Ultrasounds have become commonplace in every medical facility and hospital. With the advancement in reproductive technology, ultrasounds are now a crucial part of prenatal care. A pregnancy ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to capture high-quality visuals of the developing fetus.
A typical ultrasound uses a handheld sensor, also known as a transducer to produces high sound waves. The transducer is placed against the body surface, and the produced sound waves bounce back to the sensor. The reflected wave is then turned into a high-quality visual of that body part.
This medical sonogram technique is used in both the diagnosis of the medical condition and in assessing the right treatment for it. The reasons for opting to go for the ultrasound vary, from monitoring the health of the fetus to detecting the anomalies and congenital disabilities. Along with the standard ultrasound process, the advancement in reproductive technology has led to the introduction of more advanced and innovative ultrasound techniques. Clinics like Ultrasound Plus provide a wide variety of ultrasound procedures, including the 3D and 4D ultrasounds.
Reasons for having an ultrasound in pregnancy:
The chief reason as to why ultrasounds are preferred in pregnancy is that the technique is painless and requires no shots, anaesthesia or needles. Since the method works on the sound waves, it reduces the chances of exposing the fetus to the damaging ionizing radiation, which is used in CT scans and X-Rays.
The best part about having an ultrasound is that it can easily capture the visuals of soft tissues which are not clearly shown on the X-rays or any other scanning method. From being easily accessible to highly cost-effective, ultrasound is a vital part of prenatal practice providing crucial information regarding the morphological and physiological development and growth.
First trimester:
Having the first ultrasound is a joyous event since the parents-to-be get to see a clear picture of their unborn baby for the first time. The first ultrasound not only confirms the pregnancy; rather, it also checks for the heartbeat of the developing fetus. The ultrasound in the first trimester also estimates the expected date and the gestational age of the baby.
Where the ultrasound scans and monitors the development and condition of the placenta, ovaries, cervix and uterus, it also lets you know whether you will be blessed with a single baby or with multiples. Since the first trimester is the pivotal time of the entire pregnancy duration, the ultrasounds conducted in this period also helps in detecting any abnormality in pregnancy and in determining the occurrence of miscarriage.
Second and third trimester:
The second trimester is regarded as the golden period as all the effects and impacts of pregnancy start disappearing. Ultrasounds done during this period not only monitors the position and growth of the fetus rather it also tells the gender of the developing baby.
From revealing the gender to detecting the congenital disabilities, the ultrasounds done in third and second trimesters are the decisive ones. It also helps in examining the blood flow and determining the amount of oxygen the fetus receives.
