The test preferred in early pregnancy
Early pregnancy scan |
Which scan is best in early pregnancy?
An Early Pregnancy Scan (also
known as a Viability Scan or Dating Scan) gives you peace of mind during this
crucial period of your pregnancy. Pregnancy can be detected on the scan as
early as 6 weeks after the first day of your last period (LMP) when a heartbeat
should be seen.
Ultrasound is used throughout
pregnancy to check for multiple pregnancies, monitor the baby's development,
and discover any abnormalities. Although the ultrasound scan is not 100 percent
accurate, it has the advantage of being non-invasive, painless, and safe for
both the mother and the unborn child.
If fetal abnormalities are
discovered, you may be offered additional testing, such as amniocentesis and
chorionic villus collection, to confirm the diagnosis. Ultrasound is used
throughout pregnancy to check for multiple pregnancies, monitor the baby's
development, and discover any abnormalities.
Although the ultrasound scan is
not 100 percent accurate, it has the advantage of being non-invasive, painless,
and safe for both the mother and the unborn child.
If fetal abnormalities are
discovered, you may be offered additional testing, such as amniocentesis and
chorionic villus collection, to confirm the diagnosis.
What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a type of scan that
examines internal body structures using high-frequency sound waves. In a
handheld scanner, sound waves are generated by a vibrating crystal. The echoed
sound waves are then converted to a blurry, two-dimensional (or occasionally
three-dimensional) image on a monitor.
During pregnancy, ultrasound is
used to monitor the baby's development and to detect any abnormalities, such as
Down syndrome. Due to the procedure's inability to create high-quality
pictures, any suspected anomalies must be validated through additional testing.
Although the ultrasound scan is not 100 percent accurate, it has the advantage
of being non-invasive, painless, and safe for both the mother and the unborn
child.
Uses of ultrasound:
Ultrasound can be utilized during
many stages of pregnancy, including:
First trimester ultrasounds are
used to confirm that the embryo is developing inside the womb (rather than in a
fallopian tube, for example), confirm the number of embryos, and calculate the
gestational age and the baby's due date throughout the first three months of
pregnancy.
Ultrasound is used to assess the
development of fetal structures such as the spine, limbs, brain, and internal
organs during the second trimester, between weeks 18 and 20. The placenta's size
and placement are also examined. If the parents want to know, the sex of the
baby can be determined.
In the third trimester - after 30
weeks, an ultrasound is performed to ensure that the baby is still growing at a
healthy rate.
Medical issues:
Ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless,
and safe technique. Many parents view the ultrasound as a chance to glimpse
their unborn child and possibly learn its gender. However, keep in mind that
ultrasound is a diagnostic test, and it may indicate that a fetus has an
anomaly in some situations. In most cases, more testing is required to confirm
the diagnosis.
Procedure:
The technique varies depending on
the type of ultrasound machine utilized, however, it may comprise the
following:
Ultrasonography waves flow
through the water quite well in Trans abdominal ultrasounds. Because the
sonographer will use your full bladder as a 'porthole' into your uterus, you
should drink plenty of water before the exam. You lie down on a bed or an
examining table. The sonographer applies gel to your belly (to improve contact
between your skin and the scanner) and adjusts the scanner in various
locations. Images are quickly relayed to a nearby monitor. In order to examine
the deeper structures, the sonographer may have to push pretty hard at times.
The scan takes roughly 30 minutes on average.
Vaginal ultrasound - a Tran’s abdominal
ultrasound may not be able to give clear enough images in some circumstances. For
example, there could be too much air in your gut, and the air is a poor
conductor of sound waves. A thin scanner is placed into the vaginal canal in
these circumstances. The scan takes roughly 30 minutes on average.
After procedure:
You will be given tissues to wipe
away the gel after the ultrasound is completed, and you will be able to use the
restroom. Because the report is delivered to your doctor, you will need to
schedule an appointment to get it.
Complications:
There are no complications of
ultrasound to mother and fetus.
Care at home after ultrasound:
Ultrasound is a safe procedure there
is no aftercare at home after ultrasound because it has no radiation, noninvasive.
Long term outlook:
What happens next is determined
by the ultrasound results. Note that a normal result does not indicate that
your baby is healthy, as this test cannot detect all problems. If fetal
anomalies are discovered, more testing may be required to confirm the
diagnosis. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are examples of optional
diagnostics. Before deciding whether or not to proceed, discuss the advantages,
risks, and problems of these tests with your doctor.
Other pregnancy tests:
You may also be offered the
following types of pregnancy tests:
Amniocentesis — a slender needle
placed into the abdomen is used to extract a little amount of amniotic fluid.
With the use of ultrasonography, the needle is guided. The fluid sample
contains cells, which are subsequently tested for chromosomal abnormalities in
a laboratory. Amniocentesis has a one-in-250 chance of causing a miscarriage.
Chorionic villus sampling — a
small sample of the placenta is taken by inserting a thin needle into the
abdomen or cervix. With the use of ultrasonography, the needle is guided. The
chorionic villi are then examined for chromosomal abnormalities in the
laboratory. The chance of miscarriage after a chorionic villus sample is one in
a hundred.
Good time to perform ultrasound in pregnancy:
An ultrasound scan at 4 weeks of
pregnancy is a little early. In most countries, a pregnant woman's initial scan
occurs between weeks 8 and 14. At 18-21 weeks, another scan is normally
scheduled.
What are the needs to take an ultrasound
scan?
Ultrasounds are a painless, quick
way to check on how your pregnancy is proceeding and to learn more about your
baby's development. They can, for example:
Your pregnancy is confirmed (and
check for multiple pregnancies, for example, twins)
Check the age of your child and
the expected due date.
Examine your cervix and placenta
to evaluate how your baby's organs and other structures are developing. Check
your baby's position in your uterus.
Examine the amniotic fluid in and
around your baby.
Before procedure preparations:
The ultrasound clinic will
provide you with instructions on how to best prepare for your scan. Some
clinics will advise you to drink three glasses of water an hour before your
visit and to refrain from using the restroom or emptying your bladder until
after your scan. This is because seeing the visuals is easier with a full
bladder. Other clinics advise you to eat and drink normally, but not to empty
your bladder within 30 minutes of your consultation.
Please check with your clinic
when scheduling your visit to see what they prefer you to do.
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