What You Need to Know About Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans

What Is an Ultrasound?

An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body. During a pregnancy ultrasound, a technician uses a small transducer to send sound waves into the uterus. The waves bounce off the baby and then form an image on a monitor. This image helps doctors assess your baby’s size, position, age, and overall health.

Types of Pregnancy Scans

There are two main types of pregnancy ultrasound: diagnostic and screening tests. Diagnostic ultrasound is used to look for abnormalities in the fetus or placenta and can be done at any stage in the pregnancy. This type of ultrasound provides detailed images that can help diagnose potential problems with your baby’s growth or development. Screening ultrasounds are usually done between 16-20 weeks into the pregnancy and are used to check for possible birth defects or chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome or Trisomy 18. These tests can also help determine if there is more than one fetus present (twins), as well as provide information about fetal growth rate and estimated due date.

• 3D/4D Scans

These scans offer a three-dimensional or four-dimensional view of your baby rather than the traditional two-dimensional view. These scans can provide you with a more lifelike image of your baby, which can be beneficial in bonding with your child before they are born. Additionally, these scans can also be used to detect certain birth defects.

• Gender Scans

A gender scan is a type of ultrasound that is used to determine the sex of your baby. This type of scan is typically performed between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. While the accuracy of gender scans varies, most are accurate in determining the sex of your baby.

• Growth Scans

A growth scan is a type of ultrasound used to assess your baby’s growth and development. This type of scan is typically performed between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Growth scans can be used to detect certain birth defects and monitor the growth of your baby if you are considered at high risk for complications such as preterm labor.

• Anomaly Scans

An anomaly scan is a type of ultrasound used to check for any structural abnormalities in your baby. This type of scan is typically performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Anomaly scans can detect a wide range of abnormalities, including heart defects, kidney problems, and skeletal dysplasias.

• Doppler Scans

A Doppler scan is a type of ultrasound that uses sound waves to measure blood flow through the umbilical cord and placenta. This type of scan is typically performed between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Doppler scans can be used to detect placental problems, as well as umbilical cord problems such as true knotting.

Benefits of Pregnancy Ultrasound

In addition to helping identify potential problems with your baby’s development, ultrasounds also have other benefits for expecting mothers. For example, ultrasounds can provide valuable information about the position of the placenta (the organ responsible for nourishing your baby) so that your doctor can ensure it remains healthy throughout your pregnancy. Additionally, most moms-to-be enjoy seeing their child’s face for the first time during an ultrasound; it’s often an unforgettable experience!

Better to Be Safe Than Sorry

Pregnancy ultrasounds provide many benefits to expecting mothers by helping identify potential problems with their baby’s development and allowing them to bond with their unborn child before its birthday.

If you’re pregnant, it’s important to understand all aspects of prenatal care, including what happens during an ultrasound, to ensure both you and your baby remain healthy throughout this life-changing journey.