A standard ultrasound exam checks the fetus’s physical development, screens for major congenital anomalies, and estimates gestational age. A standard ultrasound exam also can provide information about the following:
l The fetus’s position, movement, breathing, and heart rate
l An estimate of the fetus’s size and weight
l The amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus
l The location of the placenta
l The number of fetuses
If the fetus is in a good position, it may be possible to tell the sex.
