Mother to be ? :Ultrasound Evaluation " A must have"

Ultrasound Evaluation during the First Trimester is an important diagnostic tool for any pregnant woman and her baby. It takes less than 30 minutes and is performed at different times during the pregnancy. It is performed via transdominal or may also be performed as a transvaginal study, it is not painful.

Helps ensure baby is healthy, it is considered safe for mother-to-be and her baby and aiding in diagnosis and treatment of a variety of medical conditions and common pregnancy complications, pregnancy ultrasound has become a “must-have diagnostic procedure”.

In early pregnancy helps to establish the site and status of the Gestational Sac which is the first element measurable and used for estimating gestational age. Useful between 5 and 8 menstrual weeks with accuracy of +/- 0.5 week . After that , the length of the embryo (crown-rump length.) is among the best documented parameters to date the pregnancy , with accuracy of +/- 3-5 days.

Some clinical Indications for First Trimester Obstetric Sonography are:

1.) Confirm ongoing pregnancy in the setting of vaginal bleeding and pain (Threaten Abortion)
2.) Establish gestation age and EDC (due date) when menstrual history inadequate.
3.) Exclusion of Ectopic pregnancy: Primarily by identification of intrauterine implantation.

It is expected that a fetal ultrasound will be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, in the second trimester and the third, but it can be performed at different times during pregnancy, many healthcare providers perform ultrasounds at eight to 12 weeks of pregnancy to determine the actual due date by viewing the fetus and its size; at 10-13 weeks to check the development of the brain and spinal cord; at 16-20 weeks to check baby’s size, growth and likelihood of birth defects; Further scans may sometimes be done at around 32 weeks or later to evaluate fetal size (to estimate the fetal weight) and assess fetal growth. or to follow up on possible abnormalities seen at an earlier scan. Placental position is further verified, to check the amount of amniotic fluid and the baby’s overall well-being and development. The most common reason for having more scans in the later part of pregnancy is fetal growth retardation. Doppler scans may also be necessary in that situation. The total number of scans will vary depending on whether a previous scan has detected certain abnormalities that require follow-up assessment.