What's in an ultrasound?

Before becoming pregnant, I assumed an ultrasound was the same thing as a sonogram. Little did I know that an ultrasound is actually the procedure by which a sonogram, or picture of the baby is created. However, the terms are often used interchangeably. For more information, visit: http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/ultrasound.html

Aside from hearing your baby’s heartbeat and feeling him or her kick, seeing your baby’s sweet face appear on the screen is one of the most exciting moments of a pregnancy. The number of sonograms a woman receives throughout her pregnancy varies from practitioner to practitioner. I've heard from some moms, that their doctor offered them a sonogram every week during their third trimester! 

At 8 weeks, a sonogram confirmed my pregnancy. At 13 weeks, I saw our little jumping bean during routing genetic testing. And at 19 weeks, we learned from a sonogram that we are expecting a Baby Boy! Our practitioner has also been kind enough to offer two additional ultrasounds to calm some prenatal nerves. Assuming all continues to go as expected, we will have our last ultrasound next week, at the 30-week mark. Nearly 3/4 of the way there, the homestretch is in sight!