An ultrasound exam is a great way to learn a lot of information about your pregnancy. Early on in your pregnancy, ultrasound can see into the uterus to give you information like how far along you are, how many babies are in there and where your pregnancy is located. This is an absolute sign of pregnancy.

Ultrasound can be used beginning around five to six weeks of gestation. The earlier it is used, the less you will see. At this point in your pregnancy, doctors will be looking for a gestational sac, where your baby will grow. As the weeks progress, you will eventually be able to see your baby, and later hear the heart beat.

Ultrasound can be done abdominally. A wandlike transducer is coated in a special gel that helps transmit sound waves, and it is run over your abdomen. For ultrasounds done very early in pregnancy, particularly weeks five through eight, an intravaginal probe is usually used because it allows the doctor to see in greater detail. This probe is covered in a plastic sheath, much like a condom, and placed inside the vagina right next to the cervix. This provides the best view of the contents of your uterus.