Pregnancy Ultrasound - The First Look At Baby
December 1, 2008 nnyq.com editUltrasounds are used for a variety of testing but are most well known for being used during pregnancy. It uses sound wave to show a picture of the baby. The 2D technology is most common but 4D technology is also available which shows real time movement of the baby.
If your doctor orders an ultrasound you will need to report to a facility that has the equipment. The technician will then rub your belly with a special gel and then a transducer will be rubs across the belly.
The gel helps transmit sound waves and the transducer records the echoes, while the computer translates the echoes into images which are recorded. You will feel slight pressure but it won't hurt. The entire procedure takes about 20 minutes.
Wear loose fitting clothes and if you make sure your shirt provides easy access you won't have to change into a gown. You will also be asked to have a full bladder which helps get a clearer picture. The full bladder isn't needed in later stages of pregnancy.
This procedure is considered safe for both mom and baby when done by a trained professional using certified equipment. You should never just have casual images taken because as with anything overexposure may be dangerous.
An ultrasound can be used to:1. Confirm the baby's birth date and date of conception2. Look for problems with the placenta location and size3. Look for the cause of vaginal bleeding4. Check for ectopic pregnancy - this is a condition where a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus and can be potentially life threatening5. Check for intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus a condition where baby is growing too slow6. Check the volume of amniotic fluid7. Check for enlarged ovaries.8. Check for twins, triplets - multiple pregnancies9. Check for a molar pregnancy - this is a situation in which the fetus actually becomes a tumor.10. Check for spina bifida a condition where the spine does not close during the development.11. Check for cleft palate a condition where the roof of the mouth and the lip form abnormally.12. Check that the baby has good heart function13. Check that the baby has good placement in the uterus14. Check the neural tube - a brain and spinal defect15. Check that the baby is alive16. Check that the baby appears overall healthy
An ultrasound can be done as early as 8 weeks and in fact it is common for an ultrasound to be done between 8 and 12 weeks to confirm the number of weeks you are pregnant. Between 10 and 13 weeks your Doctor will probably order a scan to check for a neural tube defect a birth defect that affects the brain and spinal cord.
By the second trimester it can be used to check for major birth defects, proper growth and to aid if amniocentesis is performed. And during the last trimester it is used to ensure the correct amount of amniotic fluid is present and that baby is growing correctly and moving properly within the womb.
Any time complications arise such as bleeding an ultrasound will be ordered. This tool is very valuable in detecting many conditions and providing information so that the proper treatment can be initiated to improve the chances of a healthy baby.
Some Doctors will order an ultrasound at regular intervals to check fetal growth and that baby appears healthy. There is really no proof that this is beneficial nor are there any stats that would indicate it's harmful. It's really a preference between doctor and mom.
It can make mom feel better and more confident knowing or rather seeing that things are progressing normally. Occasionally though false results are given showing there is a problem with baby only to find out later that the baby is healthy. This can be very scary for you.
The newest equipment offers 3D technology which provides a much more detailed scan than 2D technology. It's like looking at a photograph. There's that much detail. If birth defects are at all suspected 3D scans are asked for because of the additional detail. And now there are 4D scans which are an actually moving picture of the baby.
During amniocentesis an ultrasound will be used to help determine the position of the fetus so that the needle can be safely entered into the room to safely draw off fluid.
You will likely have at least a couple of ultrasounds during your pregnancy and perhaps even more. It's a great feeling to see your healthy baby and it relieves some of the stress associated with pregnancy. Pregnancy ultrasound is a safe and effective tool.
