The test is preferred in early pregnancy

 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.