Pregnancy is a remarkable journey filled with anticipation and excitement, but it also requires careful monitoring to ensure the well-being of both mother and baby.
Ultrasound technology plays a crucial role in modern prenatal care, offering a safe and non-invasive way to track fetal development, detect potential complications, and reassure expectant parents. Expectant mothers across Australia go for ultrasound scans, a standard and routine procedure of prenatal care.
In this article, we will explore how ultrasounds contribute to a healthy pregnancy and ensure the safety of both mother and child at every stage.
Table of Contents
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the baby in the womb.
This technique is usually non-invasive, and it helps doctors assess fetal growth, position, and overall well-being without exposing the mother or baby to radiation.
Pregnancy ultrasound in Sydney might be done in a clinic, an imaging centre, or a hospital. The scan is performed by a healthcare professional or a midwife, in some cases.
Types of ultrasounds used in pregnancy
Some of the most common types of ultrasound used in pregnancy include transvaginal ultrasound, transabdominal, 3D and 4D ultrasound, Doppler, and fetal echocardiography. Depending on how detailed the image is required, the ultrasound technician might ask for more advanced techniques.
Transvaginal ultrasound
This ultrasound technique is used in early pregnancy or for more detailed images. For this test, a probe is inserted into the vagina. The probe is designed to fit the vagina’s shape for a more comfortable experience, and a lubricating gel helps ease insertion. This test is not painful, but it’s not comfortable either.
Transabdominal ultrasound
This ultrasound test is a standard scan performed by moving a probe over the mother’s belly. This probe helps visualize the baby externally. This ultrasound shouldn’t hurt, and it’s done after around 12 weeks of pregnancy.
3D and 4D ultrasound
Both of these ultrasound techniques are performed as standard transabdominal ultrasounds; the only difference is the high resolution image they provide.
A 3D scan offers a three-dimensional look of the baby in utero. This allows doctors a better look at the baby and its development.
A 4D scan, also known as a dynamic 3D scan, creates a moving video of the baby in utero. It provides a clearer view of the baby’s face and movements while enhancing details through improved highlights and shadows.
Doppler ultrasound
This scan, with the help of sound waves, monitors blood flow in vessels. During pregnancy, it assesses circulation in the baby, uterus, and placenta. It is particularly beneficial in high-risk pregnancies where the baby’s well-being is a concern.
Fetal Echocardiography
This ultrasound is performed when a doctor suspects congenital heart defects. It’s a specialized ultrasound to examine the baby’s heart. It’s not much different than a transabdominal scan, but it lasts longer.
It provides a detailed image of the fetus’s heart, showcasing its size, shape, and structure. This ultrasound also allows doctors to assess heart function, aiding in the diagnosis of potential heart conditions.
Uses of ultrasound in pregnancy
Ultrasound in pregnancy serves several key purposes – to confirm and date pregnancy, monitor fetal growth and development, assess maternal health, as well as determine fetal position and viability.
Confirming pregnancy and dating
Ultrasounds are performed to confirm pregnancy, detect the heartbeat, and establish gestational age, which helps in planning prenatal care. The earliest ultrasound can be performed at 6 weeks of pregnancy. This scan can detect pregnancy even though the embryo hasn’t developed into a fetus yet.
Monitoring fetal growth and development
The second most frequent use of ultrasound in pregnancy is to track fetal growth by measuring head, abdomen, and femur length. An ultrasound scan can also assess organ development to detect congenital abnormalities and identify markers for genetic conditions when necessary.
Assessing maternal health
Ultrasound scans aren’t only used to track the baby, but also to assess maternal health. A scan can evaluate the placenta for conditions like placenta previa.
With it, doctors can also monitor cervical health to prevent preterm labor and measure amniotic fluid levels to identify potential complications.
Determining fetal position and viability
As the pregnancy progresses, an ultrasound scan can help assess fetal position before delivery. It can also be used to detect ectopic pregnancies or the risk of miscarriage.
Key benefits of ultrasound in pregnancy
Ultrasound is a great tool during pregnancy because it offers essential insights into fetal health and development while ensuring early detection of potential complications.
Early detection of complications
One of the greatest benefits of ultrasounds in pregnancy is the early detection of complications. Regular ultrasound scans can identify issues like fetal growth restriction (FGR), genetic risks, or maternal health concerns early enough for intervention.
Monitoring fetal growth and development
As mentioned, one of the uses as well as benefits is the monitoring of fetal growth and development. Ultrasounds help track the baby’s growth, ensuring they are developing at a healthy rate. The measurements of the head, abdomen, and limbs provide insights into fetal health.
Guidance for high-risk pregnancies
In cases where there are complications such as diabetes or hypertension, regular scans ensure close monitoring of these pregnancies, which are considered high-risk.
Reassurance and bonding
For parents, seeing the baby during ultrasounds reduces anxiety. It also fosters a deep emotional connection for expectant parents, strengthening their bond and offering a tangible glimpse of the life developing inside.
Are pregnancy ultrasounds safe?
Ultrasounds have been safely used in pregnancy for over two decades, with no evidence linking them to birth defects, childhood cancer, or developmental issues. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds rely on sound waves, posing no known risks to the mother or baby.
However, keep in mind that ultrasounds should only be performed for medical reasons by qualified professionals.
Conclusion
Ultrasounds are a vital part of prenatal care, offering essential insights into fetal health and development while ensuring early detection of potential complications.
By providing real-time images of the baby’s progress, ultrasounds not only aid medical professionals in making informed decisions but also give parents a special connection with their unborn child.
However, while they are routinely offered, ultrasounds are not mandatory.
Apart from that, if you are interested to know about “Why do doctors suggest HCG injections during pregnancy?” then visit our “Health” category.
