Pregnancy Ultrasound
One of the most memorable times of your entire pregnancy may be when you have your first pregnancy ultrasound.
Pregnancy ultrasound transmits high frequency sound waves throughout the pregnant woman’s abdomen in order to see the developing baby inside.
A transducer is a device that is attached to special equipment that is gently glided over the abdomen to take pictures of the baby, and echoes are recorded and transformed onto a screen. Most pregnancy ultrasounds take photographic images of the developing baby as well (and give the mom-to-be a keepsake to take home with her).
Pregnancy ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool that can help your OB/GYN determine if your baby is developing properly, foresee any problems or abnormalities, and help to confirm your estimated date of delivery. The pregnancy ultrasound shows images of not only the baby, but the amniotic sac and placenta, as well as your ovaries.
Pregnancy Ultrasound: Procedure
As mentioned above, most pregnancy ultrasounds are performed on the abdomen, using a clear lubricating gel to allow the transducer to slide easily across the stomach. However, an alternative type of pregnancy ultrasound is the transvaginal ultrasound, which is undertaken using a tubular probe that the technician inserts into the vaginal cavity. The transvaginal ultrasound is not commonly used, but is indicated whenever the OB/GYN thinks that a problem might exist because it gives a better image of the baby, the uterus, and the ovaries.
Safety of Pregnancy Ultrasound
Pregnancy ultrasound is harmless to you and your baby, according to many studies. Ultrasound does not use radiation, like a traditional x-ray, but uses safe sound waves that are inaudible to the human ear. There are no side effects from pregnancy ultrasound.
Timing of Pregnancy Ultrasound
A pregnancy ultrasound is typically performed around twenty weeks into most pregnancies, although each pregnancy is different, and many OB/GYNs order ultrasounds much earlier and more frequently – which might also depend upon any complications you are having in the pregnancy (more on that below). During your pregnancy ultrasound, your OB/GYN will want to confirm that the placenta is healthy and viable, and that is it attached normally within your womb. The OB/GYN will also take measurements of the growing baby to make sure that he or she is developing properly, and will check the baby’s heartbeat and the movements of its body, legs, and arms. It is during pregnancy ultrasounds at or after twenty weeks that the sex of the baby can typically be determined. However, the pregnancy ultrasound is not a definitive means of determining gender; more than a few pregnant women have been told they are having one sex or the other, only to be surprised after the delivery. It is important to note that if you want to be surprised about your baby’s sex, let the technician or your OB/GYN know prior to the ultrasound exam.
Reasons for Pregnancy Ultrasound
A pregnancy ultrasound may be performed earlier than twenty weeks if your doctor suspects that there is more than one fetus growing, or if you are unsure of your due date. Consequent pregnancy ultrasounds may be called for later on in pregnancy if your OB/GYN feels the need to determine that the baby continues to be healthy, that the placenta has remained in place, that there is sufficient amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, or to determine the baby’s position or expected weight.
3-D and 4-D Pregnancy Ultrasound
The new generations of pregnancy ultrasounds can show a three dimensional view of the baby growing inside of you – with clarity that is similar to that of a photograph. 3-D ultrasound is very useful when detecting birth defects. A moving pregnancy ultrasound picture interpretation is known as 4-D ultrasound, and provides very accurate information about the “goings on” inside the mother’s womb.
Preparing for a Pregnancy Ultrasound
A pregnancy ultrasound is a pretty basic test, and requires no special preparations. Some OB/GYNs may ask that you drink four to six glasses of water before the test in order to have a full bladder. This will help the technician to get a better view of the baby during the pregnancy ultrasound.
