How much does a pregnancy ultrasound cost without insurance?
How much does a pregnancy ultrasound cost without insurance?
$200 – $400 average cost
Cost of prenatal ultrasound
A prenatal or pregnancy ultrasound costs $200 to $400 without insurance at an obstetrician's office as part of your prenatal health care. Costs are often higher at a private imaging center or hospital. Medical ultrasounds monitor fetal health and development. Elective keepsake ultrasounds provide souvenir images without medical review at a lower cost.
| Scan location | Average cost (without insurance) |
|---|---|
| Obstetrician's office | $200 – $400 |
| Diagnostic imaging center | $200 – $800 |
| Hospital | $400 – $1,000+ |
| Non-medical imaging center | $100 – $200 |
Pregnancy ultrasound cost by type
Most people associate ultrasounds with check-ups or medical reasons for pregnant patients. However, some clinics perform elective ultrasounds in order to create images and keepsakes for the family. Keepsake ultrasounds often cost less but are not covered by insurance.
| Feature | Medical ultrasound | Keepsake ultrasound |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $200 – $400 | $75 – $200 |
| Purpose | Diagnostic; medical | Elective for souvenir images or videos |
| Provider | Licensed professional | Often not medically trained |
| Setting | Healthcare facility | Commercial business |
| Insurance coverage | Yes, if medically necessary | No |
Medical ultrasound for pregnancy
A medical ultrasound, or sonogram, is a safe, noninvasive imaging procedure that uses sound waves to create pictures of a developing baby during pregnancy. Medical ultrasounds help monitor fetal growth, confirm due dates, check the position of the fetus, measure amniotic fluid, detect birth defects and complications, and provide critical guidance for prenatal care.
Most pregnancies involve at least one medical sonogram:
The first scan is often the dating scan, taken around 8 to 12 weeks, which confirms pregnancy and estimates gestational age.
The detailed anatomy scan is at 18 to 22 weeks to check fetal development, gender anatomy, and growth.
Doctors may recommend additional ultrasounds for monitoring high-risk pregnancies, assessing fetal well-being, or if concerns arise during a prenatal visit.
In early pregnancy, the technician may use a transvaginal ultrasound for clearer images before 10 weeks or when an abdominal scan does not provide enough detail. Some clinics or OB offices might offer a transvaginal ultrasound at a separate cost from abdominal scans.
Keepsake ultrasound
Some commercial businesses offer keepsake or elective ultrasounds for souvenir images or videos, not for health assessment or diagnosis.
Many keepsake centers feature 3D and 4D imaging that produces lifelike pictures and videos of the baby. 3D and 4D ultrasounds cost $100 to $200 for bonding and sharing but they do not include a professional medical review.
Cost factors for pregnancy ultrasound
Several factors influence pregnancy ultrasound costs:
Scan location: Costs are often lowest at an obstetrician’s office or outpatient clinic and highest at a hospital.
Type of ultrasound: A standard 2D medical ultrasound is the most common and least expensive. Specialized scans, such as detailed anatomy or fetal echocardiograms, may raise the cost.
Medical review: Medical scans performed by licensed sonographers or OB physicians include professional interpretation and physician review. Keepsake scans are not reviewed by a doctor and are less expensive.
Number of scans: The total pregnancy ultrasound cost increases if your OB orders more scans due to medical necessity, high-risk pregnancy, or patient preference.
Insurance and copays: Insured patients may have a copay or coinsurance for each medically necessary scan. Elective or keepsake scans are never covered by insurance. Without insurance, patients pay the full cost out of pocket, though some healthcare facilities offer discounts or financial assistance for self-pay patients.
Scan timing and technology: Early pregnancy scans with a transvaginal approach, or scans using advanced technology such as Doppler, may impact the cost.
Prenatal ultrasound FAQs
When do you get ultrasounds during pregnancy?
Technicians perform routine ultrasounds once in the first trimester (weeks 8 to 12) for dating and again at 18 to 22 weeks for anatomy. Additional scans are based on medical need or pregnancy complications. They may take scans before 7 weeks in suspected ectopic pregnancies and at 16 weeks for early gender reveal.
How many ultrasounds during pregnancy?
Most pregnancies include two medical ultrasounds: an early scan for dating and a later anatomy scan. High-risk pregnancies or specific concerns may require additional ultrasounds for monitoring.
How early can ectopic pregnancy be detected by ultrasound?
Ultrasounds can often detect ectopic pregnancy as early as 5 to 6 weeks after the last menstrual period. Early transvaginal ultrasound is best for this diagnosis.
How early will ultrasound detect pregnancy?
A transvaginal ultrasound can detect pregnancy as early as 4 to 5 weeks after the last menstrual period. An abdominal dating scan may also be used to detect pregnancy a bit later, closer to 6 weeks, when the gestational sac is larger and more visible.
Ultrasound cannot detect pregnancy at 1 week, as the embryo has not yet implanted and is too small to see on imaging.
How do I prepare for an ultrasound?
Preparing for a medical ultrasound is straightforward. Your doctor may ask you to drink water beforehand because it can improve image clarity in early pregnancy. Doctors recommend loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to the abdomen.
During the scan, your provider applies a gel to your skin and glides a handheld device called a transducer over the abdomen. The procedure is painless and lasts 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the pregnancy stage and scan purpose. A physician then reviews and discusses your results with you.
Questions to ask your healthcare provider
When scheduling a pregnancy ultrasound, it helps to ask questions so expectations are clear:
What type of ultrasound will you perform, and why is it necessary?
What is the estimated cost or copay for this scan?
Will I need a full bladder or any special preparation before the scan?
Who will perform and interpret my ultrasound?
When and how will I receive my results?
Are additional ultrasounds expected later in pregnancy?
Will I get picture or video keepsakes from the scan?
When can you tell the sex of the baby, and will you share it?
The content of this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or services. The information provided should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of health problems. Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional for advice about any medical concerns.