Pregnancy Ultrasound Questions
An ultrasound is a relatively simple process that is starting to develop some controversy here in the United States. Health insurance companies are doubting the usefulness of the ultrasound, and many hospitals are only recommending one ultrasound at about the 20 week mark of a pregnancy. But there are usually a lot of questions about an ultrasound, and it can help put new parents at ease to understand the basics.
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Identification
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An ultrasound is a common procedure given to pregnant women to determine the health of the fetus, and to determine if the mother is experiencing any complications due to the pregnancy. The procedure uses sound waves at various intensities to help create an image of the fetus in the womb, and all of the surrounding tissue. It is normally recommended that an ultrasound be done as infrequently as possible, and only used when it is medically necessary.
Negative Effects
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According to Dr. Ben Kim, there are a few potential negative side effects to an ultrasound for the fetus and the mother. The sound waves are bounced off the tissue inside the womb, and then off the fetus to create an image. Dr. Kim indicates that using ultrasound can increase the blood flow in the womb and the temperature, and it can also create gas bubbles that put pressure on the tissue. This has the potential to cause a miscarriage, a premature birth or possibly a stillborn baby. Effects on the child after birth could include the learning disorder known as dyslexia, or a number of other speech problems.
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General Use
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An ultrasound is used at various points in a pregnancy to look for any potential complications with the pregnancy, or point out any possible developmental problems with the fetus. In the first trimester an ultrasound is used to confirm the pregnancy, and then to measure the health of the heart of the fetus. In the second trimester the ultrasound is primarily used to determine if the fetus is developing properly and check for any abnormalities or deformities, and the sex of the fetus and potential birth date is also determined. In the third trimester the ultrasound is used to confirm that the fetus is in the proper position for birth, and to determine the location of the placenta.
Types of Ultrasound
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There are several different types of ultrasound scans used during a typical pregnancy. A transvaginal scan is used in the early stages of the pregnancy, and it is a scan used to determine the condition of the vagina and if any complications can be expected during the pregnancy. The standard ultrasound uses a wand-type device to create an image of the womb by running the wand over the mother's stomach. An advanced ultrasound is used to scan any specific problems that were seen in any other ultrasounds. A Doppler ultrasound is used to detect changes in the various cell structures within the mother and the fetus. A 3-D ultrasound creates 3-D images of the fetus so it can be viewed from all angles, and a 4-D ultrasound is used to view the face of the fetus just prior to birth. A 4-D ultrasound is sometimes referred to as a dynamic 3-D ultrasound. Fetal echocardiography is used to determine the health of the heart of the fetus.
Determining Birth Date
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One of the most common questions about ultrasounds revolves around the ability of the doctor to estimate a birth date based on the results of an ultrasound. Actually, the doctor uses the ultrasound to make developmental observations about the fetus and try to determine exactly how far along the pregnancy is. Then considerations such as the mother's blood hormone level, and the exact date of her last menstrual cycle, are used to help try and create a birth date for the baby. It is important to try an establish a birth date because the course of prenatal care is determined by the potential birth date of the child.
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