Ultrasound scans utilize the sound waves in order to develop a picture of the baby in the woman’s womb. The ultrasound scans are completely painless, they do not have any known side effects on mothers or even the babies, and it can be carried out at any level or stage of the pregnancy.
You should know that having an ultrasound scan during the pregnancy is generally a pleasant event, but sometimes ultrasound scans may also detect some serious health conditions, so it would be for your own good to be ready to gain that information as well.
What Precisely is Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is also known as scan, which is actually a medical procedure that involves a high frequency sound waves that are transmitted through the body of the person and then it is picked up on a screen.
During the pregnancy of a woman, a device generally known as transducer is utilized to process along the mother’s abdomen. This movement sends the sound waves through the mother’s abdomen and across her uterus. The sound waves that travel from the abdomen of the pregnant woman bounce off the baby in the manner of echoes. A computer system then grasps the echo messages or notes, further translating them onto a screen. Whenever the baby moves or kicks in the womb, images can be viewed on the screen of the ultrasound system. The sound waves are believed to be in a very high pitch and intensity that is not audible to human ears.
Importance of Ultrasound in Pregnancy
Many women are worried about having an ultrasound during their pregnancy. Having the concern is good, but it is also needed to be understood that having an ultrasound during pregnancy at least once is common all across the globe. There are also some women that have several experiences of having ultrasound scans.
There is quite a lot of significance in having an ultrasound during pregnancy. First of all, you need to get it in your mind that since X-Rays transmits a lot of radiation it will surely be a great threat for both mother and baby. Unlike X-Rays, ultrasounds are comparatively way safer for both mother and baby, as it does not emit radiations. Secondly, it has been proved by many studies and investigations that ultrasounds do not cause any ionizing, which means there will be no risk of getting any kind of cancer through the ultrasound scanning.
Another significance of having an ultrasound in pregnancy is that it has the ability to provide very important diagnostic information regarding the baby that is in development. It also confirms the fertility of the women and also tells about the gestational age.
With the help of the ultrasounds it gets stress-free for the mothers to keep track of the development and health record of the baby that they carry in their womb. Pregnant women in many different regions of the world prefer the ultrasound examination more frequently and usually during the second trimester of their pregnancy to assure themselves that everything is going well and as they should have.
How Can You Be Prepared for an Ultrasound in Pregnancy?
During an ultrasound prior in the pregnancy, you may need to have a full bladder for the professional to get an unmistakable picture of the baby and your contraceptive organs. You should drink a few eight-ounce glasses of water an hour before you booked an ultrasound. You should not urinate afore your ultrasound, so you land at your meeting with a full bladder.
What Usually Happens During an Ultrasound?
The mother is asked to be laid down on the examination table or bed in order to conduct the ultrasound. An expert or generally known as ultrasound technician applies a specific type of gel (water-based, so that it will not leave marks on the clothes or skin) to the abdomen and pelvis of the mother. This gel is really helpful in communicating the sound waves in a much better way. After putting the gel, the technician places a device called transducer onto the mother’s belly. The transducer will be moved across the pregnant belly in order to catch black and white images onto the screen of the ultrasound system.
It could also happen that in order to take a few measurements of the image on the screen, the technician might ask you to hold your breath. They ask you to release your breath once they are done taking all the mandatory measurements, and check if the images are captured are clear or not. The technician then wipes off all the gel from your belly and will allow you to empty your bladder.
Difference between 2D, 3D & 4D Ultrasounds
Further developed ultrasound strategies might be utilized when a progressively definite picture is required. These may give the specialist the data essential to make a conclusion in the event that they distinguished issues during your customary ultrasound.
Since we have progressed to an advanced world that is full of enhanced technology, different types of ultrasounds have also been introduced that could provide a result with more precision and clarity. Three very common types of ultrasounds are practiced these days to scan the internal results of a pregnant belly. Discussed below are some noticeable variances among these three types of ultrasounds.
- 2-D Ultrasounds
A 2-D or transvaginal ultrasound might be done to create a clearer picture. This ultrasound is bound to be utilized during the beginning periods of pregnancy while catching a reasonable picture might be progressively troublesome. For this test, a little ultrasound test is embedded into the vagina. The test leans against the back of your vagina while the pictures are caught.
The images that are captured from the 2-D ultrasound tend to be in black and white traditionally and as well as have the same level of detail as a negative of a photograph taken from a camera. Different types of images are displayed onto the screen depending on the position of the baby and how it is lying inside the uterus.
- 3-D Ultrasounds
Not at all like an ordinary 2-D ultrasound, a 3-D ultrasound enabled your primary care physician to see the width, stature, and profundity of the baby and your organs. This ultrasound can be particularly useful in diagnosing any speculated issues during your pregnancy. A 3-D ultrasound pursues a similar method as a standard ultrasound, yet it utilizes an extraordinary test and programming to make the 3-D picture. It additionally requires extraordinary preparing for the specialist, so it may not be as broadly accessible.
- 4-D Ultrasounds
A 4-D ultrasound may likewise be known as a unique and dynamic 3-D ultrasound.
In contrast to different ultrasounds, a 4-D ultrasound offered by clinics such as Ultrasound Plus makes a moving video of the baby. It makes a moving video and superior picture of the baby in the womb. It likewise catches highlights, features and shadows better. This ultrasound is performed relatively to different ultrasounds, however with exceptional hardware or equipment.
Final Thoughts
Ultrasounds are indeed a very progressive way to keep track of the health of the baby and the mother as well. Among many reasons, the most noticeable reasons and benefits that can be concluded from the help of ultrasounds includes:
- It tells you about how the baby is developing inside the womb.
- Ultrasounds also help you learn the age of your baby before it is even born.
- It is helpful in learning about the problems that are related to your uterus, cervix, ovaries, or even the placenta.
- It is also a big help in learning the number of babies that the mother is carrying.
- Sometimes there are problems that are not visible externally, so ultrasounds are pretty much helpful in knowing any issues that the mother and the baby might be having.
- Ultrasounds also help to know about the heart rate of the baby in the womb.
- Ultrasounds can also be helpful in knowing the amniotic fluid, and as well as the growth and position of the baby in the uterus.
- Down syndrome signs can also be observed through the ultrasound results.
