By Admin,
You will be surprised to know that worldwide, 1.4 million stillbirths occur before labour and 1.2 million deaths take place during labour, according to figures provided by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH).
The reasons for pre-labour and in-labour stillbirths are many. But, most stillbirth cases can be preventable, with the help of efficient monitoring through pregnancy ultrasound scans.
So, if you are an expecting mother, getting periodic obstetric ultrasonography (USG) needs to remain one of your top priorities.
What is Obstetric Ultrasound?
Also known as prenatal ultrasound scan, it is widely used to assess the uterus during pregnancy. This is mainly done to screen the fetus for any abnormalities and birth defects. The number of embryos and pregnancy location can also be determined with an obstetric ultrasound.
It is a painless process in which the picture of the fetus is produced by passing sound waves inside the body. A small transducer is used on the skin to make sure high frequency waves from the probe moves into the body. The sound which bounces back is collected by the probe and an image is created on the computer screen.
Why Is USG Critical in Pregnancy?
Movement of the foetus and its heartbeat can be examined through this ultrasound. There are a host of other benefits too.
- Checking if the amniotic fluid around the baby is intact
- Determining if there are multiple pregnancies
- Detecting if the baby has any birth defects or hereditary conditions
- Checking the position of the placenta and the fetus
- Monitoring fetal growth, development and well being
- Ensuring the fetus is alive and healthy
- Checking for any opening or shortening of the cervix
Obstetric Ultrasound can be performed through two common methods.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
A probe is inserted inside the vagina to get a picture of the placenta, cervix and the fetus. It is mostly done to determine the fetus health and how many babies you are pregnant with. Other than this, the doctor might also check your fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries and the overall health of your reproductive organs during pregnancy. This is a safe and painless procedure and does not take more than 15-30 minutes at the most.
Abdominal Ultrasound
This ultrasound can be performed at any pregnancy stage. In this method, the health care specialist will apply a gel and glide a transducer on the abdomen area. High frequency sound waves help produce the image of the fetus on screen. Gestational age can also be determined with an abdominal ultrasound.
Obstetric ultrasonography is fast and has zero complications. The transducer used is a little wider than your finger and hardly causes any discomforts. All you have to do is lie down with your knees bent and the rest will be handled by the healthcare professionals.
However, keep in mind that this ultrasound cannot determine all fetal abnormalities. You might have to go through blood tests and amniocentesis for minute detections. Get in touch with a qualified gynaecologist to know your option
