Ultrasound

From WikiParenting

Ultrasound is a technique that uses high frequency sound waves sent through a transducer into a pregnant woman’s uterus via either the abdomen or the vagina to show a picture of the baby. An ultrasound provides information the doctor uses to make healthcare decisions. The picture of the baby obtained through this method is a sonogram. The process is also known as sonography. The process can take 10 to 30 minutes for a basic exam and longer for more involved examinations. Sonograms can be obtained at any time during pregnancy depending upon the reason for the testing.

[edit] Does it hurt?

The ultrasound procedure is painless for the mother and baby. They are safe when administered by healthcare providers, and have no known risks.

[edit] How is it performed?

A thin layer of gel is applied to the abdomen to enhance the process of obtaining a sonogram. A basic ultrasound exam in the first trimester will check the size and heart activity of the fetus, as well as the condition of the mother’s uterus. Ultrasounds performed in the second or third trimester would check these things as well as the condition of the amniotic fluid, and the baby’s anatomy.

[edit] What are they used for?

Ultrasounds are used in prenatal care to diagnose conditions such as:

• Ectopic pregnancy, a condition where the embryo implants outside of the

• Miscarriage, to confirm fetal death

• Multiple gestation, or the presence of more than one baby

• Gestational age, if done early in pregnancy measurements can be taken to estimate the age of the fetus

• Spina Bifida, a neural tube defect also known as open spine

• Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that results in varying degrees of mental retardation and other disorders

• Fetal growth problems

• Bleeding problems

• Problems with the placenta

• Problems with the amniotic fluid

Ultrasound technology is also used as a guiding tool when performing amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

Ultrasounds are a helpful tool in diagnosing birth defects when used in conjunction with blood tests or other technologies. An ultrasound alone will only catch birth defects about half the time.