Yes I am dim. BUT, How DO ultrasounds work?!

[0FrillyKnickers0]

Ok ok. Enough with the laughing.

I know it's ultrasound, but how does it mean we can see our babies move and their features?

I am due my 12 week scan on Thursday trying not to wet myself with excitement and I'd like to actually understand how it works. Any one know?

Thanks all!
(12+6)

I think its a bit like radar. The scanner sends a signal and the signal bounces off your baby. It can then build a picture based on how long it took for the signal to be returned and I guess the strength of it will give an indication of the density of what its bounced off.

Someone may well be along to correct me though.

Have fun at your scan!

Wow.

That's so cool!

it's just as picklesarnie says; just like submarines sending out signals it bounces back. the returning signals are assigned a grey scale colour which is what builds the picture up. bones are dense and absorb the sound which is why their brighter, sound bounces off fluid which makes it appear black.
however the further the sound has to travel to reach baby the further it has to travel back, and the returning signals are weaker, which is why on some larger people the image is poor compared to people with a lower body mass.

Thanks worley. Hopefully I'll get a nice clear picture!!

I think it's magic, personally. Certainly when you have your 12 week scan it is hard to believe they have not put a DVD in there of someone else's baby.

Like Etch-A-Sketch isn't it. Same thing has no idea at all thought everyone knew that.

Etch a Sketch is magnetic filings

I knew the babies were Magnetic! Clever things.. I had no idea either, i thought it was echo location, like Dolphins? .

It like a hazel twig that senses our babies' magnetic personalities, clearly!

PickleSarnie's explanation is excellent. I was convinced that my 12 week scan was archive footage and someone was going to pop out and tell me that it was all a joke and I wasn't really pregnant.

@ LCarbury.

Ha!!

Bugger. Now I'm going to think its someone else's baby :( How could you worry me like that?! Oh well...

I thought it was one of those metal things where you push your hand/face in it and it does an imprint. Push your bump in and an imprint of the baby comes out!!!

If it's any help, I was pregnant and now have a DD to show for it.