Why
a Pregnancy Ultrasound Is Necessary?
Your
pregnancy may benefit greatly from a prenatal ultrasound. Getting a prenatal
ultrasound can help you decide what to do next, whether your pregnancy was
intended or unexpected. You can see a picture of your unborn child while he or
she is growing within your womb thanks to prenatal ultrasounds. They can assist
your doctor in determining whether you and your unborn child are both healthy.
Read
on to find out more about pregnancy ultrasounds and when you should think about
getting one if you're not sure whether you should or not.
What
is a pregnancy ultrasound?
A
sonogram, which is another name for a prenatal ultrasound, uses sound waves to
create an image of your growing child. One can be used to view your uterus and
ovaries as well. Ionizing radiation isn't used in ultrasounds; therefore, they
are completely safe for both you and your baby.
Early
in the first trimester, some women receive one ultrasound to confirm their
pregnancy. To make sure the baby is developing normally and there are no other
issues, your doctor may also advise having another one before 24 weeks of
pregnancy.
The
majority of pregnant women receive standard ultrasounds, however, there are
more sophisticated options that offer 3- and 4-dimensional imaging for a more
thorough study of the foetus.
Who
should get a pregnancy ultrasound?
In
particular, if a woman has taken multiple pregnancy tests and received
conflicting results, she should get at least one pregnancy ultrasound to
confirm her pregnancy. Between weeks 18 and 22, women should get at least one
ultrasound, according to the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, to look for any genetic anomalies or other problems that might
need quick attention.
Parents
may want a pregnancy ultrasound for non-medical reasons, including to find out
the gender of their unborn child. Although sonograms are safe, most medical
professionals advise against using them frequently if there is no medical need
to do so.
Between 18 and 22 weeks, a second pregnancy ultrasound may be advised to assess the baby's health.
What happens during a sonogram?
Early
in your pregnancy, a transvaginal sonogram is required since the foetus is only
around 2 cm long and might not be visible on conventional ultrasound. During
the process, your ultrasound technician takes extra steps to safeguard both
your health and safety and the safety of your developing baby. Although it
could feel a little uneasy, transvaginal ultrasound shouldn't hurt.
A
full bladder may be required of you during your pregnancy ultrasound. Although
having a full bladder may seem like a terrible idea, doing so puts your uterus
in the best position for a sonogram, which results in a better image.
You
can anticipate that your technician will be looking for the following details
during the initial sonogram:
· Pregnancy
Confirmation.
· Beat
of the foetus.
· Fetal
weight.
· Either
a single pregnancy or several.
· Foetal
viability
Before
the ultrasound, be careful to consult the sonographer or another dependable
healthcare professional if you have any questions. Before the procedure, some
providers of prenatal ultrasounds give complimentary counselling to pregnant
mothers.
Should
you have an ultrasound for genetic testing?
Your
OBGYN can suggest a pregnancy ultrasound for genetic screening later in your
pregnancy. Although it's not necessary, you could find the knowledge valuable.
Before determining whether to undergo genetic screening, consider the following
questions.
· Do
birth abnormalities or disorders run in my family?
· If
there was a chance of a genetic problem, would I end my pregnancy?
· Would
being aware of any hereditary flaws make it simpler to mentally and physically
get ready to parent?
Any
of these questions can have either a correct or incorrect response. You can
come to a decision by discussing them with a reputable medical professional or
pregnancy counsellor.
Where
can you obtain an ultrasound during pregnancy?
Free
limited pregnancy ultrasounds are available at Care Net Pregnancy Centers of
Albuquerque. Six weeks after the start of your last period, our staff performs
a prenatal ultrasound to determine whether you are indeed pregnant. To find out
the gestational age and the viability of your pregnancy, use our free,
restricted ultrasound. Throughout your pregnancy, we do not give additional
pregnancy ultrasounds; however, we can direct you to a healthcare professional
who does.
If
you have any concerns or need any additional care or services that Care Net
does not offer, you are welcome to discuss the prenatal ultrasound we perform
with your usual healthcare physician. Please get in touch with any of our
convenient locations to arrange your free limited pregnancy ultrasound.