Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) of the fetus is the main method of diagnosis during pregnancy. How many times a pregnant woman should do an ultrasound of the fetus, the gynecologist who observes her determines. The goals of fetal ultrasound are different, depending on what period of pregnancy it is performed, according to Pannochka, an online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old.. net Usually, the number of planned (mandatory) ultrasound does not exceed 5 times:.

To determine the pregnancy itself - approximately for a period of 5 - 7 weeks;

To assess the development of the fetus inside the womb, as well as the condition of the mother's placenta and the exclusion of malformations. An ultrasound of the fetal heart is performed - for a period of 11 - 13 weeks;

To exclude malformations, assess the condition of the placenta and amniotic fluid in it, as well as to determine the sex of the child. Be sure to determine the size of the fetus by ultrasound and ultrasound of the fetal heart - for a period of 19 - 21 weeks;

To determine the approximate weight of the child and the condition of the umbilical cord, as well as the commensurability of the size of his head and the birth canal of the mother. The size of the fetus is determined by ultrasound - for a period of 32 - 34 weeks;

To prepare for childbirth, to anticipate possible complications - immediately before childbirth, with the first contractions or when amniotic fluid breaks.

The main types of fetal ultrasound and how they are performed There are such basic methods of fetal ultrasound as:.

Transabdominal (sensor is located on the woman's abdomen);

Transvaginal (transducer inserted into the vagina).

Both types of procedure are completely painless for a woman, and ultrasound is not harmful to the fetus..

Transvaginal ultrasound is more accurate. Recently, three-dimensional and four-dimensional fetal ultrasound are considered to be very common ways to obtain additional information about pregnancy..

3D or 3D ultrasound uses a sophisticated computer program that provides a three-dimensional image of the fetus, which is based on two-dimensional (flat) images.. In fact, 3D ultrasound allows you to get an accurate photo of the fetus.. Currently, this diagnostic method is used for early detection of fetal malformations that could be missed during conventional ultrasound.. For example, with the help of ultrasound of the fetal heart, malformations in the development of the organ can be detected..

Four-dimensional or 4D-ultrasound of the fetus allows you to see a three-dimensional image of the child in real time, while his movements and the work of all internal organs are visible.

Expectant mothers are often concerned about the question of whether ultrasound is harmful to the fetus.. So, modern ultrasound machines are completely harmless to mother and unborn baby.. In addition, they allow not only to determine the size of the fetus by ultrasound, to make an ultrasound of the fetal heart, but also to print photos and record videos..

Doppler ultrasound is used to perform an ultrasound of the fetal heart. This device makes it possible to study the blood circulation in the blood vessels, in the heart of the child and in the umbilical cord, as well as in the vessels of the mother's placenta.. Doppler ultrasound data is important for identifying potential health problems in a child at an early stage:.

Malformations of the heart;

Anomalies of the blood vessels;

Problems with the placenta.

Doctors recommend Doppler ultrasound for all pregnant women at 12 and (or) 20 weeks of gestation.

An unscheduled ultrasound gynecologist may prescribe in the following cases:.

Bloody discharge from the genital tract;

Pain in the lower abdomen.

Frequent repetition of ultrasound for the fetus is not harmful and absolutely does not harm the normal development of the child..

In order to correctly determine the size of the fetus by ultrasound, to reliably assess the results of ultrasound by deciphering the ultrasound of the fetus, a pregnant woman needs to know the basic rules for preparing for this procedure. First, you need to find out what type of ultrasound is prescribed (through the vagina or through the abdomen). The way to prepare for an ultrasound depends on this:.

When performing a transabdominal ultrasound, drink at least 1 liter of water approximately 2 hours in advance and do not go to the toilet before the procedure;

When performing a transvaginal ultrasound, the bladder had to be empty, therefore, before the procedure, you need to go to the toilet.

In addition, a woman before the procedure does not need to be nervous and wonder if ultrasound is harmful to the fetus..

Deciphering fetal ultrasoundThe norms of indicators and parameters used to decipher fetal ultrasound may vary, depending on the duration of pregnancy. Deciphering the ultrasound of the fetus is performed by a doctor, using special tables.

The size of the fetus by ultrasound is determined by the following indicators:.

Fetal head circumference (HC);

Biparietal diameter (BPD);

Crown to sacrum length (CRL);

Femur Length (FL).

When deciphering the ultrasound of the fetus, the amount of amniotic fluid (amniotic fluid) is determined. A deviation from the norm of this parameter, up or down, may indicate disorders in the development of the nervous system or kidneys of the fetus, as well as a signal of intrauterine infection.

Much attention when deciphering the ultrasound of the fetus is given to the state of the placenta (children's place). Ultrasound determines the following parameters of the placenta:.

Thickness;

Maturity;

Features of its attachment;

The state of its development (for example, presentation).

Determination of the sex of the child using ultrasound usually occurs at the third planned ultrasound (after the 20th week of pregnancy). The degree of accuracy in determining sex by this method is no more than 90%.

When deciphering the ultrasound of the fetus, it becomes possible to identify the following developmental anomalies:.

Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cranial cavity, which threatens the normal development of the brain.;

Anencephaly - complete absence of the brain (deadly diagnosis);

Myelomeningocele is a herniated spinal cord that seriously threatens the development of a child's brain and spinal cord.;

Spina bifida - the process of spina bifida. This threatens the normal development of the spinal cord in a child.;

Infection (atresia) of the duodenum is an anomaly that requires urgent surgery immediately after the birth of a child, due to which it is possible to restore intestinal patency;

Malformations of the fetus with ultrasound of the heart - deviations in its structure, which disrupts blood circulation in the heart of the child. It is important to identify this in order, in case of a dangerous defect, to perform an operation immediately after childbirth.;

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which there are multiple malformations and mental retardation of the child neboleem. net.