Introduction
Pregnancy is an exciting journey, and by closely monitoring the fetus through various tests and ultrasound, the mother can have a healthier and safer pregnancy.
Fetal growth and Doppler scans are very important ultrasounds, especially in the third trimester, to assess the baby’s growth and development.
What are fetal growth and doppler scans?
Fetal Growth Scan:
A fetal growth scan or positioning scan, is an ultrasound that is done to assess the baby’s growth and development. It is typically carried out between 23 and 40 weeks of pregnancy.
Fetal Doppler Scan:
Whereas a fetal doppler scan is an ultrasound that is typically carried out along with a fetal growth scan to assess the baby’s blood flow through the umbilical cord to various parts of the baby’s body.
Is Fetal Growth and Doppler scan are the same?
Although both the fetal growth scan and the fetal doppler scan are carried out together most of the time, they are different from each other.
The growth scan is used to measure the baby’s structures, including the head, the CRL (crown to rump length), and the femur length to assess the baby’s growth.
On the other hand, a doppler scan is performed to check if the blood flows properly through the vessels and it also studies if sufficient oxygen and nutrients the child needs are supplied via the placenta.
In what week is the growth scan done with Doppler?
Ideally, growth scan with doppler is carried out between 23 to 40 weeks of gestation to ensure the health of the fetus.
Is a fetal doppler scan mandatory in pregnancy?
Although a fetal doppler scan is not mandatory, healthcare experts recommend getting a doppler scan along with growth scan to ensure that the baby is safe and sound.
And that being said, a doppler scan is crucial if you are dealing with a high risk pregnancy with complications such as:
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypertension
- History of miscarriage
- Previous baby with anomalies
- History of preterm labor
- Mother carrying multiple babies such as twins, triplets
Why growth and doppler scan needs to be done together?
Growth scan and fetal doppler are performed together to get a clear overview of the baby’s health. Since a growth scan can only tell about the baby’s physical growth, a doppler scan is performed as it gives information about the blood supply to the baby’s organs.
What if the Growth scan and Doppler Scan shows a problem?
If the fetus’s growth scan and doppler scan show a problem, the gynecologist will call for further tests and ultrasounds to closely monitor the baby’s health. The doctor might discuss the results with the couple to make informed decisions.
Conclusion
A fetal growth scan and doppler scan are crucial tools during pregnancy to identify struggling babies and ensure their safety. Growth scan with doppler provides an overview of fetal health and development.
Both are safe and recommended for clear medical needs. If a scan shows a problem, doctors will discuss the results with the patient.
For consultations with the best gynecologist in Chennai, Dr. Deepthi Jammi, contact Jammi Scans at 7338771733. Jammi Scans is one of the best gynecology clinics and scanning centers located in T Nagar, Chennai.
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