If you're an expectant mother, the word 'ultrasound scan' is something you've probably heard a lot. Maybe you're a little scared about it, or maybe you're just curious about what it's all about. So, today we're going to talk about what this ultrasound scan is, what it involves, and why it's so important for you and your baby. There's nothing to worry about, it's very normal.
Why is this ultrasound scan so important?
Simply put, an ultrasound scan is a test to check the health and development of your baby in your womb. Your obstetrician, nurse midwife, or a specially trained sonographer performs this scan.
Imagine, this is the best way to check how your little one is doing, how well he is, and how he is growing. It's like your doctor talking to him and seeing him! This can tell you how far along you are in your pregnancy, how well your baby is growing, and whether there are any problems. It uses sound waves. It doesn't emit any radiation, so it's not like an X-ray. So it won't harm your baby.
The most important thing is to only have this ultrasound scan if it is medically necessary . If you are having it just to see the baby, your insurance company may not pay for it.
What can be found on an ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan focuses on two main things:
1. Assessing the overall health, growth, and development of the fetus .
2. Identify complications and medical conditions related to pregnancy.
Most of the time, ultrasound scans give good results. Doctors can't find any problems. But sometimes, they can detect birth defects or other problems during pregnancy. If that happens, they can be treated early.
Now let's see what this scan mainly looks for:
- Make sure you are really pregnant .
- Check for ectopic pregnancy, early pregnancy complications, and miscarriage.
- Determine the baby's gestational age and due date .
- Check the baby's growth, movements, and heartbeat .
- See if there are twins or triplets .
- Check your pelvic organs, such as your uterus, ovaries, and cervix.
- Look at the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby.
- Check the position of the placenta . Sometimes the placenta can be low lying (placenta previa), which is a bit dangerous.
- Look at the baby's position in the womb.
- Check to see if there are any problems with the baby's organs, muscles, or bones .
Ultrasound is also important for screening for certain congenital conditions, such as cleft palate. Ultrasound is also used to guide the needle during special tests such as amniocentesis (examination of amniotic fluid) or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (examination of part of the placenta).
There is another test called the `Biophysical Profile - BPP`. This also combines an ultrasound and another test called the `Nonstress test` to check whether the baby is getting enough oxygen.
How many ultrasound scans are usually performed during pregnancy?
Typically, one or two ultrasound scans are performed during a healthy pregnancy. However, this number and timing may vary depending on your doctor and if you have any health conditions. If your pregnancy is high risk , or if your doctor suspects there is a problem with you or your baby, he or she may recommend more frequent scans.
When is the first ultrasound scan done?
The timing of the first scan can vary from doctor to doctor. Some doctors do an early ultrasound (first-trimester ultrasound / dating ultrasound) . This can be done as early as 7-8 weeks into the pregnancy. This first scan is usually done through the vagina (transvaginal ultrasound). This:
- Confirming pregnancy (by detecting the baby's heartbeat).
- They are checking to see if there are multiple embryos (twins).
- The size of the fetus is measured, the number of weeks, and the expected date of delivery are confirmed.
Some doctors delay the first scan until about 12 weeks.
What is the 20-week scan (Anatomy Scan)?
Another ultrasound scan is done between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is called the Anatomy scan or the 20-week scan. This is a very important scan.
This allows the doctor to:
- Find out the baby's gender (but whether it is visible or not depends on the baby's position at the time).
- Check for birth defects , such as cleft palate.
- Find out if the baby has any serious conditions in vital organs like the brain, heart, bones, and kidneys .
If your pregnancy is going well and without any complications, this 20-week scan may be your last scan . However, if any problems are found during this scan, your doctor will order another scan.
How soon can a baby be seen on ultrasound?
An embryo can be identified by ultrasound as early as 6 weeks into pregnancy. This embryo becomes a fetus at about 8 weeks.
Sometimes, if you don't know the exact date of your last menstrual period, the baby's heartbeat may be too early to detect. So don't worry, your doctor will tell you about it.
What are the main types of ultrasounds performed during pregnancy?
There are two main types of ultrasound:
1. Transvaginal ultrasound: This involves inserting a small wand-like device into the vagina. This is very useful in the early stages of pregnancy to check the baby's heartbeat and determine the gestational age. It can produce clearer images than a transabdominal scan in the early stages.
2. Abdominal ultrasound: This involves placing a device called a transducer on the surface of your abdomen. The doctor moves the device around your abdomen to take pictures of your baby. Sometimes you may need to press down a little to get good pictures. This method is usually used after 12 weeks.
Traditional ultrasound scans are most often done in ``2D''. However, scans can also be performed using new technologies such as ``3D'' or ``4D'' ultrasounds . These can show the baby's face and organs in more detail. However, not every doctor has the equipment to perform these ``3D'' or ``4D'' scans, and they require special training.
In addition to this, there are other special types of ultrasound:
- Doppler ultrasound: This looks at how blood is flowing through the baby's blood vessels. This is often done late in pregnancy.
- Fetal echocardiogram: This looks at the size, shape, function, and structure of your baby's heart. This may be done if you suspect your baby has a congenital heart condition, if a previous baby of yours had a heart condition, or if you have any other health conditions that you want to monitor specifically for your baby's heart.
Is there any special preparation before the scan?
Usually, an ultrasound scan does not require any special preparation. However, some doctors recommend that you come with a heavy urine load , which means that you should not go to the toilet before the scan. This will make it easier to see the baby clearly. You can bring someone to help you, but it is not a good idea to bring small children, because this is an important test and you need to pay attention to it.
Sometimes you will be asked to wear a hospital gown, but this is not usually required for an abdominal ultrasound. If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound in the first trimester, you will need to remove your clothing below the waist and wear a hospital gown.
What happens during the scan?
You will be made to lie down on an examination table. The scan is often done in a dimly lit room so that the sonographer can see the images clearly on the monitor.
Then, a water-soluble gel is applied to your abdomen. This gel is not harmful to your skin or clothing, but it may feel a little cold. This gel helps the sound waves penetrate your body better.
Next, a device called a ``Transducer'' is placed on the abdomen and moved back and forth. This sends sound waves into the body, hitting the baby's internal structures and bouncing them back. These waves are what appear as images on the monitor. The scanner looks at these images and takes important measurements, such as the baby's head circumference and length. You'll see them drawing lines on the monitor, and "freezing" certain areas.
This scan is not painful , but you may feel some discomfort as you hold your urine. The test usually takes about 30 minutes.
The only difference with a vaginal scan is that the device is inserted into the vagina.
What happens after the scan?
If it's a transabdominal scan, the gel will be wiped off and you may be given some images of your baby's scan to take home.
Most of the time, the sonographer who did the scan will not talk to you about the results. If your obstetrician did the scan, he or she may be able to tell you about what they see during the scan.
Usually, after the person who did the scan shows the images to the obstetrician-gynecologist, the doctor will talk to you about it at your next appointment. In many places, they will schedule an appointment to see the doctor right after the scan, so you can get the results the same day.
Are there any risks from ultrasound scans?
Studies have shown that ultrasound scans during pregnancy are very safe . They do not cause any harmful side effects for you or your baby.
Is it safe to scan every month?
Although ultrasound scans are safe for you and your baby, the world's leading medical associations recommend that you only have scans if they are medically necessary . If your scan results are normal, and your pregnancy is proceeding without complications and at low risk, there is no need for frequent scans.
How do I get the scan results?
Your ultrasound results can be normal or abnormal . A normal result means that the doctor couldn't find any problems and that the baby is growing well and normally. An abnormal result means that the doctor saw something unusual. If that's the case, he or she will do more scans or other tests to see if there really is a problem.
Sometimes, the scan may be incomplete if everything needed to be seen at that time is not visible. This can be due to the baby's position or the baby moving around. If this happens, another scan will need to be done at a later date.
Ultrasound also has limitations, so some abnormalities can only be detected after the baby is born.
Why do I sometimes have to scan more?
There are several reasons why your doctor may recommend additional scans during your pregnancy. Some examples include:
- If there is any problem with your pelvic organs, such as your ovaries, uterus, or cervix .
- If the baby seems smaller than expected or if the doctor suspects Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR).
- If there are problems with the placenta , for example, placenta previa or placental abruption.
- If you are having twins or triplets .
- If the baby is breech .
- If you have too much amniotic fluid (Polyhydramnios).
- If you have low amniotic fluid (Oligohydramnios).
- If you have a condition like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.
- If the baby is diagnosed with a congenital disorder .
Usually, good scan results mean that the baby is healthy and the doctor couldn't find any problems.
When can the baby's gender be determined through a scan?
The baby's gender becomes clear on an ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks . Don't forget to tell your doctor before the scan whether you want to know the baby's gender.
Ultrasound scans during pregnancy can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. Your doctor uses these scans to get a better idea of how your baby is growing and developing. There are different types of ultrasounds, and the timing of each can vary depending on your doctor. Most often, two scans are done, one in the first trimester and one in the second trimester. However, if a complication or medical reason requires more scans, your doctor will do so for your and your baby's safety. Talk to your doctor about the order of your scans during your pregnancy and what you can expect.
The most important things to remember from what we've talked about are:
Okay, so we've covered all of this now. I hope you now have a good understanding of the ultrasound scan. Here are some of the most important things to remember:
- An ultrasound scan is a very safe test for you and your baby .
- This can help you determine early on whether there are any problems with the baby's health, development, and pregnancy .
- Usually one or two scans are done, but more can be done as needed.
- The 20-week anatomy scan is very important , as it looks at the baby's organs in detail.
- No special preparation is required before the scan, although you may be asked to hold your urine.
- There is no pain during the scan.
- It is very important to get your scans done on time, as your doctor recommends .
So, an ultrasound scan is a very important test that will help you and your baby a lot during pregnancy. There is nothing to be afraid of . By getting this scan done on time as your doctor says, you can get a better understanding of your baby's health as well as your own health. This also helps to identify any problems early and start treatment. So accept it happily! We wish you a healthy baby!
` Pregnancy ultrasound, ultrasound scan, baby's health, obstetrics and gynecology, pregnancy care, fetal development, scan
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