
Performing the first ultrasound is one of the most important moments expected by mothers and fathers, since it allows seeing and hearing the fetus for the first time, which is of great importance on an emotional level, however, the primary function of ultrasound is the option to track the fetus , monitor its development and detect the presence of any abnormality in pregnancy.
Three ultrasound exams are usually performed throughout pregnancy, although on certain occasions it may be necessary to carry out some more.Being a simple technique without radiation or exposure, is completely safe for both the mother and the baby.In this ONsalus article we explain everything you need to know about the ultrasound in pregnancy .
What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging technique that works using ultrasound waves and allows the development of the fetus inside the mother's uterus to be visualized.These waves act colliding with the various tissues that make up the human body, such as skin, fat, muscle or bone; subsequently they are collected by the same probe that emits them, analyzed and presented in the form of images on the screen.This process is possible thanks to the action of the known gel that is applied directly on the mother's belly and that functions as a transmitter.
The most traditional ultrasound is the two-dimensional (2D) , but currently the 3D mode is also used, which offers volumetric images, and in 4D through which you can see the movement of the fetus in real time.

What is the use of ultrasound?
Thanks to this process it is possible to study the growth of the baby in elutero and check its wellbeing.By means of ultrasound, characteristics of the fetus can be determined such as its position, gestational age, weight , the state of the placenta or the amount of amniotic fluid available to you, however, the importance of this procedure lies in the possibility of detecting any abnormality, malformation or pathology in the baby and even fetal death.
Sometimes, before starting with the three routine ultrasounds, a pre-test is done in the first few weeks to confirm that there is pregnancy.This is often a vaginal ultrasound , since the fetus is too small.
First ultrasound: week 11-14
On certain occasions, this first ultrasound serves to confirm pregnancy .It is time to determine the gestation time, see if there is more than one embryo, measure the size of the same and check the correct implantation, in addition to performing the nuchal fold test, a marker of suspicion of Down syndrome and Edwards.
Currently, thanks to the improvement of technology and experience, they can see the fetal structures, which allows to discover certain early anomalies if they exist.In addition, it is used to also analyze the mother's reproductive system, thus ruling out uterine or ovarian problems.

Second ultrasound: week 20
Also called morphological ultrasound , allows to study in greater detail the fetus thanks to the growth, development of the organs and the existence of an optimal amount of amniotic fluid, essential in this procedure.considers the most important ultrasound of pregnancy and allows corroborating the correct development of the baby, assessing the heartbeat and movements, controlling the functioning of the placenta and thoroughly studying the fetal anatomy to look for any alteration.If your position allows, you may know the sex of the baby.
Third ultrasound: week 32-36
This is the last ultrasound before the baby is born , so the goal of it is to obtain information for the development of childbirth.On this occasion not only the placental location is determined, the Amount of amniotic fluid and the well-being of the fetus, but also the position inside the delutero is checked, so that a forecast of future difficulties in childbirth can be made, this ultrasound also allows to detect certain anomalies of late appearance.With the same objective, sometimes and later it is decided to carry out the so-called Doppler studies , which analyze the blood flow and diagnose other pathologies.

This article is merely informative, on ONsalus.com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis.We invite you to go to a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Ultrasound in pregnancy , we recommend that you enter our category of Pregnancy and baby's health.
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