Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Carrie Noriega, MD. Dr. Noriega is a Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist and medical writer in Colorado. She specializes in women’s health, rheumatology, pulmonology, infectious disease, and gastroenterology. She received her MD from the Creighton School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska and completed her residency at the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2005.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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If you're pregnant and are interested in finding out your baby's sex, you may want to know how to get a baby to move for an ultrasound. An ultrasound, which is also called a sonogram, is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to create images of your baby, uterus and placenta. The ultrasound isn't only used to determine gender; the ultrasound technician will be looking for physical abnormalities on the baby, checking the location of the placenta, and measuring your baby's growth. In order to maximize the chance of determining your baby's sex, you may want to follow some tips on getting your baby to move around in utero, as movement enhances the chance that the ultrasound technician will be able to see your baby's genitals.
Steps
Drink apple or orange juice about 30 minutes before your appointment. The juices typically don't take too long to absorb into your bloodstream. The sugar in the juices tends to wake up your baby while in utero.[1]- Also, if you didn't give up caffeine after finding out you're pregnant, you can opt for a cup of coffee or can of soda. The caffeine enters your bloodstream and might stimulate your baby to move around.
Walk around before your ultrasound appointment. This could help if you feel as though your baby isn't moving and may be asleep. While walking can usually soothe and rock a baby to sleep from an awake state, it might also be able to wake up your baby from its in utero nap.Advertisement
Cough or laugh during your ultrasound appointment. Coughing and laughing can jostle your baby awake, which can increase your odds of the baby changing positions.- It can also help to engage in conversation with the ultrasound technician; however, you don't want to distract them as they are in the midst of important aspects of the ultrasound examination, so ask for permission prior to engaging them in conversation.
Poke the baby gently. The ultrasound tech can use the probe to gently shake your baby and try to get the baby to move to a better position.[2] You can also try using your own hands to jiggle or poke at your baby gently.
Understanding the Purpose and Timing of Different Ultrasounds in Pregnancy
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Know that the "first trimester ultrasound" is done anywhere between 10 and 14 weeks. It is used as a method to confirm a pregnancy, or it is also used as a "dating ultrasound" for those women who cannot remember when their last menstrual period was and are unsure of how far along their pregnancy is. [3]- What your doctor will look for during this first-trimester ultrasound is a heartbeat, as well as the presence of your baby inside the uterus (checking to make sure there are no pregnancy abnormalities. Your doctor can also use measuring tools on their computer (where the ultrasound is being recorded) to assess what is called the "crown-to-rump length" which is used to date the pregnancy.
- Not everyone receives a first-trimester ultrasound; rather, it is reserved for those patients whose doctors have early concerns about the pregnancy's success or uncertainty around dates. In general, everyone receives the second-trimester ultrasound which is a much more detailed assessment of their baby and occurs done between 18 and 20 weeks.
- External sex organs have not developed at this point so the doctor won't be able to determine sex during this ultrasound.
Understand that the "second trimester ultrasound" is more detailed. It is usually done between 18 and 20 weeks, and is able to assess for a variety of things including the baby's sex (in most cases), as well as overall growth and development. [4]- It is this second-trimester ultrasound where you will be interested in strategies in getting your baby to move. One particular reason couples are interested in this is that with more movement there is a greater chance the ultrasound technician can determine the sex of the baby (which is of interest to many people).
- The baby's sex (male or female) can be determined on second-trimester ultrasound by the presence or absence of a penis, which is usually observable with sufficient fetal movement (or if the baby happens to be in a position where this can be seen from the outset).
Be aware that third trimester ultrasounds are rare. They are only done in more complicated cases where your doctor wants to check on the baby (for instance checking fluid levels, getting measurements, or monitoring in special cases such as with gestational diabetes).[5]
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Most doctors offices will not say for certain if you're having a boy or having a girl. They can give you a percentage, for instance, by stating that there's an 80 percent chance you're having a boy.Thanks
- Depending on how far along in the pregnancy you may be, some doctors will ask that you drink a specific amount of water before your appointment and refrain from using the bathroom. The amount of water can range from 8 to 32 oz. Your full bladder will push the uterus forward and provide a better shot of the baby, which can help the ultrasound technician taking measurements.Thanks
- Despite taking all these steps, your baby still might not cooperate. Your baby might not want to move, or might have their legs crossed, or may just not be in an optimal position or location. As long as the technician can obtain the baby's measurements and overall health assessment, your appointment is considered successful. Most offices will not reschedule your appointment because the baby's gender could not be determined.Thanks
Warnings
- Be sure to inform the technician if you have not had a chance to talk to your doctor and have had any new problems, such as spotting or cramping. If for some reason the technician finds something concerning during the ultrasound, they cannot discuss the findings with you. Most often, you have to wait and talk about the ultrasound with your doctor.Thanks
References
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Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
If you’re pregnant and interested in knowing the sex of the baby, you’ll want it to move around a bit during your ultrasound. In order to get your baby to move during this test, drink apple or orange juice 30 minutes prior to your appointment since the sugar in the juice tends to wake up your baby. You can also try coughing or laughing during the exam to jostle the baby awake, which will increase your chances of it changing position. Another way to wake the baby is to use your hands to gently jostle your stomach. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including learning about the timing of different ultrasounds during pregnancy, keep reading!
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