Many doctors use fetal ultrasounds to help them determine if a pregnancy is progressing as it should. These ultrasounds can help health professionals monitor the growth of a fetus, and it may help them identify possible health issues that the baby may have. The procedure is very simple, and it can give doctors a great deal of information.
What is a Fetal Ultrasound?
During a fetal ultrasound, sound waves are used to create an image of the fetus, placenta and amniotic fluid. The ultrasound can be done transvaginally or by moving the transducer across the abdominal area. Transvaginal ultrasounds are often used to confirm the early stages of pregnancy, but they may also be used if a clear image cannot be obtained through a transabdominal ultrasound.
When Are Fetal Ultrasounds Performed?
Doctors may choose to do an ultrasound at any point during the pregnancy in order to diagnose health issues or potential problems. Some doctors perform an ultrasound when the fetus has reached a gestational age of eight weeks in order to confirm the pregnancy. Others may wait until twenty weeks for parents who want to learn the gender of the baby. Fetal ultrasounds can also be performed later in the pregnancy to determine if the baby is in the best position for delivery.
What Can a Fetal Ultrasound Detect?
The images obtained through an ultrasound can help doctors visualize what is happening inside the womb. The ultrasounds can tell them if a fetus is growing at the appropriate rate, which can allow them to predict a more accurate due date. They can detect ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies, as well as problems that may exist with the placenta or amniotic fluid. The images can also tell doctors if there are any physical abnormalities or birth defects, which can help parents prepare for any medical assistance they may need after the baby is born.
Are Fetal Ultrasounds Accurate?
Fetal ultrasounds have a high success rate of helping doctors identify certain health concerns, but they are not able to detect every health issue. They are less likely to be accurate if the mother is obese or if there are low levels of amniotic fluid. The position of the fetus may also interfere with the accuracy of the procedure.
Are There Risks Associated with Fetal Ultrasounds?
Fetal ultrasounds are not associated with any risks when they are performed by a professional healthcare provider. However, the FDA recommends that the procedures be used sparingly for medical purposes. If the ultrasounds are performed by non-medical facilities for keepsake videos, then the machines may emit higher levels of energy that could be potentially harmful.
Fetal ultrasounds are used by many doctors to help them learn more about fetuses and their development. If you are pregnant, then you can talk to your doctor about whether an ultrasound will give him the information he needs in order to make sure that your pregnancy is progressing as it should. You can also ask him to keep the information he learns private so that you are surprised when your baby is born.
Yassin is a medical professional with expertise in digital imagery. He works for Brit Systems Inc. in Dallas, Texas and blogs about his experience.