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.

Getting Your Baby to Move for the Ultrasound Exam
1. 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. Also, some practitioners state that the cold liquid as it enters your body and nears the womb is enough to wake up the baby.

2. 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.



3. 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.

4. 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. 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
1. Know that the "first trimester ultrasound" is done anywhere between 10 and 14 weeks.

2. 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 its overall growth and development.

3. Be aware that third trimester ultrasounds are rare.