Ultrasound during pregnancy: features of the procedure
Ultrasound examination (UZD) is a method of examining internal organs and tissues, which became possible thanks to the reflection of ultrasonic vibrations from structures of different densities. Ultrasound of the fetus at different stages of pregnancy helps the doctor not only to determine the sex, but also to understand how normally the future child develops.
What is ultrasound
What is placed on a pregnant woman's stomach is called a transducer (sensor). It is he who produces oscillations of sound waves, and they have such a high frequency that a person is simply unable to hear them. During the ultrasound screening of a pregnant woman, ultrasound waves penetrate deep into the body, hitting the internal organs and the fetus in the uterus. All tissues and organs in a woman's body have different densities, so ultrasound is reflected from them at different speeds and returned to the sensor. In turn, the sensor sends them to the analytical part of the device, which is a powerful computer. Then the difference in speed is transformed into a video image, which the doctor and the expectant mother see on the monitor. You can get more detailed information about ultrasound examination on our website Dobrobut.com.
Ultrasound during pregnancy is not accompanied by pain or discomfort, does not entail negative consequences either for the fetus or for the woman herself.
The first trimester of pregnancy
Ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy is the only reliable method of diagnosing ectopic pregnancy, the threat of miscarriage, "bladder drift". The conducted ultrasound examination allows not only to identify the problem, but also to choose an effective treatment, which will help in some cases to save the pregnancy.
In addition, obstetric ultrasound (that's what the first ultrasound of pregnant women is called) will help the doctor:
- when confirming pregnancy, determine the level of fetal development and pay attention to pathological abnormalities in time;
- determine the term of pregnancy - this is done with very high accuracy using ultrasound;
- register the fact of uterine pregnancy at an extremely early stage - 2.5-3 weeks after conception;
- to diagnose a gynecological disease in the event that there is a delay in menstruation, but pregnancy is not confirmed.
Ultrasound at 12 weeks of pregnancy (the end of the first trimester) allows the doctor to detect gross pathological deviations in the development of the fetus - for example, gross mutilations that are incompatible with life or lead to the disability of the child after birth are often diagnosed during such an examination. With such early diagnosis of severe fetal pathologies, parents have the opportunity to decide on the feasibility of preserving the pregnancy. Most often, the issue is resolved radically - the woman consents to an artificial termination of pregnancy. This, according to statistics, has far fewer consequences than the death of a fetus in the late stages of pregnancy or the death of a born child.
The first ultrasound during pregnancy can already confirm the fact of multiple pregnancy.
Ultrasound of pregnant women in the second trimester
The second trimester of pregnancy is the active growth and development of the fetus, it is during this period that the doctor can find out the gender of the child on ultrasound, assess the state of the placenta (its size, age and place of attachment), determine the compliance of the development of the future child with the accepted norms. Such information is very important, as it makes it possible to carry out emergency medical intervention in a timely manner and, in some cases, save the life not only of the future child, but also of the woman.
Ultrasound of pregnant women in the second trimester helps in the early stages to detect the development of preeclampsia (late toxicosis), to diagnose antiphospholipid syndrome (the main cause of miscarriage and premature birth). The main task of this research method in the second trimester of pregnancy is the prenatal diagnosis of birth defects in the future child. The size and level of development of the fetal organs allow the doctor to carefully examine the fingers/toes and the structure of the vertebrae. The possibilities of 3d ultrasound during pregnancy, when the image of the fetus is transferred to the screen "in volume", the doctor uses it to detect various congenital malformations. This helps both specialists and future parents to mentally prepare for the birth of a child with abnormalities, to choose the tactics of further management of the pregnancy and to plan the treatment of the newborn child to eliminate defects.
The most pleasant thing that gives the second ultrasound: a girl or a boy is in the mother's womb - at these stages of pregnancy, it is determined with almost 100% accuracy.
Ultrasound in the third trimester of pregnancy
The main purpose of research in the late stages of pregnancy is the assessment of the fetoplacental complex. This term refers to the "working" state of the placenta and indicators of fetal development (size, level of maturity of organs and systems). Ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy allows the doctor to determine intrauterine fetal development delay or fetoplacental insufficiency. Such deviations may require immediate medical intervention, which will prevent the birth of an immature, weakened, low-weight child.
Ultrasound of twins in the third trimester of pregnancy allows you to determine the location of the future children, give predictions about the future childbirth, based on such studies, the doctor can refer the woman to a cesarean section. In the third trimester of pregnancy, this research allows you to detect those pathologies that are simply impossible to diagnose at earlier stages of pregnancy - for example, hydronephrosis of the fetus or megaureter. In some cases, ultrasound examination allows not only to carry out an accurate diagnosis, but also to carry out treatment of pathologies directly in the uterine cavity.
If a woman undergoes a 4D ultrasound during pregnancy in the third trimester, she will be able to see on the monitor not only the gender of the future child, but also the movements of fingers, limbs and eyelids.
Ultrasound of the baby by weeks is a mandatory procedure for all pregnant women. If the pregnancy proceeds without complications, then the plan for conducting the research method under consideration is as follows:
- at 10-14 weeks of pregnancy
- at 20-24 weeks of pregnancy
- at 32-34 weeks of pregnancy.
If pathologies are detected, a pregnant woman can be prescribed even 10 or more ultrasounds.
Ultrasound of pregnant women is a guarantee of timely diagnosis of abnormalities both in the health of the woman herself and in the development of the fetus. Therefore, you should not refuse such a study - no harm will be caused to your health, but doctors will be able to give a high-precision prognosis regarding the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the development of the future child.
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