Pregnancy ultrasounds are most commonly performed at your OB/GYN’s office, but they’re also available at hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, midwifery practices, and elective “keepsake” studios. Where you go depends on whether you need a medical scan or simply want to see your baby, and whether you have insurance coverage.
OB/GYN Offices and Midwifery Practices
Most pregnant people get their ultrasounds right where they receive prenatal care. OB/GYN offices frequently have ultrasound equipment on-site, which means your provider can order and perform a scan during a routine visit. Many midwifery practices offer the same convenience, though some refer out to an imaging center for more detailed scans. This is the simplest route: your provider determines when you need an ultrasound, a certified sonographer performs it, and the results go directly into your medical chart.
If you don’t yet have a prenatal care provider, scheduling your first appointment is the fastest way to get an ultrasound. Most practices recommend coming in as soon as you think you’re pregnant, typically between 8 and 13 weeks. That first visit often includes an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy, estimate how far along you are, check the heartbeat, and rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
Hospitals and Outpatient Imaging Centers
Hospitals with obstetrics departments have dedicated ultrasound units staffed by certified sonographers. If your provider’s office doesn’t have its own equipment, or if you need a more specialized scan, you’ll likely be referred to a hospital outpatient clinic or a standalone diagnostic imaging center. Large academic medical systems often run multiple outpatient locations across a region, so you may have a choice of sites.
These facilities use the same diagnostic-grade equipment and employ sonographers with specialized training. The key advantage is that a radiologist or maternal-fetal medicine specialist typically reviews the images, which matters most for the detailed anatomy scan done between 18 and 22 weeks. You’ll generally need a referral or order from your prenatal provider to book at these locations, especially if you want insurance to cover the visit.
What Happens at Each Scan
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends at least one standard ultrasound during pregnancy, usually the anatomy scan at 18 to 22 weeks. Many providers also order a first-trimester scan between 11 and 13 weeks to estimate gestational age and screen for certain genetic conditions. Additional scans may happen in the third trimester to check growth, amniotic fluid levels, or the baby’s position.
The mid-pregnancy anatomy scan is the most thorough. The sonographer measures the baby’s head, abdomen, and thigh bone to assess growth. They examine the brain, spine, heart chambers and vessels, kidneys, bladder, and all twelve long bones. They check the face for proper eye spacing and lip formation, confirm the umbilical cord insertion looks normal, and verify the heart and stomach are on the correct side. This is also when many parents learn the baby’s sex. The scan typically takes 20 to 45 minutes, and if the baby isn’t in a cooperative position, you may be asked to walk around and come back.
Elective and Keepsake Ultrasound Studios
Boutique ultrasound studios offer 3D and 4D images or video of your baby, primarily as a bonding experience rather than a medical exam. These are available without a referral, and you can typically book online and walk in. Packages often include printed photos, digital images, and sometimes a short video clip.
There are real differences between these studios and medical facilities. Elective ultrasound technicians may not have the same level of training as certified sonographers performing diagnostic scans. They are not evaluating your baby’s anatomy for abnormalities, and their findings don’t replace your medical ultrasounds. Insurance does not cover keepsake sessions. The FDA has specifically discouraged ultrasound use solely for non-medical purposes like keepsake videos, noting that while ultrasound is generally safe, the risks increase with unnecessary prolonged exposure. If you want keepsake photos, the better option is to ask for printouts during your medically scheduled scan, which adds no extra exposure.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers: What to Know
Some crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) advertise free ultrasounds, which can be appealing if cost is a concern. However, the California Department of Justice and other state agencies have issued warnings that some CPCs are not licensed medical clinics. They may offer ultrasounds without a healthcare professional on staff. Unlicensed centers staffed by non-medical personnel are not required to keep your medical records private, and only a licensed healthcare professional can accurately determine how far along you are. A free ultrasound at an unlicensed facility does not substitute for prenatal care, and the results may not be reliable enough to guide medical decisions.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Insurance typically covers at least one ultrasound per pregnancy when it’s ordered by your provider for a medical reason. Covered reasons include the routine anatomy scan, estimating gestational age when dates are uncertain, evaluating vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, checking for suspected growth problems, and monitoring high-risk conditions like preeclampsia. If your provider orders it, you’ll usually owe only your standard copay or coinsurance.
Without insurance, the cost varies widely. New Hampshire’s statewide health cost database puts the average outpatient pregnancy ultrasound at $415, with prices ranging from $131 to over $1,800. The exact price depends on the facility type, your geographic area, and whether you’re getting a basic or detailed scan. Many imaging centers and hospitals offer cash-pay rates that are significantly lower than their billed charges, so it’s worth calling ahead and asking for the self-pay price.
Options if You’re Uninsured or Low-Income
If you don’t have insurance, several paths can help you access prenatal ultrasounds at low or no cost. Medicaid covers prenatal care, including ultrasounds, in every state. Eligibility thresholds for pregnant people are higher than for other adults, so you may qualify even if you haven’t qualified for Medicaid before. Applying early means your ultrasounds and all other prenatal visits are covered from the start.
Community health centers funded by the federal government offer prenatal care on a sliding fee scale based on income, and many have ultrasound equipment on-site. You can find your nearest one through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s online locator. Teaching hospitals and university-affiliated clinics sometimes run free or reduced-cost clinics as well. Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a local helpline that can identify free clinics, prenatal programs, and Medicaid enrollment assistance in your area.
How to Get Started
If you already have a prenatal care provider, they will schedule your ultrasounds as part of your routine care. You don’t need to find a separate facility unless they refer you to one. If you’re newly pregnant and haven’t established care yet, call an OB/GYN office, midwifery practice, or community health center to set up your first prenatal visit. Most will perform or schedule an ultrasound at that appointment. For the most accurate results and proper medical follow-up, having your ultrasound done through your prenatal care provider or a facility they refer you to is the most reliable approach.