The Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) states that almost 4 million women in America give birth every year. And out of them 1/3rd suffer from pregnancy-related complications. Many pregnancy-related complications can be treated effectively if they are diagnosed at an early stage. But unfortunately due to lack of prenatal care such complications go undetected, and finally result in risk for both mother and the fetus. These information are not an alarm but are provided to convey the importance of prenatal care as early as possible. It is said that prenatal care should start even before a woman is pregnant. If planning for pregnancy, a routine health check up should be done to make sure that she is perfectly all right for going through the phases of pregnancy. Many prenatal scanning that expecting parents prefer are amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), and ultrasound. This article focuses on the importance of ultrasound during pregnancy.
About ultrasound in pregnancy
Ultrasound is a very common procedure done during pregnancy. Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that uses high frequency sound waves that are passed through the uterus, the sound wave hit the fetus inside and are reflected back producing moving pictures (sonograms) that can be seen on a TV monitor. It is very important that the bladder of the patient is full during the procedure for clear picture, as sound waves travel better through a liquid medium. During the procedure, ultrasound gel is applied over the abdomen and a scanner is moved over the uterus until a clear picture of the fetus and the placenta is seen. Ultrasound is different from X-ray as it does not use radiations that are harmful for the mother and the fetus. During the initial weeks of pregnancy, ultrasound is done by inserting a small probe into the vagina, and in the later stage it is performed via the surface of the abdomen. Ultrasound is usually performed by a well trained medical professional or a nurse, normally a medical professional holding a diploma or master’s degree in ultrasound are preferred.
The result of an ultrasound is viewed immediately on the TV monitor during the procedure itself. Selected images will be saved on a paper, film, videotape, or in the computer for patients and physicians reference. If any abnormality is suspected then further tests may be recommended.
Ultrasound can be performed at any time during pregnancy. Ultrasound is a routine procedure that is performed when a woman first visits an antenatal clinic; it is usually performed during the 18th or 22nd week of pregnancy, but it can be done sooner or later and more than once during pregnancy.
Types of ultrasounds
There are various types of ultrasound but every type works on the same principle.
- Standard ultrasound is the one that is normally used where a transducer is moved over the abdomen to generate 2-D image of the fetus
- Transvaginal ultrasound is done during the early weeks of pregnancy by inserting a probe into the vagina to produce images
- Advanced ultrasound is same as standard ultrasound but uses more advanced equipments as it is directed in examining a specific suspected condition
- 3-D ultrasound generates 3-D image of the fetus by using a special probe and software
- 4-D or dynamic 3-D ultrasound is used to look at the face and the movement of the baby before delivery
- Fetal echocardiography uses sound waves to detect fetal heartbeat, heart anatomy, and function of heart, if congenital (from birth) heart disease is suspected
- Doppler ultrasound measure even the slightest change in the frequency of the sound waves that are bouncing back from a moving object, example blood cells
Purpose of ultrasound
Ultrasound scanning is done at various stages of pregnancy and for various purposes. It is a diagnostic procedure that helps in detecting abnormalities during pregnancy and its related complications. Ultrasound is done for the following purposes
During the first trimester
- To check whether the fetus is active
- To look for single, twins or triplets
- To confirm heartbeat
- To measure the gestational age
- To rule out ectopic pregnancy
- Look for any abnormality
- Too determine due date
During second trimester
- Fetal malformation, during 13-14 weeks looking for characteristics of Down syndrome and during 18-20th week for any congenital malformation
- Look for any structural abnormalities
- Check the growth of fetus
- To check for polyhydraminos (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydraminos (reduced level of amniotic fluid)
- To rule out intrauterine death
- To check whether the baby is in right size for his/her age
- To check the growth of internal organs
- Over all fetal well-being
During third trimester
- Confirm the position of placenta
- To check the position of baby
- Observe fetal movements
- Any intrauterine death
- Any uterine or pelvic abnormality in mother
Other reasons
- Any abnormal internal bleeding during pregnancy
- In case of any abnormal blood screening test
Will it hurt during the procedure?
Ultrasound is a non-invasive technique so it will not hurt but the patient may feel slight discomfort as pressure is applied over a full bladder. The gel applied may feel wet and cold but no other discomfort of pain will be felt.
Accuracy of ultrasound
An ultrasound scanning is a very good technique to have an overall impression about the fetus. But as every technique has got its own limitations, same with ultrasound, every possible problem cannot be detected. The effectiveness of ultrasound is detected by many factors like age of the fetus, position of the fetus, size of the fetus, and the type of abnormality. Ultrasound can give a clarity image only if the mother’s abdomen is not too thick and scarred.
Safety of ultrasound
As with any medical test the benefits should always out-stand the risks, ultrasound has been used on pregnant women for the past 30 years and till now there has been no reason to point that it is unsafe for the mother or to the fetus. The effect of long-term repeated exposure of ultrasound is yet to be fully known. As ultrasound does not use X-rays or any other radiations therefore it is perfectly safe to be used on pregnant women but it is recommended only if medically indicated.
Conclusion
Ultrasound is not a mandatory or necessary part of pregnancy. It is needed only when there is a medical concern. As said above ultrasound helps the healthcare to evaluate the well-being of the fetus and to detect any potential abnormalities. For women with no complications ultrasound scanning is not necessary.
