Introduction
Pregnancy ultrasound is for every pregnant woman to monitor the viability and growth of the baby. Pregnancy ultrasounds are non-invasive and safe procedures to image the fetus in the womb. In this article, let’s discuss the important ultrasound in pregnancy.
What is an Ultrasound Scan?
An ultrasound, also called a sonogram scan for pregnant women, is used to generate images of the baby to monitor its growth and viability.
The ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the baby with the use of a transducer. A thick layer of lubrication gel is applied to the abdomen region to improve the image quality.
3 Important Ultrasound in Pregnancy
Why are Ultrasound Scans in Pregnancy Important?
Every ultrasound scan in pregnancy has its own significance.
- First ultrasound: The first ultrasound is used to check the viability and the heartbeat of the fetus. It is carried out around 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy.
- NT Scan: NT scan or Nuchal Translucency scan is one of the important ultrasounds during pregnancy. It used to predict the chances of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby if any. NT Scan is usually done around 11 to 13 weeks of pregnancy.
- Anomaly scan: Anomaly scan also called the 5th month scan is one of the other important ultrasound in pregnancy. It is carried out around 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy to see the baby’s important structures like spine, heart, limbs, arms, etc.
- Growth scan: Growth is done during the 28 to 32 weeks that is the last trimester of pregnancy to monitor the development of the baby, placenta, amniotic fluid , etc. It is also one of the important scans in pregnancy.
Why is Transvaginal Ultrasound Done in Early Pregnancy?
First pregnancy Ultrasound that is done around 6 to 8 weeks is mostly a transvaginal ultrasound to monitor the fetus clearly.
Since the size of the fetus is very small and it is still in the developing stage, a transvaginal ultrasound can carefully generate the image of the fetus and monitor its viability.
Which Week of Ultrasound is Important During Pregnancy?
According to healthcare experts, each and every ultrasound is important during pregnancy. The 3 most important ultrasound in pregnancy are :
Pregnancy Ultrasound scans provide important insights about the baby’s health. It is recommended to never skip any scans during pregnancy or routine checkups to ensure the well-being of the fetus and the mother-to-be.
We hope this blog about the importance of ultrasounds in pregnancy was helpful. For gynecology consultations and scans, contact Jammi Scans, T Nagar, Chennai.
Chennai Women’s Clinic is now Jammi Scans
FAQ
1. Is ultrasound safe during pregnancy?
Yes, ultrasound scans are absolutely safe during pregnancy as they use sound waves. It is even safer than x-rays, which use radiation to generate images.
2. When is the first scan done in pregnancy?
The first pregnancy ultrasound scan, also called the dating scan, is done around 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy.
3. When is the NT scan done?
The NT scan, or nuchal translucency scan, is done around 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy to predict the chances of any chromosomal abnormality in the baby.
4. When is the growth scan done in pregnancy?
The growth scans during pregnancy are done around 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy to monitor the baby’s well-being, growth, etc.
5. When is the last ultrasound during pregnancy?
The last ultrasound during pregnancy is usually the growth scan, which is done around 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy.
6. How Soon After Ultrasound Do You Get Results?
The time taken to get results after a pregnancy ultrasound usually varies and depends upon the centre where you take the scan and other factors.
But at Jammi Scans, T Nagar, we usually provide the scan results instantly after the procedure.
Deepthi
Dr. Deepthi Jammi (Director, Jammi Scans) is a qualified OB/GYN and Post-Doc in Maternal Fetal Medicine. As a pregnancy ultrasound expert, she is passionate about healthy pregnancies and works towards spreading awareness on the latest diagnostic options available for parents to choose from. Dr.Deepthi has received gold medals and awards in Fetal Medicine at international and national conferences, and has appeared in numerous prestigious regional magazines and TV interviews.