Sonography During Pregnancy

What Are The Different Types Of Sonography During Pregnancy?

An ultrasound scan or sonography is the best way to assess the condition of the fetus inside the womb. The scan majorly helps in detecting any kind of growth deformities, any abnormal conditions and even the gender of the baby. However, in some countries like India, gender detection under any circumstances is a crime as well as it is illegal.

In the present times, the famous ultrasounds or sonography that helps in disclosing the high-quality baby images are 3D and 4D.

Find out different types of sonography during pregnancy.

• Dating And Viability Scan: Dating scan helps to determine the week of pregnancy. One has to conduct this scan the initial six to nine weeks of the pregnancy. Visibility scan helps to find out the number of embryos
• 3-D Sonography: This type of sonography is available in few hospitals only as it is a thorough and complete process that reveals specifics like height, width, depth of the fetus as well as the other organs in the form of images.
• 4-D Ultrasound: This ultrasound requires a special type of instrument and is again not available in all hospitals. It is also known as ‘Dynamic 3-D Ultrasound. This type of scan can create an animated video of the different fetal activities like its movements, facial expressions, shadows, etc.
• Doppler Ultrasound: Doppler ultrasound helps in assessing the blood flow in both the mother and the baby.
• Fetal Echocardiography: This scan takes longer hours to finish. It is used for diagnosing heart issues in the fetus. The scanning image looks quite like the usual pregnancy ultrasound.
• Trans Abdominal Ultrasound: This ultrasound captures black and white images concerning the fetal abnormalities and the growth patterns. The waves are sent to the womb with the help of a specific type of gel and a transducer.
• Trans Vaginal Sonography: This type of sonography is used in the early phase of pregnancy. Here, the images are captured by inserting a probe into the vagina.

What Is The Frequency Of Getting Sonography During Pregnancy?

Ultrasound in pregnancy helps to track the growth and development of the mother and the baby. the sonography during pregnancy happens as per the doctor’s recommendation. The medical condition of all pregnant ladies would differ from one to another since all body types are different, yet some scans remain the same for all. Some expecting mothers may need additional scans depending on the reports. Some common sonography during pregnancy are:

Sonography During the First Trimester Of Pregnancy

The first trimester is a crucial time and here are the things you find during the sonography during the first trimester.

• It is important to have a dating scan in the initial six weeks.
• An NT scan should then follow this from nine to eleven weeks.
• You can find out your due date during the first ultrasound
• You can hear the baby’s heartbeat in an ultrasound after 6 weeks of pregnancy
• The scan in the first trimester helps in discovering the number of a fetus carried in the womb. It can also successfully detect and position.
• Any signs of spotting or bleeding can also be detected by the images taken through scans.

Sonography During The Second Trimester Of Pregnancy

As the second-trimester approach, the following aspects related to pregnancy can be detected.

• You can find the gender of your baby during sonography during the second trimester. However, it is illegal in India.
• The sonographer will be able to assess the growth of the fetus and its position as well.
• The scan helps in revealing any birth defects or any anomalies.
• Sonography during the second trimester helps to detect down syndrome

Sonography During The Third Trimester

Generally, the doctor avoids recommending scanning through the vagina during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Sonography during the third trimester helps in detecting the following.

• The scan re-assess any anomalies detected in earlier scans.
• It can help to see any anatomical changes in the fetus.
• Sonography during a third-trimester helps to assess the baby’s position.
• It can track if the baby’s growth is as per the medical reports.

Is sonography during pregnancy harmful?

Sonography during pregnancy is relatively safe. However, if someone has undergone any pains or injuries from before in the lower abdomen or vagina, then the transducer pressure can be slightly painful or discomforting.

How To Prepare For Sonography During Pregnancy?

A full bladder is a must to perform sonography during pregnancy. Only if your bladder is full, a good quality image of the fetus can be obtained. Therefore, it is important to consume at least 10-14 glasses of water an hour before the scheduled time for the ultrasound.

A full bladder or an urgent urge to pee is the sign that you are ready, and you can even be sure that the results will be accurate. So always make it a point to reach the ultrasound room with a full bladder.

How Can You See A Baby In An Ultrasound?

You can see the baby in an ultrasound with the help of the images captured. The fetal ultrasound helps in detecting and measuring the spine, head, and heart of the baby. Ultrasound can be either through the vagina or lower abdomen. It is known as transvaginal sonography and transabdominal sonography respectively. The fetal ultrasound is a safe gateway to assess the growth of the unborn baby.

The following steps can easily understand the process of ultrasound and the detection of the image of the baby as below:

• The bladder should be full while performing an ultrasound
• Sonography is a simple process. One should lie down straight on the examination table. One who conducts the sonography will apply a special type of gel on the pelvic and the abdominal area.
• The gel helps in establishing good contact between the transducer and the womb. It also allows the waves to travel well within the abdomen and the pelvic area.
• The expert who conducts the sonography will gently press and slowly move a transducer that resembles a small wand. This Transducer captures black and white images on the computer screen.
• You may be asked to hold the breath while the process is on.
• Immediately after a successful scan, the sonographer will remove the gel from the belly. After this, one can empty the bladder as well.

Important Pointers

• Sonography is a process that helps to assess the health and the developing phases of the baby. So it is important to keep getting it when scheduled.
• Only experts can carry on sonography and interpret the results.
• If the expert who performed your scan find some abnormality in ultrasound or if the image is not clear enough, he may recommend repeating the scan.
• The process of sonography is not a painful one under regular conditions, yet it is painful or discomforting, it is important to inform the doctor.
• One should wear clothes that do not obstruct with the scan. One should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the bladder full. Start drinking water an hour before the scheduled time. It helps to successfully finish the process of scanning and offer a clearer view of the fetus.

Thus, sonography during pregnancy help to track the growth and the development of the fetus. The type of scan depends on the medical situation.