Ultrasound In Pregnancy: What to Expect, Purpose & Results

The journey of pregnancy is full of excitement, anticipation, joy, and, naturally, anxiety. One highlight is a pregnancy ultrasound, which tracks the overall well-being and growth of the baby during pregnancy. Experiencing the first ultrasound after knowing that you are pregnant is one of the most magical experiences of your life, the first live glimpse of your baby. However, moving past the excitement, pregnancy ultrasounds are crucial to ensure that you and your baby are feeling “peachy”. 

This blog will act like your personal pregnancy ultrasound guide, discussing every inch and corner of ultrasound in pregnancy. We will cover why it is required, the type of scans, their purpose, and what to expect. Let’s start.

What Is a Pregnancy Ultrasound?

Pregnancy ultrasound, aka sonogram, is a screening method using sound waves to create real-time images of the baby growing inside your womb. Prenatal ultrasounds are a safe, non-invasive, and radiation-free procedure that has been a crucial medical procedure for over 30 years. Major health authorities, such as the FDA and ACOG, say that medically indicated ultrasounds do not pose any risk to the mother or the baby.

Why Are Pregnancy Ultrasounds Conducted?

Ultrasounds in pregnancy are conducted for key medical purposes:

·         Dating the pregnancy and finding the estimated due date (EDD) accurately.

·         Confirming the baby’s heartbeat and viability.

·         Monitoring the growth, anatomy, and development of the baby.

·         Detecting pregnancy complications like spina bifida or any heart defects.

·         Check the position of the placenta, amniotic fluid levels, and multiple gestations.

·         Evaluating the baby’s position near the time of delivery or breech.

·         Guiding fetal echocardiograms or amniocentesis.

When and Why Get an Ultrasound During Pregnancy?

·         Trimester 1 (Week 6 - 9): Throughout your first trimester, you will undergo a transvaginal scan to establish pregnancy, listen to the baby's heartbeat, and date the pregnancy correctly.

·         Trimester 2 (Week 18 - 22): Throughout your second trimester, the physician will perform an anatomy or anomaly scan to examine the baby's anatomy and determine if there are any congenital anomalies or not.

·         Trimester 3 (Week 28 - 36): In the third trimester, your doctor would perform a growth and placenta scan to check the size, position, and amount of fluid. This is also to check if there are any late pregnancy risks or not.

High-risk pregnancies may necessitate extra scans, including Doppler or serial growth ultrasound, to check the blood flow.

Types of Pregnancy Ultrasound

·         2D Ultrasound (Routine): It delivers 2-D flat images, which are required for most assessments.

·         3D Ultrasound: This procedure produces clear and still images and is used selectively for anatomical concerns.

·         4D Ultrasound: It delivers real-time video of the baby’s movement and is used sparingly and typically for bonding purposes.

·         Doppler Ultrasound: It measures the blood flow in the fetus, placenta, or umbilical cord. Doppler ultrasound is essential for high-risk pregnancies.

NOTE: Medical bodies like ACOG and the FDA advise against the 3D/4D scans outside of the clinical settings as they lack safety data and medical benefits.

What To Expect During a Pregnancy Ultrasound?

Preparation:

Your healthcare provider might ask you to drink plenty of water before the scan (if it is a pelvic scan) so the bladder is full. The reason behind this is that a full bladder helps lift the uterus for a clearer view of the developing fetus.

The Process:

You would have to lie on a table, and the healthcare provider would apply a clear gel on your abdomen. This gel helps the transducer to glide smoothly over your skin and enhances the transmission of sound waves. The doctor will then move the transducer over your belly and occasionally ask you to change your position to capture different angles.

Duration:

Most routine pregnancy ultrasounds last between 15 to 30 minutes.

Interaction:

Many expectant moms love the opportunity to see their baby’s heartbeat, movement, and even facial features during a pregnancy ultrasound.

Purpose of Ultrasound During Pregnancy

Confirming Pregnancy and Dating the Baby:

During the early phase of the first trimester, a pregnancy ultrasound confirms whether a pregnancy has begun or not and also helps determine the gestational age. Furthermore, ultrasound during pregnancy helps schedule future appointments and manage the timeline of prenatal care.

Assessing Fetal Development:

As pregnancy progresses, ultrasounds monitor the growth and development of the baby. It helps the doctors to understand the size, heartbeat, and overall health of the baby. This early detection is crucial for identifying any developmental issues in the baby.

Detecting Multiple Pregnancies:

Pregnancy ultrasounds determine whether you are expecting twins, triplets, or more kids. Knowing about multiple pregnancies is crucial as they require additional monitoring and specialized prenatal care.

Evaluating Placenta & Amniotic Fluids:

The pregnancy ultrasound scan helps check where the placenta is and how healthy it is, along with the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby. Both are important for the baby’s well-being, and any issues could signal potential complications.

Guides:

When further tests are needed, like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), pregnancy ultrasounds help doctors guide the process, making it safer and more accurate.

Understanding The Results of Ultrasound During Pregnancy

Understanding the results of ultrasound during pregnancy can sometimes if overwhelming if you are a stranger to medical terms. Mentioned below are some of the common elements explained:

Fetal Measurements:

Your sonographer will measure different parts of your baby’s body, such as the CRL in early pregnancy or the head circumference in the later phases. These pregnancy ultrasound measurements help estimate the baby’s weight and development.

Heartbeat:

Detecting the baby’s heartbeat is one of the most reassuring indicators of a pregnancy ultrasound. A regular and strong heartbeat is a positive sign of the baby’s good health.

Anatomical Details:

Depending on the gestational age of your pregnancy, the ultrasound may include a thorough baby's anatomy ultrasound. The aspects include brain, spine, heart, and organ examination. If any abnormality is found, the physicians can assist in formulating a plan to treat or continue evaluating.

Placenta Position:

During the pregnancy scan, the position of the placenta is examined. A low-lying placenta might require close monitoring and affect the delivery plan.

Levels of Amniotic Fluid:

Having adequate amniotic fluid is pivotal for the optimal growth of the baby. Both high and low levels of amniotic fluid indicate issues that might need immediate attention.

What Makes Trimacare the Best Prenatal Vitamins?

Ultrasound in pregnancy is a key tool of pregnancy to track the baby's development, checking for any abnormalities, and determining the calculated date of delivery. Expectant mothers have increased nutritional requirements, which are not met by the staple Indian diet. Introducing Trimacare prenatal vitamins, the best choice for pregnancy supplements in India. Trimacare delivers vital nutrients such as folate, DHA Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, etc., that support fetal brain growth and help prevent birth defects. Its trimester-wise formula guarantees optimal nutrition for each phase of pregnancy, complementing the findings of ultrasound by maximizing maternal and fetal well-being.

As a clinically formulated formula, Trimacare optimizes pregnancy health, delivering the best possible results during pregnancy with routine pregnancy ultrasounds. Choose Trimacare and ensure a safer pregnancy.

To Summarize

Ultrasound during pregnancy isn’t just a routine scan but a magical window into the secret world where life begins. It is the moment where science meets wonder. Each pregnancy ultrasound gives you your estimated due date and allows you to witness a glimpse of your baby’s first dance. Ultrasound supports both your physical well-being and your emotional well-being, turning ordinary checkups into treasured milestones. By knowing what each picture is showing—from monitoring your little one's growth to planning for critical care—you enter your appointments with added confidence, eager to mark each heartbeat along this amazing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What should I expect during my pregnancy ultrasound?

Your healthcare provider will ask you to lie down to apply gel and move the transducer over your belly to capture images of your growing baby.

Are pregnancy ultrasounds accurate?

Ultrasounds are highly accurate in measuring your baby’s size and estimated due date.

Are ultrasounds safe for me and my baby?

Yes, ultrasounds are safe for both you and your baby as they are non-invasive and radiation-free.

Can ultrasound detect all types of fetal conditions?

Even though ultrasounds are very good at identifying a lot of problems, they may not find all problems. So, follow-up tests are occasionally needed and advisable.

What if the pregnancy ultrasound reveals an abnormality in the baby?

If any abnormality is found in your baby in an ultrasound, your physician will talk to you about additional tests to provide you and your baby with the best possible care.