Table of Contents
- 1 What is an ultrasound?
- 2 Why is an ultrasound done?
- 3 How is an ultrasound done?
- 4 Do you need any special preparation before having an ultrasound?
- 5 What are the risks of having an ultrasound?
- 6 How many times do you get an ultrasound during pregnancy?
- 7 How much do ultrasounds cost?
- 8 How accurate are ultrasounds in determining conception date?
- 9 When does an ultrasound tell the gender of the baby?
- 10 What kind of regular scans could be available throughout pregnancy?
What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a diagnostic method based on high-frequency sound waves. Images obtained from this method provide physicians with valuable diagnostic information. In addition, ultrasound is a painless method and is very effective in cases such as pregnancy. Ultrasound during pregnancy helps monitor the development of the unborn baby.
Why is an ultrasound done?
Ultrasound helps doctors:
- Diagnose gallbladder diseases
- Check blood flow
- Evaluate thyroid function
- Recognize prostate and genital problems
- Examine joint inflammation
- Examine the breast lump
It should be noted that the applications of ultrasound are not limited to the above. Your doctor may ask you to have this test for a variety of reasons.
How is an ultrasound done?
First, the gel is rubbed on the areas to be examined. In this way, sound waves are transmitted better, and clear images are created. The technician then moves a small transducer over the skin to send sound waves into the body to create images. In some cases, the transducer is inserted into the vagina or rectum instead of the skin. In this way, organs such as the rectum, vagina, and ovaries are examined.
Do you need any special preparation before having an ultrasound?
In most cases, no special preparation is needed to perform the ultrasound. However, in some cases, such as a gallbladder ultrasound, your doctor will ask you to avoid eating and drinking for a certain time before the test. For pelvic ultrasound, the bladder must be full. Therefore, you should drink water before the test and do not urinate until the test is over.
What are the risks of having an ultrasound?
Fortunately, ultrasound is a safe imaging technique because low-power sound waves are used in this test. Unfortunately, this method has its limitations because sound waves cannot pass through air or bone well. Therefore, ultrasound is not a good choice for imaging organs such as the head or lungs.
You must remove clothing and metal objects, such as jewelry, before the test.
How many times do you get an ultrasound during pregnancy?
The ultrasound during pregnancy gets done mostly two times. “The first one is in the first trimester to confirm the due date. And the second one is between 18-22 weeks to determine the baby’s sex and normal anatomy confirmation. The ultrasound also helps doctors to monitor the baby’s growth, his/her health, the position of your placenta, and whether you are carrying multiples or not.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) indicates that “there has been no report that the diagnostic ultrasound procedures have harmed a fetus.” However, the ACOG encourages not to use ultrasounds for non-medical purposes during pregnancy.
How much do ultrasounds cost?
The cost of ultrasound is up to different factors. First, it depends on the region you reside. It varies for states and cities. Whether you are under insurance coverage or not is also a factor. The type of ultrasound services you receive also determines the cost. The cost is also different for the center you receive the service. For instance, Large hospitals with higher administrative costs may charge you more. Before doing the ultrasound, ask if there are any additional costs or not.
Contact Health and Care to know about the cost of ultrasound in Las Vegas.
How accurate are ultrasounds in determining conception date?
Ultrasounds can determine an accurate estimate of the time pregnant women received the baby. The ultrasound compares the growth of the fetus to the standard growth rates. The fetus often follows the same pattern in growth almost every time. By looking at some differentiating features and the size, ultrasounds can provide an accurate estimate.
When women find out they are pregnant, they want to know the due date right away. However, the conception date is also important to them:
- Examine pregnancy options
- Access prenatal care
- Whether to continue pregnancy or not
- Dos and don’ts of the pregnancy period they are in.
When does an ultrasound tell the gender of the baby?
Your doctor might schedule an ultrasound at about 18 to 21 weeks of your pregnancy. However, the accuracy might not be precise if it’s done early. The accuracy rate after the 13 weeks is between 99%-100%. Often the baby could be in an awkward position and make the result wrong.
What kind of regular scans could be available throughout pregnancy?
Several types of scans are commonly advised and provided during pregnancy. However, you have the option of having an ultrasound.
Dating scan
The dating scan is often performed during the first trimester. However, it can be performed anytime between 6 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. This ultrasound can establish the viability of your pregnancy and predict your baby’s due date. It can also confirm the number of infants you are carrying and ensure that your baby is growing normally in your uterus and is not ectopic.
Nuchal translucency scan
This scan (also known as a “12-week scan”) is often performed at 12 weeks of pregnancy. However, it can be performed anytime between 11 weeks and 13 weeks, 6 days of pregnancy. One of the important measurements collected during this ultrasound is referred to as ‘nuchal translucency.’ This measurement gives some information to help you determine your baby’s chance of having a chromosomal issue. Suppose you opt to undergo additional prenatal screening. In that case, the ultrasound results may be coupled with a blood test to determine the likelihood that your baby has a chromosomal issue, such as Down syndrome.
Morphology scan
A morphology scan (sometimes known as a ‘fetal anomaly scan’) is an ultrasound that is often performed between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy. It examines your baby’s bodily organs, especially their structure and growth, and estimates their gestational age and size based on these data. This can also evaluate your baby’s heart rate and rhythm, as well as if your placenta is close to or above the cervix and that it is long and closed. In addition, this scan may disclose your baby’s sex depending on its location; however, this information will be provided if asked.
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