Fetal Medicine

Pregnancy comes with a mixture of emotions and millions of questions. The responsibility of your baby growing within you is great, yet the the outcome is to be treasured.

The journey to becoming a parent is not easy, and it can be overwhelming! That is why every pregnant mother is very aware of and curious to know about the well-being of her child. So hang in there, mama! You are not the only one to wonder about what is happening and what is to come in the near future.

Technology has revolutionized the world of healthcare and has provided answers to the expectant mothers out there. It has catered answers to all the inquisitive families about the growing baby’s health, development and more. Yes, with the help of ultrasound you can know the health of the growing baby inside you.

What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a type of imaging technique that uses harmless high-frequency sound waves rather than radiation to look at structures and organs inside the body.

What is pregnancy ultrasound?

A pregnancy ultrasound is used to check the health of the baby and the mother’s reproductive organs.

It is also known as a sonogram. Here the doctor or the healthcare specialist monitors the fetal development and checks if there are any potential problems or threat.

With the advancement in technology, along with a standard one, there are many different types of ultrasounds. They are:

3-D ultrasound :
A 3-D ultrasound gives three-dimensional details of the growing baby. It allows your doctor to see the width, height, and depth of the fetus and the mother’s organs. The 3-D ultrasound follows the same procedure as the standard 2-D ultrasound but uses a unique probe and software to craft the 3-D image.
3-D ultrasound is very helpful in finding out any suspected problems during the pregnancy.
4-D ultrasound :
A 4-D or a dynamic 3-D ultrasound is similar to the standard 3-D ultrasound, but it creates a moving video of the fetus with better resolution of the baby’s face and movements.
Transvaginal ultrasound :
A transvaginal ultrasound is used during the early stages of pregnancy to get more resolution in the image captured (more precise than the standard ultrasound) of the growing fetus. It is named so because a small ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina (rests against the back of the vagina) while the images are being taken.
Fetal echo-cardiography :
Fetal echo-cardiography is performed to look into the details at the fetus heart (heart’s size, shape, and structure). It is suggested if your doctor suspects any congenital heart defects and to find out how your baby’s heart is functioning.

What to expect while undergoing an ultrasound?

An ultrasound test is a very simple procedure. Once you meet the technician/ doctor, you are asked to lie on a table straight facing upward. A gel is applied to the lower abdominal region. The gel acts as a conductive medium which makes the bond between the skin and the probe or transducer stronger. Then he/she moves the transducer over the part of your body. The transducer transfers sound waves which bounce off the body tissues and captures the wave that bounces back creating an image from the sound waves.

Is pregnancy ultrasound safe?

Yes, completely! A recent study confirms that multiple ultrasound examinations during pregnancy do not cause any harmful lasting effect to the developing fetus. It is a safe and accurate way to keep track of the health of your growing little one.

Therefore, a regular doctor’s check-up is a must for you and your bundle of joy!