Why is an Ultrasound Used During Pregnancy?

Ultrasound is used as a diagnostic tool in obstetrics to determine the health of the baby and to make measurements that can determine gestational age, size and also the growth of the unborn baby.

The ultrasound scan is a visual tool that is considered to be safe and it is non-invasive. It is also accurate as well as cost-effective. Today, the ultrasound plays a significant role in helping obstetricians and other health care providers to care for the mom-to-be and her unborn baby.

There are some basic reasons the ultrasound is a significant tool for obstetrical use including to be used as a method of confirming pregnancy, to date a pregnancy and to rule out or confirm the presence of multiple fetuses. It can also be used to detect viability of a fetus when vaginal bleeding occurs early in pregnancy. An ultrasound may also be performed in order to diagnose specific conditions such as placental abnormalities.

The ultrasound can also be used to determine intrauterine death, to confirm fetal presentation, to evaluate fetal movements and also to check for the presence of uterine and pelvic abnormalities such as fibromyomata and ovarian cyst during pregnancy.

Different Ultrasounds:

The transvaginal scan is ultrasound scanning using a probe that is placed in the vagina. Typically better images can be obtained especially in early pregnancy, or when patients are obese. Vaginal scans allow the scanhead to be closer to the uterus and together with the higher frequency used in the transducer array results in a much higher resolving power. Using transvaginal scans the fetal heart beat can be more easily seen early in pregnancy. Vaginal scans are also helpful in diagnosing ectopic pregnancies. Fetal abnormalities can be detected using the transvaginal scan in the first trimester and congenital anomalies can be detected during the 2nd trimester.

A doppler ultrasound is another tool doctors use to monitor the well-being of the unborn baby. This particular tool is especially useful in detecting fetal cardiac pulsations (heartbeats).

3-D and 4-D Ultrasound scans:

3-D and 4-D ultrasound scans are used to detect smaller defects such as cleft lips/palate, polydactyl, or spina bifida. Other fetal features can also be helpful such as being able to detect the presence of clubbing of feet, facial dysmorphia, or low-set ears. This type of ultrasound is especially dependent on operator skill, adequate amounts of amniotic fluid, and the position of the fetus and the level of maternal obesity. The ability for moms to see the facial features of their unborn children can have a very helpful bonding effect, which can be important.