Many pregnant women have an ultrasound when they are 16 to 20 weeks pregnant. An ultrasound uses sound waves that bounce off of your baby, and makes a picture based on those waves. This test is safe for both you and the baby, and it helps your provider to check the health and development of your baby.

It's also your first chance to "see" your baby. Although the picture is not clear like a photograph, you can usually see your baby's head, body, arms and legs, and her beating heart! Sometimes you can even see things like little hands, feet and eyes. Of course, your provider will probably have to point these out to you, since they're usually pretty blurred.