Ultrasound examination of pregnant women: why, at what time and for what?

Ultrasound for the future mother is not only an opportunity to “get acquainted” with your baby before his birth and to know the sex of the child. Ultrasound examination is prescribed to pregnant women at different times in order to diagnose the health of the baby and mother, so it is important to undergo an ultrasound scan on time, with a qualified specialist and with modern medical equipment.
Ultrasound examination of pregnant women: why does a woman need such a diagnosis?
Ultrasound for the future mother is a safe, modern and convenient technology for examining the fetus and uterus, using the reflection of ultrasound waves from organs and tissues, the doctor receives information about the anatomy of the future baby, the state of the placenta, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, uterus and its appendages. Also, with the help of ultrasound diagnostics, it is possible to identify or disprove congenital abnormalities of the fetus: this fact is especially important if a woman has a genetic predisposition to the development of fetal abnormalities or syndromes that are incompatible with life. Some women often comment, they say, how did our mothers and grandmothers give birth, when there was no ultrasound, and nothing?
But before that, there were no many things, without which we no longer think of our life: the same pads and other hygiene products, diapers, etc., which make life much easier for us. And when it comes to the health of the mother and the more so of the unborn child, information about the status and size of the fetus, the amount of amniotic fluid, the integrity of the placenta, etc. helps doctors to see the situation with possible complications in the process of pregnancy and childbirth, to determine compliance with the passage of the future baby through the female birth canal, the position of the fetus, etc. With such information, a woman and specialists know in advance about all the nuances and will be able to take maximum care of the health of the future mother and baby.
At what time pregnant do ultrasound?
Three ultrasounds are prescribed to a pregnant woman: the first examination is usually scheduled for 10-14 weeks (but may be earlier or later, depending on when the woman became registered); the second – from the 20th to the 24th week and the third ultrasound scan – at the 32-34th week. The leading pregnancy specialist may prescribe an additional ultrasound scan: no need to be afraid, the doctor may prescribe an additional examination to clarify the state of health of the woman or the fetus to give appropriate recommendations.
The first ultrasound will show the duration of pregnancy, the position of the fetus in the uterus, the condition of the uterus. The second study will help to know the size of the fetus, the amount of amniotic fluid, the absence of chromosomal diseases, the sex of the unborn child (if the location of the fetus allows). All these data are important for the doctor: he compares them with the results of the first ultrasound, makes conclusions about the development of the baby, during pregnancy, predicts future birth.
On the third ultrasound, the doctor assesses the position of the baby before childbirth: whether there is an entanglement with the umbilical cord, head or pelvic presentation of the fetus (during a pelvic or transverse cesarean section can be shown to avoid birth injuries). Often the third study is carried out with the use of Doppler: this type of ultrasound allows to evaluate the blood flow in the vessels of the future baby, uterus and umbilical cord of a woman.
Unscheduled ultrasound and the importance of modern examination
Complaints of the future mother on lower abdominal pain, spotting, as well as discrepancies in the size of the uterus during pregnancy, etc., observed during the first examination. may be the reason for the appointment of an unscheduled ultrasound. In order not to harm yourself and your unborn child, do not refuse an unscheduled examination: it is important for your doctor to have a complete picture of all aspects of pregnancy. Thanks to modern technology, you can get a very high quality image and see all the nuances.
State women’s counseling is mostly equipped with 2D ultrasound machines: the image is visible in width and height. Although more and more modern ultrasound equipment appears in state clinics. The 3D ultrasound machine allows you to get a three-dimensional holographic image, which shows even the baby’s facial expression. A 4D ultrasound is different from the three-dimensional ability to record the movement and movement of the baby.