Time of scans in the entire pregnancy

Time of scans in the entire pregnancy

An ultrasound or scan during your pregnancy is required by gynaecologists/doctors to get a sneak peek of the baby or the foetus inside the womb. The doctor or a skilled technician makes use of a plastic transducer for transmitting high-frequency sound waves through the mother’s uterus. This is followed by the sound waves sending some signals back to the ultrasound machine, which then converts them into images of your baby.

Why do you need scans during pregnancy?

Your pregnancy scans can help to provide you valuable information about the baby’s health, positioning, monitoring growth, detecting abnormalities, and much more. In addition, they can also predict the delivery due date, help to know if the mother is carrying multiples, check the placenta position and detect the sex of the baby.

Questions that might arise during pregnancy?

Great anxiety resolves around the issue of having scans, ultrasounds and regular checks. How many are enough? How to go for scans in every trimester? When should you schedule your next appointment?

Early Pregnancy Ultrasound (6-8 Weeks)

The first ultrasound, referred to as a sonogram, is to be done at around 6 to 8 weeks of getting pregnant. Depending on case-by-case analysis, some doctors might prefer to undertake this ultrasound only in high-risk pregnancy cases which involves bleeding, abdominal pain, previous miscarriage.

Dating Ultrasound (10-13 Weeks)

In cases, where the first ultrasound is not undertaken, a ‘dating ultrasound’ after around weeks 10-13 is an option.

Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound (14-20 Weeks)

The next ultrasound takes place between 14 and 20 weeks for detecting birth defects such as down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.This helps in measuring hormones, proteins and gauging the thickness at the back of the baby’s neck.

Anatomical Survey (18-20 Weeks)

At about weeks 18 to 20, a thorough checkup is undertaken which lasts for 20 to 45 minutes (in a single baby and longer for multiples).

Third Trimester Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds in the third trimester are required only in high-risk cases of high blood pressure, low levels of amniotic fluid, preterm contractions, or in ages 35+.

Doppler Fetal Monitoring

Mothers suffering from gestational diabetes require another ultrasound in the last trimester for determining if the baby is getting enough blood.

Despite the ultrasounds list staying more or less common throughout cases, the exact number of scans needed may differ case to case.

If you are an expecting mother and have queries about your upcoming ultrasound scans, seek professional assistance from Dr. Seema Gupta, a highly reputed sonography specialist. With a total experience of 20 years in the field of ultrasound, she has been associated with several prestigious hospitals throughout her career including Sundarlal Jain hospital and Maharaja Agrasen hospital as an Ultrasonologist. She also runs her own clinic by the name ‘Dr. Seema’s Ultrasound Clinic’.
To book an appointment, visit: drseemaultrasound.com