The First Ultrasound Scan – An Expecting Dad’s window to reality

1

2
Your partner has shared the news with you and Oh
My God both of you are feeling at the top of the
world. Most importantly, till the time she hits
the 12th week of her pregnancy, when she will
actually undergo her first ultrasound scan during
pregnancy, you know that the pregnancy is
confirmed and that shes complaining about
feeling nauseous in the mornings and feeling of
tiredness in her. But what about the baby?
Well! For that, you are still in a daze as before
the first ultrasound the baby is a completely
abstract concept for you. However, with the
12th week dating-scan, everything slowly becomes
clear to you. 
12th week Dating scan? Whats that? It is likely
that you will have a dating ultrasound around
10-13 weeks, if you didnt get one around 6-8
weeks. This basically is a transabdominal
ultrasound scan and, as an expecting dad when you
attend the first pre-natal visit with your
partner, seeing a black-and-white and
alien-looking creature in a black cavern is like
a magical moment.   But is this magic the only
reason for being with your partner in her first
ultrasound scan? 
3
Why is it important for you to be present in the
ultrasound scan during early pregnancy? 
As an expecting father, through these scans, you
will be able to get a clear idea about the due
date of your baby.  And we know how eagerly
youre waiting for that day to come.
The OB-GYN will check the basic anatomy of the
foetus. That is by the 12th week, you will be
able to see if your baby is developing properly
like the bones (skeleton and skull), whether the
babys fingernails have formed, the babys liver
is producing red blood cells, etc.
By this time, you will understand that the
umbilical cord will start forming. By this time,
the placenta is also expected to function
properly and produce hormones to cover the rest
of the pregnancy journey.
4
This test will help you and your partner,
understand the foetal size. A smaller length
would indicate a chromosomal problem is the baby.
Well! It would also mean that there are chances
of a miscarriage. This test will help you and
your partner, understand the foetal size. A
smaller length would indicate a chromosomal
problem is the baby. Well! It would also mean
that there are chances of a miscarriage. Since,
through this test, youre getting the whole
picture of your baby, cuddled inside in your
partners womb, it will also help you to
determine whether the back of your baby is thick
to make him or her suffer from birth defects
after-birth. Youll also get a glimpse of the
foetal heartbeat.

• So, now whats role as Partner and dad-to-be?
• Take Care of the mom Ask her if she needs help,
  whether it is the daily household chores or
  arrange pregnancy romantic date night or doing
  some baby-proofing stuff around the house. If you
  have another kid in the household, offer to take
  up the parenting duty for the child. Even deal
  with her pregnancy depression. This will help in
  cementing the bond you and partner.

5

• Gently massage your partners belly She will get
  some relief from some of the pregnancy
  challenges. Who knows, your baby might also start
  smiling from the inside, as he or she can feel
  the daddys touch and can hear your voice? In
  fact, by the 24th week of pregnancy, your baby
  will respond back to you with small kicks, at
  your touch.
• Start learning about pregnancy As the ultrasound
  is not just about the early stages of the
  pregnancy. Ultrasounds are common throughout
  pregnancy. And there is no limits as to how many
  ultrasound scans during pregnancy can be done.
  The more the scans are, the better will you be
  able to determine the health to-be-mom and the
  baby.
• Talk to your baby and starting bonding Tell him
  or her, youre helping the mother in preparing
  the nursery and that youve also chosen the names
  (boy or girl). 

To conclude So, all the first-time dads on the
block, when is you pregnant partners first scan?
6
Source https//www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/the-fir
st-ultrasound-scan-an-expecting-dads-window-to-rea
lity/