17 Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound – What to Expect

Key Takeaways

• A 17-week ultrasound helps assess your baby’s growth, heartbeat, movements, and development.
• An abdominal scan is usually performed using ultrasound gel and a handheld transducer.
• The scan may take 40–60 minutes, depending on the examination and your baby’s position.
• A 3D or 4D ultrasound may show your baby’s features and movements, but image clarity varies.

A 17 weeks ultrasound helps your doctor check your baby’s growth, heartbeat, and development while giving you a closer look at your little one. At this stage, you may see tiny movements, developing limbs, and other visible features. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least one ultrasound before 24 weeks of pregnancy to assess gestational age and help detect certain fetal abnormalities and multiple pregnancies (1).

Wondering how the scan works, what you can see, or whether you can learn your baby’s sex? Here’s what to expect, how to prepare, and which findings your doctor may discuss.

Why Do You Need an Ultrasound Scan at 17 Weeks?

Following are the reasons for performing an ultrasound scan at 17 weeks of pregnancy.

• To hear the baby’s heartbeat: The 17 week sonogram may be done to monitor the heart rate of the baby, which is between 140 to 150 beats per minute, twice that of an adult.
• To check for growth restrictions in twins: In case of twins or multiples, an ultrasound may be done to make sure that the space in the uterus is sufficient for both babies and that the babies are not lagging in growth and development due to lack of space.
• To check the umbilical cord and the quantity of amniotic fluid: The doctor will check the umbilical cord to ensure that it has 2 arteries and 1 vein. The doctor also needs to ensure that the level of amniotic fluid is adequate. Low levels of amniotic fluid can have serious consequences like miscarriage, birth defects, preterm birth, stillbirth, squeezing of the umbilical cord or slow growth of the baby (2).
• To measure the size of the uterus: The technician will measure the size of your uterus to make sure the pregnancy is healthy, and the baby has ample space to grow. This measurement also corresponds to the number of weeks of your pregnancy and signals that the pregnancy is progressing normally.
• To check foetal anatomy: The 17-week foetal ultrasound is done to check the foetal anatomy and to make sure all the body parts and internal organs like the heart, brain, stomach, spine, kidneys, bladder, and reproductive organs are developing normally.
• To determine the due date and gestational age: The 17-week ultrasound scan also helps a doctor determine when the baby will be born.
• To check the placental position: The technician will check the position of the placenta to make sure it does not cover the opening of the cervix.

Is 17 Week Ultrasound Scan Common in Pregnancy?

Yes, having an ultrasound at 17 weeks of pregnancy is normal, although the exact timing depends on your prenatal care schedule and your doctor’s recommendations. An ultrasound during this stage can help check your baby’s heartbeat, growth, movements, and overall development.

How to Prepare for Your 17th Week Pregnancy Scan?

The 17th-week scan requires no special preparations but you need to have a full bladder at the time of the scan as it will help capture good images of your baby. That said, don’t drink too much water or you might feel uncomfortable. You can have 3 glasses of water 30 minutes before your scan. Wear comfortable clothes so that the sonographer has easy access to your abdomen.

How Long Does a 17-Week Ultrasound Scan Take to Complete?

This scan could take between 40 minutes to an hour as there are several measurements that the technician needs to make. The 17-week ultrasound for twins will take much longer. If the unborn baby at the 17 weeks ultrasound is in a position where the internal organs are not clearly visible, the scan can last a little longer.

How Is an Ultrasound Scan Performed at 17th Week?

A 17-week ultrasound is usually performed as an abdominal scan, which allows the sonographer to view your baby through your belly. Here’s what you can expect during the scan:

• You will be asked to lie on an examination table and expose your abdomen so the sonographer can access your belly.
• The sonographer will spread a small amount of water-based gel over your abdomen. This helps the ultrasound probe make good contact with your skin and produce clear images.
• The sonographer will gently move a handheld device called a transducer across your abdomen. It sends sound waves into your body, which create images of your baby on a monitor.
• The sonographer will examine the visible parts of your baby to assess development and may check the heartbeat, movements, and other features, depending on the purpose of the scan.
• Once the examination is complete, you can wipe away the gel with a tissue or towel. Since the gel is water-based, it is easy to remove.

A transvaginal scan may occasionally be needed: If the sonographer cannot obtain clear images through your abdomen, a transvaginal ultrasound may be recommended. During this procedure, a specially designed probe is gently inserted into the vagina to obtain closer images. It is generally well tolerated, although you may experience some discomfort (3).

What Will You See on the Scan at the Seventeenth Week of Your Pregnancy?

Here is what you can see in the 17 week fetus ultrasound:

• The baby’s facial features and expressions may be visible on the 17 weeks 3D ultrasound.
• You may see your baby’s heart and other body parts and organs like kidneys and stomach. The technician may point them out to you.
• The technician will be able to see the genitalia of the baby, but won’t disclose the gender, as sex determination is banned in India (4).
• You can see the baby’s hands and feet. You can also see all the movements that the baby makes during the scan.
• The baby’s head is now proportionate to the body, and this can be clearly seen on the scan.
• By 17th week, fat accumulates beneath the baby’s skin. The foetus may look rounder on the scan.
• You may see the baby’s spinal column and the bones of arms, legs, hands, and feet.

What If Any Abnormalities Are Seen in the Ultrasound?

If any abnormalities are detected during the 17 week anatomy scan, the radiologist will speak to your doctor and let her know the nature of the problem. The doctor will then guide you on the next steps to be taken. Tests like blood tests, level 2 ultrasounds, CVS, and amniocentesis may help in confirming the exact nature of the anomaly (5). The doctor will then discuss treatments and other options with you.

FAQs

1. Can the gender of the baby be determined at 17 weeks?

While it is often possible to determine the baby’s gender at 17 weeks, the accuracy of this depends on the baby’s position and the clarity of the ultrasound image. Sometimes, the baby might be in a position that makes it difficult to see the genital area clearly. If the ultrasound technician cannot get a good view, you might be asked to come back for another scan at a later date (4).

2. What kind of ultrasound is used at 17 weeks – abdominal or transvaginal?

At 17 weeks, an abdominal ultrasound is typically used. This involves applying gel to your abdomen and moving a transducer over the skin to capture images of the baby. Transvaginal ultrasounds are more common in early pregnancy when the baby is very small, or if there are specific concerns that require closer examination of the cervix or placenta.

3. What should I do if my ultrasound shows a possible problem?

If your 17 weeks ultrasound indicates a possible problem, your healthcare provider will discuss the findings with you in detail. Depending on the nature of the issue, additional tests or ultrasounds may be recommended. This can include more detailed scans, genetic testing, or consultations with a specialist. It’s important to ask questions and understand all available options to make informed decisions about your care and your baby’s health.

4. Is it normal to not feel baby movements yet at 17 weeks?

Yes, it is normal to not feel baby movements yet at 17 weeks, especially for first-time mothers. While some women may start to feel flutters or “quickening” around this time, many do not feel significant movement until around 20 weeks or later. Factors such as the position of the placenta (anterior placenta can cushion movements) and individual differences in sensitivity can affect when you start to feel your baby move. Your ultrasound can provide reassurance by showing your baby’s movements even if you can’t feel them yet (6).

5. What can you expect from a 17-week 3D or 4D ultrasound?

A 17 week 3d ultrasound or 17 week 4d ultrasound can provide a closer look at your baby. A 3D scan creates three-dimensional images of your baby’s features, while a 4D scan shows these images in real time, allowing you to observe movements such as stretching or turning. However, image clarity depends on your baby’s position, size, and other factors, so detailed facial images may not always be possible at this stage.

Hearing the unborn baby’s heartbeat and seeing the baby’s movements and facial expressions on the 17 week 4D ultrasound scan is a very positive and exhilarating experience for the parents-to-be, especially if this is their first pregnancy. So don’t skip this ultrasound scan or the others. Have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

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Sources References

1. World Health Organization – Imaging ultrasound before 24 weeks of pregnancy: 2022 update to the WHO antenatal care recommendations for a positive pregnancy experience

2. Cleveland Clinic – Oligohydramnios

3. Cleveland Clinic – Transvaginal Ultrasound

4. Tommy’s – 17 weeks pregnant: baby’s development, your baby bump and vitamin D

5. Mayo Clinic – Amniocentesis

6. Cleveland Clinic – Quickening in Pregnancy