La High Resolution Ultrasound and DopplerThey are the ultrasound tests that are performed during pregnancy to find out the state of the baby and find out if the amniotic fluid that surrounds it is adequate. These explorations within the obstetrics they also help to know if the placenta is normal or if it has some structural or functional abnormality.
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At Institute of obstetrics and gynecology in Barcelona, by Dr. Gómez Roig, Expert specialists in High Resolution Ultrasound and Doppler work to accompany you during pregnancy control. Our specialists, within our medical services, They will offer you a close and high-quality professional follow-up.
What is an obstetric ultrasound?
LaObstetric Ultrasound It is one that is performed during pregnancy, transvaginally or abdominally, which studies the viability of the pregnancy, if it evolves as expected, as well as the anatomy and morphology of the fetus.
This obstetric ultrasound also reports on the well-being of your baby inside the womb.
Ultrasounds are part of prenatal diagnosis during pregnancy.
In recent years the field of prenatal diagnosis and obstetric ultrasound have experienced a very important advance. The progress of this subspecialty is due, in part, to the existing improvement in the sonographers used, endowed with better and better technology. The great specialization of the doctors also helps in the improvements of the prenatal diagnosis.
How are they performed during pregnancy?
Ultrasounds that are performed during pregnancy follow the same theory and/or methodology as those performed on non-pregnant people. The only characteristics that change in pregnant women is that depending on the gestational weeks the transducer that is used is placed vaginally or abdominally.
First trimester ultrasound may require transvaginal use up to week 11-13 of pregnancy. From week 13-14 the abdominal transducer is already useful to obtain good images.
Doctors, whenever they perform an examination of this type, use a gel which transmits the signals between the transducer probe and the patient. Usually the gel is somewhat cold, and for this reason it is always advisable to notify the woman before use.
The images obtained with these tests can be frozen, so that doctors without witnessing the movement of the fetus can perform the measurements of interest. In the case of pregnancies, what is measured are the measurements of the fetus. With the fetal biometrics (measures) it is verified that the growth of the future newborn is correct.
How many ultrasound scans in pregnancy are recommended?
Ultrasounds that are recommended in pregnancy low risk are three, one in each trimester of pregnancy. In all obstetric examinations, a system must be followed with well-defined basic objectives.
What types of pregnancy ultrasounds are there?
The pregnancy ultrasound they differ in:
- First trimester
- Second trimester
- Third trimester
- Doppler ultrasound
First Trimester Ultrasound
La First Trimester UltrasoundIt is advisable to do it between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. These weeks are optimal since they coincide with the performance of the first trimester screening for calculating the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
The fetal anatomy is better visualized at 13 weeks, but on the contrary, the performance of the nuchal fold measurement (a risk marker for chromosomal alteration) worsens. For this reason, the optimal age to perform the first trimester ultrasound It is during week 12.
- What is the route of access for the first trimester ultrasound?: The access route used is the abdominal or transvaginal route, depending on the characteristics of the pregnant woman, the situation of the uterus, the fetal position, etc. The use of both routes is correct, and many times the combination of both will be the optimal way to carry out the complete exploration.
- What is studied in the first term? What should be studied is:
- fetal vitality.
- Number of fetuses and type of placenta.
- Gestation age.
- Early anatomical study of the fetus.
- Measurement of nuchal translucency or nuchal fold.
- Study of the circulation of the uterine arteries.
- Detection of uterine and adnexal-ovarian pathology.
- screening of preeclampsia.
This exploration, like the following ones, are important and should always be performed.
At Institute of obstetrics and gynecology of Dr. Gómez Roig Expert specialists in obstetric ultrasound work.
Second Trimester Ultrasound
La Second Trimester UltrasoundIt is recommended to perform between 19-22 weeks of gestation. Although it is feasible to perform it from 18 weeks, if viewing conditions are optimal.
The fundamental objective of second trimester ultrasound, which is also called morphological examination, is the diagnosis of defects or anomalies due to fetal anatomical malformations.
If the study of fetal anatomy cannot be completed during this study, another examination should be scheduled at a later time.
- What is the route of access for the second trimester ultrasound?: The route of exploration is abdominal. On certain occasions, the second trimester can be supplemented vaginally: for the assessment of the breech pole if it is a breech presentation, to determine the cervical length, and the placental insertion.
- What is studied in the second quarter?: What should be studied always follows a defined exploration system. Consensus and accepted protocols improve the detection rate of morphological abnormalities:
- Vitality and fetal attitude.
- Fetal biometrics (measurements of the fetus).
- Evaluation of the annexes: placenta and umbilical cord.
- Assessment of amniotic fluid.
- Study of fetal anatomy.
- Markers of chromosomal abnormalities.
- Doppler of uterine arteries (circulation study).
- Cervical length measurement and prematurity screening.
This exploration, like the first and third trimester, is very important and should always be performed.
Third Trimester Ultrasound
La Third Trimester Ultrasound Its main objective is the diagnosis of growth restriction and the detection of late fetal abnormalities, evolutionary or that have gone unnoticed in the second trimester.
- What is the access route? third trimester ultrasound?: The route of exploration is abdominal. On certain occasions it can be supplemented vaginally: for the assessment of the breech pole in fetal breech presentations, study of the cervical length, as well as the insertion of the placenta.
- What is studied in the third quarter?: The examination system includes:
- Vitality and fetal static.
- The study of the placenta.
- Study of amniotic fluid.
- Fetal biometry (fetal measurements and study of growth).
- Study of fetal anatomy.
This test, like the first and second trimester tests, should always be performed.
At Institute of obstetrics and gynecology of Dr. Gómez Roig Expert specialists in obstetric ultrasound work.
In cases of risk or where a pathology such as pregnancy hypertension or fetuses with fetal growth restriction is detected, a more specialized study called Doppler Ultrasound is required.
Doppler ultrasound
La Doppler ultrasoundstudies the flow of blood that passes through the arteries and veins that connect the mother, the placenta and the fetus.
Studying Doppler ultrasound It allows us to know the amount of blood flow in the circulation, its speed and its resistance at a specific moment.
This study is a variety of the ultrasound traditional, which is used to check the functioning of the placenta and the state of the baby in risk pregnancies such as pregnancy hypertension, and fetuses that do not grow well inside the uterus. In multiple or twin pregnancies, Doppler ultrasound is also useful.
High Resolution Ultrasound and DopplerIt is the test that is performed during pregnancy that most excites the mother and family members.
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What happens if I perform more Scans than recommended?
If you perform more than the three examinations recommended in the current protocols, nothing happens.
Ultrasounds do not present adverse effects for the mother or the fetus. Sometimes when you visit your doctor, you and your doctor like to check the fetal heartbeat with the ultrasound machine. This practice is not harmful by itself.
On the other hand, the three tests of the first, second and third trimester have well-defined objectives. The rest of the explorations that are carried out outside of this protocol will be done to provide satisfaction and tranquility to the family and the professional, rather than to study possible pathologies.
In high-risk pregnancies, additional explorations with ultrasounds are usually added with their own objectives and in a preventive manner.
It is the doctors who decide the recommended tests of High Resolution Ultrasounds and Doppler after individualizing each case.
At Institute of obstetrics and gynecology of Dr. Gómez Roig Expert specialists work in Barcelona in this type of ultrasound, as well as in the human and professional accompaniment of pregnant women.
Where can you find us
We are located at the Corachan Clinic, Plaça Manuel Corachan, 4 08017 Barcelona. On the second floor, offices 202-203 and 220-221.
