determined during this exam—we’ll be happy to tell you if you’d like to know, or keep it to ourselves if you’d prefer to be surprised.

Later in the third trimester, we monitor the baby’s growth, position, and amniotic fluid levels. We perform this examination regularly at our practice—it provides additional peace of mind, even though it isn’t part of the standard routine everywhere.

What Ultrasound Can Show—and What It Can’t

Ultrasound can detect many, but not all, abnormalities. How well something is visible depends heavily on the type of abnormality: Some changes are almost always visible, while others—such as certain heart defects—are difficult to detect even for trained eyes (ISUOG 2022). A normal ultrasound result is therefore very reassuring, but it cannot guarantee a completely healthy child. Conversely, an abnormal finding does not always mean something serious—we will then investigate it further.

3D and 4D Ultrasound

With modern technology, the baby can be visualized in three dimensions (3D) or as a moving image (4D)—impressive images that move many parents. Medically, they usually offer no additional benefit, but they can strengthen the bond with the baby. This requires that your baby is in a favorable position and that there is sufficient amniotic fluid. For a flat fee of 250 CHF for the entire pregnancy, you’ll receive all 3D images electronically on a USB drive.

Costs

Basic health insurance covers the two routine ultrasounds (weeks 11–14 and 20–23) as well as any additional examinations deemed medically necessary.