Obstetric Ultrasound

The Wide Use Of Obstetric Ultrasound

Ultrasound imaging uses high frequency sound waves to penetrate a medium. These waves reflect off of objects within and from that reflection a picture can be formed. Ultrasound imaging is used in many applications in medicine for purposes of viewing various structures in the body and for locating and diagnosing problems, to help give an internal view while performing surgical procedures and even for treatment of certain ailments.

Even with all of its applications, the most commonly known use of ultrasound is in obstetrics. An obstetric ultrasound is the most accurate way for many measurements and diagnosis of both the mother and the fetus. It is noninvasive and almost completely safe, especially when compared with alternate methods of viewing the fetus and internal organs.

In the United States it is common for women to have one ultrasound routinely during their pregnancy, about mid way through. If there are complications or the pregnancy is high risk, other ultrasound sonograms may be called for as needed. It is up to the obstetrician to determine the need for an additional obstetric ultrasound.

At the routine pregnancy ultrasound, the ultrasound technician can gather quite a bit of important information that will help give your doctor a good idea of how your pregnancy is progressing as well as giving a heads up of any potential complications to come, even at delivery many weeks away.

The basic things that are recorded are the size of the fetus. Measurements of the head, the fetus and various other parts of the body are taken and compared with the age of the fetus to determine a more accurate due date, as well as if there are any problems in growth that may signify certain abnormalities or defects. The baby's heart is also recorded and its function, beating, and the condition of the chambers are all noted in the ultrasound report. Kidneys and other organs are checked as well.

Apart from the condition of the fetus, note is taken of the amount of amniotic fluid, location of the placenta and other details. This is important because if the placement of the placenta is unusual, it may be impossible for the baby to be born vaginally, and a c-section must be scheduled when the time comes.

The ultrasound sonogram taken during pregnancy can be extremely important, particularly for women with at-risk pregnancies. However, it is also a joyous occasion for the parents to see their child and often to find out the sex of the baby. The printout from an ultrasound scan is part of many baby’s album from their infancy as the first “picture” of them.

Obstetric ultrasound report is an important part of every woman's pregnancy, whether there are complications or not.

 

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