Verified By Apollo Gynecologist May 24, 2022
1401When a woman is pregnant and visits a doctor for a checkup, ultrasound examinations are very much a part of the screening. This technique is medically termed fetal ultrasound, as ultrasonic sound waves are used to get an image of the fetus growing in the mother’s womb. This image helps the doctor detect if there is anything wrong with the baby or if he/she is growing well . The sonogram of the fetus also confirms his/her age or the duration of the pregnancy, which helps the doctor assess when the baby will be born.
There is an electronic wand called a transducer, from which ultrasonic sound waves are emitted and reach the patient’s body. This transducer is slowly moved up and down the abdomen of a pregnant woman. Sound waves pass through her skin, muscles and blood to the fetus in her uterus. Then these sound waves are reflected by the baby’s body and come back to the transducer. These returned sound waves are converted by the transducer into electronic images, which can be seen on a computer screen.
The fetal ultrasound is conducted during the first trimester to confirm the pregnancy and how many fetuses are there in the mother’s womb. It also confirms the gestational period of a woman or in simpler words, for how long she has been pregnant. This test is also necessary for checking if there is any defect in the uterus or cervix of the woman that may cause a problem for the health of the fetus and the mother.
Another fetal ultrasound test is essential during the second trimester, preferably between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy. At this stage, the ultrasound can check the health condition and the growth of the baby more precisely. It can also detect if there is any inborn defect in the brain, limbs or an internal organ of the growing fetus.
The doctor may conduct an ultrasound just before the delivery, to ascertain whether the position of the baby is right for normal delivery. You may consult your healthcare provider or doctor for if you feel anything wrong during your pregnancy. In case of sudden vaginal bleeding, the doctor may recommend an ultrasound for checking the status of the pregnancy
Ultrasound technique is much safer than X-ray, as sound waves do not cause any harm to the pregnant woman or her unborn baby. The movement of the transducer over the abdomen or through the vagina can be a bit uncomfortable for some women. The transducer has a latex covering, which may cause discomfort to those suffering from latex allergy. Moreover, certain defects may not be detected through the fetal ultrasound method.
Women who need an abdominal ultrasound during their pregnancy are asked to come with with a full bladder to the ultrasound department. This helps in:
You will need to lie down on an examination table. The attending technician will apply a gel all over your abdomen for conducting a transabdominal ultrasound. Then the transducer will be moved up and down the abdominal region to get anatomical images of your baby. For a transvaginal ultrasound, the transducer is covered with a plastic sheet and water-based gel before inserting inside the vagina while you rest your feet within the stirrups beside the examination table. This gel can be wiped off the abdomen or vagina after the ultrasound is done.
Since fetal ultrasound is done with the help of advanced technology, you should get this test done at a reputed medical institute.
You need the first ultrasound between the 6th and 9th week of your pregnancy. The aim of this test is mainly to confirm your pregnancy and its location .
Unlike X-ray radiation, the sound waves for fetal ultrasound tests are absolutely harmless for your baby.
Ultrasound images can be seen and evaluated by a healthcare provider as and when they appear on the computer screen. But, the printed images and the result in written formats may be given only after some days.
You will not experience any pain.
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July 7, 2023