Ultrasound imaging has been a very useful diagnostic tool in pregnancy since it was invented. This imaging procedure exposes a pregnant woman’s abdomen to high-frequency sound waves to be able to produce images of the fetus and the condition inside the womb. Unlike in x-rays that uses radiation; ultrasound imaging does not have any harmful effects to the mother or the baby.
Pregnancy ultrasound or also known as prenatal or obstetrics ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure. There are several types but the most common procedure is the topical ultrasound. This is done by applying a gel on the abdomen as a medium to be able to let the transducer glide and secure contact in the skin.
An ultrasound procedure is recommended for women who are in their 20th week of pregnancy. This is useful in knowing if there are any abnormalities in the pregnancy or the fetus, knowing the estimated age of the fetus, evaluating the position of the fetus and the placenta, knowing the amount of amniotic fluid and checking the cervix condition. This is also the time where the gender of the baby can be determined.
Undergoing an ultrasound procedure can provide big benefits to those who have certain abnormalities in their pregnancy. There are certain conditions where immediate attention is required to be able to ensure the safety of the mother and the baby during pregnancy.
The other type of pregnancy ultrasound is the transvaginal ultrasound, this is an uncommon procedure done to pregnant women, but is done early in pregnancy when a problem is suspected. A little bit uncomfortable, this procedure is done by inserting a probe inside a woman’s vagina to be able to produce a clearer view of the placenta and uterus.
At present there are newer kinds of pregnancy ultrasounds that are able to produce high quality images of the fetus. There is the 3D and the 4D ultrasound. 3D produces lifelike images of the fetus instead of the flat image in the traditional 2D ultrasound, while 4D shows a live video clip of the baby.
